Bates, Melanie

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY252657 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Shirley Wilkes

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since April 2003. She lives with her partner and their two children aged 10 and five years in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport, which is close to shops, parks and the library. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development and enjoy their time in this welcoming and inclusive setting. Most of the required information is gathered and maintained to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Policies and procedures are inclusive and implemented effectively to promote children's welfare and most documentation is complete. The childminder has established a good partnership with parents and others to ensure that the needs of all children are successfully met. The childminder shows commitment and capacity to improve the quality of her care and has identified some of her strengths and areas for improvement.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 obtain information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision, regarding who has legal contact with the child, and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 29/02/2012

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 develop further the evaluation systems in place to include the views of parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She has undertaken safeguard training and has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she was to have a concern about a child in her care. She has developed a well-written safeguarding policy which she has shared with parents, which helps to further safeguard children. Most of the required documentation is in place for the children, however, information regarding who has legal contact with the child, and who has parental responsibility for the child has not been obtained, which could compromise children's safety and well- being.

p.5

the early years provision

Risk assessments are completed for the home by the childminder to ensure children's safety. However, the fire blanket has not been fixed to the wall to allow for easy access. Written risk assessments for outings out of the home to ensure children's safety and well-being are in place. The childminder provides a welcoming environment for the children with a good selection of toys and resources that are well maintained and organised effectively enabling children to access them independently. Space within the setting is used well allowing children to play and relax as needed. Excellent emphasis is given to supporting children's good health, with effective procedures in place to limit cross-infection.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are encouraged to share resources and understand and respect the values of others. They access a good selection of resources available depicting positive images of diversity and take part in activities to help them become aware of the wider world. Parents are provided with good quality information about the service the childminder provides. Parents sign to say they have read and understood the childminders policies and procedures. Daily discussions and learning journals are effectively used to exchange information and involve parents in their children's learning. This helps to further support children to make good progress in their learning and development. Children's work, photographs and written observations demonstrate that each child is making good progress. Arrangements to share information about children's learning and development when they attend other settings have been established, to ensure continuity in their care and learning.

p.5

the early years provision

Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision have been developed and the childminder is able to identify strengths and areas for improvement within the setting. All recommendations made at the last have been addressed to improve outcomes for children. She demonstrates a commitment and enthusiasm to update her knowledge, skills and practice to benefit the children who attend. The childminder uses the views of the children to help in the evaluation of the setting however, the views of parents and have yet to be sought to ensure the provision is evaluated from a different perspective. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a very good and varied range of activities to stimulate children's interest and support their learning and development. Children take part in purposeful play and there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. She undertakes observations of each child in a variety of activities and these are clearly linked to the six areas of learning and assist the childminder in planning the next steps in children's learning. Children are well settled and at home and contented in familiar surroundings where the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. She gathers information to support children's settling-in, for example, information about their family and their likes and dislikes. Children demonstrate their independence as they move around the home selecting different toys and resources to play with. The good organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use the resources imaginatively and follow their natural

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of people's differences is well promoted they are able to access a range of resources that reflect cultural diversity, such as small world figures and books. Children learn about their local community, they visit local places of interest, such as, the Police museum and library. A good range of programmable toys and resources gives them opportunities to acquire basic-skills in operating simple equipment. The childminder is constantly chatting, explaining, and describing what she is doing and asking questions. As a result, children's communication skills are very well promoted and their learning and development supported. They cuddle up on the sofa to listen to stories, developing their language and love of books. Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts through daily routines and play. Children also enjoy cooking activities, measuring and weighting ingredients when making their cakes, preparing the

p.6

and outcomes for children

batter for their pancakes. Children are beginning to understand how things grow by caring for their vegetables in the pots outdoors, which, they then harvest and eat that helps develop their understanding of healthy eating.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children routinely follow excellent hygiene practices, such as washing hands before meals and after using the toilet following the picture guide. There is a relaxed atmosphere at meal times. All children enjoy the benefits of nutritious and well balanced foods and drinks which the childminders provide. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through practical daily routines, and the childminder's guidance on the dangers of traffic and strangers. Children practise evacuation procedures to further their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children's physical skills develop effectively through walks to local schools, amenities and the use of the equipment at their local playgroups and parks. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement. As a result, they are developing good self-esteem and understand when they have done well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8