Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362677 Inspection date 28/03/2012 Inspector Karen Molloy

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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 registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and four year old son in the Romiley area of Stockport, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the converted basement is used for childminding purposes and children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of which two may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child in this age group on roll. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children. They are kept safe and secure as the childminder has an informed understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. Children make good progress in their learning and development and this is well supported by the good range of toys and resources available to them. Their individual needs are known and met as the childminder has a very good partnership with parents. The childminder is developing systems that support evaluation and sustain continuous improvement for children and families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation to include input from parents and children

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder has a good understanding of what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare. She has completed safeguarding training, has all the relevant literature for reporting any concerns and has appropriate policies in place to support her practice. All household members are suitably vetted and a visitors book records anyone coming into her home. The childminder makes effective use of up-to-date risk assessments to support her in ensuring the areas used by the children are safe and for any outings. For example, she checks both indoors and the garden daily and appropriate safety precautions are in place. Therefore, children move around the childminder's home safely and freely.

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the early years provision

The environment is very well-organised and accessible to the children. A dedicated playroom is in the basement and a comfortable sofa and small table and chairs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make it cosy and child-friendly. Children have access to a wide range of toys and resources covering all areas of learning. Very good storage and organisation of this room encourages children to explore and make independent choices. Posters of the time, numbers, flags, sums and maps are displayed at low level to support children's learning. This means that children thrive and make good progress in their development. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and is aware of her strengths and areas for development. She has addressed all the previous recommendations; for example, children are developing a good awareness of diversity through the resources and activities on offer. Although

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the early years provision

feedback from children and parents is not yet woven into the self-evaluation process, the childminder looks for ways to improve her provision for the children and has set herself appropriate and relevant targets. For example, she is keen to develop children's knowledge of cultures and different texts by introducing writing in various languages. The childminder has also attended a number of courses since her last inspection including; multi-cultural arts and crafts, positive relationships and a childcare level 3 course. This has developed her knowledge and understanding which she uses well in her practice. Therefore, the childminder demonstrates a good capacity to improve.

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the early years provision

The childminder has close working relationships with parents and carers. She obtains useful information about each child such as likes and dislikes, dietary and personal care needs. Therefore, parent's wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. New children are settled in gradually and the childminder and parents share important information about each child during this time. These good practices support a smooth transition from home to the setting. On-going communication is effective through Ofsted information, verbal communication, daily diaries and children's development folders; this ensures parents are kept well- informed. Feedback from parents is very positive and comments include; a smooth settling in time, children grow up in a family environment, a good range of activities and variety of toys, children are so happy and make good progress and they highly recommend the kind and caring childminder. The childminder has

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the early years provision

established good links with the school and with other provisions and/ professionals involved with the children. These relationships ensure everyone is working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service and provides a good selection of resources to support equality and diversity, including books, dolls and dressing up clothes. Children celebrate different festivals and make food from other cultures. She provides sensitive support to children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and readily adapts activities to ensure that all children can access them. This means that the individual needs of all children are met and they are included fully in the life of the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children develop and she uses this well to support their learning. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder makes observations about the children's learning and development, highlights their achievements and identifies their next steps. Well-presented and informative development folders detail children's progress, annotated photographs, examples of children's work and these are linked to the six areas of learning, to ensure they are all covered. Planning ensures a balance of adult-led activities and child-initiated free play. The childminder also takes into consideration children's individual needs and interests, enabling them to be spontaneous and flexible in their activities and routine.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy one to one time with the childminder and also play together cooperatively, as their social skills develop well. Children are well supported by the childminder, who is on hand to guide them when necessary. She has developed close relationships with the children, knows them well and their interaction is very positive. She listens effectively to them, asks them challenging questions and in turn they respond and approach her with confidence and enthusiasm.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in a good range of activities and experiences. Trips to playgroups, the garden centre, canal walks, farm visits and meeting other childminders and their children develops children's knowledge of the wider community and promotes their social skills well. Children develop a good knowledge and understanding of the world. Maps and a picture atlas introduces geography to them and they discuss different countries and cultures. They learn about nature as they observe a tadpole and are keen to make a collage of the lifecycle of the frog, which also extends and challenges them further. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are promoted well. They enjoy completing dot to dot numbers with good control and young children show enthusiasm to practise writing and spell out words, which the childminder encourages skilfully. Children enjoy looking at books and the story of the 'Hungry

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and outcomes for children

Caterpillar', after seeing a caterpillar in the park.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy creative play; they paint shapes, draw pictures of their parents with good detail and make Diwali drawings. They practise with scissors, make butterfly rubbings, collect leaves and make collages and really enjoy baking. Their understanding of early maths is gained through everyday activities, such as counting the pegs in the garden and counting the stairs as they run up them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted well. Healthy eating is actively promoted and children enjoy a selection of fresh fruit at snack time. They enjoy baking a variety of interesting and healthy options, such as courgette and carrot cake. They have the opportunity to grow their own vegetables in the garden including courgettes and strawberries. Good hygiene practices such as, regular hand washing, are encouraged and children relax or sleep in a quiet area in the lounge. Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as they use the garden, go for walks and visit the nearby park, which also promotes their physical skills. Children develop a good awareness of safety. They take part in fire drills and know to go to the childminder when she blows a whistle. They discuss 'stranger danger' with the childminder, road safety and potential dangers whilst out and about. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well in the setting because the childminder gives lots of one to one attention and children are busy and engaged. Distraction is used effectively if necessary. Children are familiar with the positive 'house rules', such as being nice to each other and sharing. They receive lots of praise, which encourages their good behaviour and develops their self-esteem. 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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