Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430953 Inspection date 20/04/2012 Inspector Shirley Wilkes

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and child aged five years in the Stockport area of Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's care as they experience a wide range of activities, enabling them to make good progress in their learning and development. Close partnership working with parents enables her to meet children's individual needs. She has a good understanding of children's preferences and interests and uses these to provide them with activities and experiences that support their learning and development. Documentation is maintained well and relevant policies and procedures are reflective of practice and suitably implemented. The childminder shows commitment and capacity to improve the quality of her care and has identified some of her strengths and areas for improvement, although she has yet to devise her own system to record this.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop evaluation systems to include parents' views to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve.

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the known signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. She has a written safeguarding policy which is available to parents to ensure they are aware of her role in keeping children safe. Suitability checks have been completed on household members, providing reassurance to parents that they are suitable to have contact with children.

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the early years provision

A detailed risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and for each type of outing, and the childminder ensures all identified hazards are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimised. The childminder has clear policies, procedures and record keeping systems to cover all aspects of her service. These are detailed and well thought out, ensuring children are kept safe, protected and supported. There is a good procedure to protect children from the spread of infection, including arrangements to exclude children who have any infectious illnesses.

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the early years provision

The childminder is friendly and caring and this helps children to feel at ease and secure in the setting. Children are happy to play independently and the childminder is always close at hand to offer support. Good use is made of space in the home. Children can choose from the resources available to them and are able to direct their own play, helping to develop their independence. The childminder interacts well with children in a natural and sensitive way. This ensures they are supported and able to explore the resources and activities available to them. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion and offers a warm welcome to all children. They access a good selection of resources depicting positive images of diversity which helps in their understanding of the wider world in which they live.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers information from parents to establish what children can do and their likes and dislikes when they first start at the setting. Daily diaries are used to keep parents informed of how children have spent their time. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to establish and maintain positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. This helps ensure the continuity of their care and learning.

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the early years provision

Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision are in their early stages. The childminder is able to identify strengths within the setting. However, she has not actively sought parents' views and opinions to contribute to the evaluation process to improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and at home and contented in familiar surroundings where the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. Children demonstrate their independence as they move around the home selecting different toys and resources to play with. Good maintenance and organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use the resources imaginatively and follow their natural curiosity as learners.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well aware of children's interests and uses this information to plan a variety of experiences for the children. The childminder records relevant observations of what children can do and produces a useful summary of what this means in terms of their achievements and progress to inform the planning of activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of numbers through daily routines and play. Their early problem solving skills are further encouraged through resources, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as jigsaws and shape sorters. Children's language development is well supported by the childminder through positive interaction. For example, she talks to the children as they play, encouraging their language development. They enjoy recalling special events, such as a visit to the cotton mill that was very noisy. Children enjoy exploring the contents of the treasure basket, taking delight in smelling the scented candle, stroking the soft materials and popping the bubble wrap.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of people's differences is promoted as they are able to access resources that reflect cultural diversity and disability, such as small world figures and books. Children are also learning about the local community when out on walks in the local area and trips to places of interest, such as local museums. Children are becoming aware of living things, as they plant and care for their salad crops.

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and outcomes for children

Children routinely follow good hygiene practices, such as washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. There is a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes. Children enjoy the benefits of nutritious and well-balanced foods and drinks which the childminder provides. They learn to keep themselves safe through practical daily routines and by practising the emergency evacuation procedure. Children are well behaved and good manners are encouraged at all times, helping them develop skills for the future. Children's behaviour is positively promoted and the childminder ensures that praise is offered appropriately to encourage children to want to achieve and help develop their self-esteem. Children are able to play in the garden and take part in regular visits to child-orientated venues where they are able to access a variety of equipment all of which helps their physical development. 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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