Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332867 Inspection date 02/04/2012 Inspector Karen McWilliam

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and four other adults in Stockport. The lounge and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of which, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An inadequate knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation stage impacts on children's experiences as they progress towards the early learning goals. Most systems ensure children are safe and protected while in the childminder's care. However, certain omissions have resulted in some breaches of the welfare requirements. The childminder has formed satisfactory partnerships with parents and others which ensure some of the children's needs are met. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice. However, she has not been successful at driving forward priorities for improvement.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 gain knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (Early learning goals) 22/05/2012

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further?

 improve use of observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs (Organisation) 22/05/2012

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further?

 provide experiences which are appropriate to each 22/05/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation)  conduct an annual risk assessment that includes aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and keep a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 22/05/2012

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide children with opportunities for fresh air on a daily basis  keep a record of evacuation drills including any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and has a suitable knowledge and understanding of the possible indicators of abuse. She is clear about her duty to report any concerns and is able to implement appropriate procedures to protect children from possible harm. The childminder ensures that all members of the household are suitably checked. To further protect children the childminder ensures that the evacuation procedure is practised so children know what to do in the event of a fire. However, the childminder does not maintain a record of fire drills and any hazards or problems that occur as a result of the practice. Systems to fully safeguard children are also not fully effective because the childminder does not have any written risk assessments in place. Therefore, she is not maximising opportunities to ensure children are safe as they explore the environment.

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the early years provision

Space and resources are inadequately used. The childminder has a very large garden which offers a wealth of learning experiences for children. However, children spend the day in the lounge exploring limited resources. Consequently, this affects the children's learning and development. The childminder has identified this as an area for improvement and plans to purchase some safety equipment so that children can freely explore more of the indoor environment, such as the front room. The childminder has attended some training. However, she recognises that she needs to improve her knowledge of child development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established satisfactory partnerships with parents and kind comments suggest they are happy with the service she provides. She ensures that parents receive copies of her policies and that she obtains suitable information regarding children's needs to ensure that some of the children's needs are met. The childminder has formed sound partnerships with others. For example, she receives support from her development worker to identify improvements for the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly asks parents for their views regarding all aspects of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provision and has begun to evaluate her setting. However, she does not always identify priorities for improvements or act on advice from her development worker, therefore, her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is limited.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is warm and attentive towards the children in her care. They feel secure in the setting and demonstrate this by snuggling onto the childminder's knee for a cuddle when they are upset. The childminder ensures children are safe to explore the lounge by providing a suitable range of safety equipment, such as plug socket covers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an inadequate knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Therefore, she does not routinely use observations of children to inform her planning. As a result, some activities are not suitable for children's age or stage of development and some learning opportunities are missed. For example, children do not currently have opportunities for messy play or to develop their early writing skills. The childminder sings rhymes with children and points out objects in the environment to support their developing communication and language skills. Children are beginning to count by rote and the childminder supports this by adding one more number. This contributes to their developing numeracy skills. The childminder encourages children to share as they take turns to throw a ball. A range of festivals are celebrated within the setting. As a result, children gain some understanding of the

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and outcomes for children

diversity of the world in which they live. Children have access to electronic toys to support them as they develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a very clean environment. However, the value of outdoor play is not routinely acknowledged. Currently, children have not been allowed access to the fresh air at all during the colder months. As a result, children do not get opportunities to be fully active or use resources to test and challenge their skills, such as climbing, digging and exploring the natural environment. The childminder serves some fruit and ensures water is available to help support children to make healthy choices.

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and outcomes for children

All the available resources are accessible. Therefore, children are supported in making some choices in what they want to play with. The childminder regularly praises children and provides a calm and loving environment. However, the childminder does not always respond appropriately to children's needs when they become frustrated, for example putting on the television to calm children down instead of other activities to enhance children's experiences. 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 4 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 4 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 4 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years part of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). (also applies to the voluntray part of the Childcare Register) 22/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 22/05/2012

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