Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY415068 Inspection date 02/03/2012 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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.

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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

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her partner and two sons aged two and three years in the Hazel Grove district of Stockport. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and the front bedroom and toilet facilities on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has six children on roll; of whom five are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to other early years settings and also takes and collects children to and from school. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has settled into childminding well and overall shows a good understanding of how to promote children's welfare, learning and development. She provides a fully inclusive service and works closely with parents to identify and support children's individual needs. She shows excellent commitment to continuous improvement through training and uses systems very effectively to reflect on her practice. The childminder has established excellent partnerships with parents and is proactive in making links with others to support outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment in relation to stair safety and ensure it covers everything a child comes into contact with, particularly with regard to the use of toothbrushes.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder is very aware of her role and responsibilities to protect children from possible harm or neglect and how to pass on any concerns appropriately. She has a clear policy which is shared effectively with parents and has attended recent training to update her knowledge and understanding in this area. She routinely carries out other procedures to promote children's welfare such as a well-maintained visitor record and regular fire drills. She is fully aware of the importance of safe collection procedures and has a robust back-up system in case of emergencies. The childminder is alert to dangers and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carries out daily visual and written risk assessments to support children's health and safety. However, as the top stair gate is easily opened by some children and children's toothbrushes are stored in the same mug, these procedures do not fully

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the early years provision

promote their welfare. The childminder is fully aware that children must always be fully supervised around unchecked adults and has informed Ofsted regarding visiting residents in her household. The childminder shows an excellent commitment to continuous improvement and has attended a wide range of courses since registration. She uses effective systems such as parent questionnaires and discussions with her development worker to evaluate her practice and makes changes as necessary. All the required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children is well organised, regularly updated and appropriately stored.

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the early years provision

She provides a fully inclusive setting with easy access to a wide range of resources both inside and outside to promote children's self-selection and support their independence. Free-flow opportunities are encouraged by easy access to a well- resourced garden area for outdoor play. The childminder has current and previous experience of working with children with more specific needs outside of her childminding and is aware of how to use other professionals to support their development and enhance their opportunities. She has been proactive in making links with other early years providers as she fully recognises the benefits of working together in support of children's individual development. For example, she routinely exchanges her planning and development folders.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is very strong and very well supported by a range of shared information and the childminder's friendly and approachable manner. Parents receive all the policies which they sign for including information about the Early Years Foundation Stage. Other information is displayed on the notice board such as the weekly planning. Daily discussion ensures parents are kept fully involved and the sharing of a comprehensive daily diary and development folder helps both parent and childminder work together to support the next steps in children's learning. She meets with them routinely to discuss their children's development and, to suit parents' individual wishes, the childminder also arranges to discuss this at their homes. Parents are encouraged to contribute their views and comments in the daily diary and to share items and photos about family and cultural events.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well in this welcoming family environment where they have made warm relationships with the childminder and other family members. Children's health is well promoted through regular walks and outdoor play with access to a wide range of physical equipment to develop their limbs and encourage their coordination. The childminder recognises the value of outdoor learning and encourages the use of such opportunities daily and provides easy access for this. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are learning about daily routines to promote their health such as hand washing and teeth cleaning, which even comes naturally into their role playing as they care for and change the dolls. Children benefit immensely from a nutritious menu with balanced, healthy meals and lots of fresh fruit, with the childminder working closely with parents to support any individual dietary needs very well.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their food as they share relaxed, social mealtimes around the table. Children are learning about safety through reminders during the daily routine as they go up and down stairs, travel in the car or walk near the road. They take part in regular fire drills so they learn about fire safety and how to evacuate quickly and safely. Children are learning to behave well as the childminder provides a good balance of positive encouragement and praise and clear guidelines so that children know why certain behaviour is not acceptable. With several young children present, the childminder routinely encourages sharing and taking turns so the children start to develop social skills and to respect the needs of others. Children benefit from trips into the local community as they visit the park and the library or attend different toddler groups where they experience other play and social opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good balance of free-play sessions, where they can select from easily accessible storage units, and more adult-led activities. Their developing language skills are supported by lots of spontaneous conversation throughout the day or sharing in songs, stories and nursery rhymes. They enjoy building with the bricks and lego or try and find the right piece of the jigsaws. Children are able to develop their imagination and creativity as they dress up in the different costumes or role play with the dolls and small world figures. They enjoy making dens and pretending to be shop keepers after visits to the local shops. They experiment and explore their senses through different mediums like sand, water and play dough or make collages and designs with paint and glue, such as hand prints to decorate their season tree in the playroom. Children are starting to understand the wider world as they take part in creative sessions around the different festivals, such as

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and outcomes for children

Chinese New Year where they colour in dragons and make paper lanterns. They learn how things work as they explore programmable toys and develop skills on the computer. They are developing a love of nature as they visit the animals in the field, watch the birds in the garden and help to dig and grow plants, such as beans and sunflowers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a stimulating, family environment where children settle well and where she naturally uses her knowledge of each child, supported by lots of observations of them at play, both spontaneous and more detailed, to monitor their progress. She allows children to make independent choices whilst engaging with them to encourage their development. She tracks this so she can identify their next steps and incorporates this in her planning for each child. She collects her observations along with many photos and examples of children's work in their learning journeys so that parents can share in their development and capture moments to treasure for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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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

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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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

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Stage

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

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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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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