Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408672 Inspection date 23/05/2012 Inspector Judith Kerr

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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 husband and child aged two years in the Great Moor area of Stockport. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed front and rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. When working with her assistant they may care for a maximum of seven children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for five children in this age group. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a recognised level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 settled in the childminder's comfortable and well-organised home and inclusion is actively promoted. The children enjoy an interesting range of opportunities and experiences which meet their individual needs and, as a result they make good progress. Positive relationships are developed with parents, and the effective communication with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage supports the childminder to provide high quality care and learning which is coordinated and consistent. A strong focus is placed on ensuring that children are cared for in a safe and environment where they begin to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. The childminder effectively evaluates her provision, which ensures most areas for improvement in her practice are identified in order to raise the quality of the service provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/05/2012

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure planning provides personalised learning, development and support which is tailored to the needs of individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to protect children and is able to recognise the potential signs and symptoms of abuse. She has systems in place to record any concerns she may have and is aware of who to contact to make a referral if necessary. The childminder usually seeks written permission for administering medication but on some occasions it is not asked for. This is a breach of requirements. Nonetheless, children are well protected as vetting procedures monitor the suitability of all adults in the household. Detailed risk assessments have been completed to identify any potential hazards in the house and on outings. These are clearly recorded and reviewed at regular intervals. For example, the childminder has notified Ofsted to keep them informed and has reviewed safety aspects to take account of changes taking place to extend the premises. She maintains a valid first aid certificate to ensure she can

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the early years provision

administer the appropriate treatment in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has demonstrated a strong commitment to ongoing training and development in order to keep her knowledge up to date. For example, she has attended short courses on safeguarding, policies and procedures and autism awareness. Children confidently make their own choices from the wide range of resources which are accessibly organised. This helps them develop their independence and self-esteem. The childminder incorporates the views of children and parents in evaluating her practice to enable her to continually improve the provision. Self-evaluation is for the most part accurate and ensures that practice is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the children and their families and enhance the quality of the care, learning and development.

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the early years provision

Parents and carers are provided with a good range of policies and procedures which outline how the childminding service operates. A wealth of information is displayed to keep parents well informed, for example, certificates, posters and a weekly menu planner. They are asked to complete 'all about me' documents to help the childminder understand their child's care needs and learning and development abilities. Children's progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage is jointly discussed and their contributions are welcomed to identify future developmental goals. The childminder also recognises the importance of working cooperatively with other professionals to meet children's care and learning needs. She liaises with other childcare settings attended by the children to ensure consistency and continuity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their development as a result of the childminder's secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a stimulating and varied range of well-supported activities and experiences they enjoy. Daily routines include a good balance of adult-directed and child-led activities, both indoors and outside. The childminder maintains vibrant records of observations undertaken on each child; these are linked to the areas of learning and most include details of the next steps planned for individual children. However, planning fails to identify variable learning objectives to meet the needs of each child. Children's achievements are tracked against the early learning goals to identify their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily with their friends and confidently approach the childminder for attention or support, demonstrating their sense of security within the setting. Children's communication, language and literacy are reinforced throughout the day as the childminder asks them questions to make them think. Mark-making resources are readily available for children to practise their skills, and they proudly show off how they have written their name on their collage. Conversation flows freely as children happily discuss what they are doing and why. For example, they are given time and space to work out for themselves how to fit the pieces of a puzzle together. They weigh and measure ingredients for baking cookies, which encourages them to concentrate and to problem solve. They discover what happens when they make jelly and the mixture changes texture as it sets. Children are confident and self-assured as they demonstrate their reasoning abilities by

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and outcomes for children

counting how many pieces of fruit have been chopped up for snack.

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and outcomes for children

Outings to explore the local environment include visits to the nearby park, library and toddler group where the children delight in climbing and balancing, using different equipment and socialising and playing cooperatively with their peers. The childminder uses activities, resources and discussions to help children learn about and respect diversity. For example, they make rangoli patterns for Diwali and paint pictures of dragons for Chinese New Year. Books, play figures and dolls help them to understand the wider world in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the importance of being healthy. A strong focus is placed on helping them to understand what constitutes a nutritious and balanced diet. Children regularly take part in physical activities and are taken out doors each day to develop physical skills and enjoy the fresh air. Beneficial hygiene routines are followed to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children develop independence as they routinely wash their hands before eating and respond well to the praise and recognition they receive for trying hard and behaving well. They are beginning to understand why certain behaviours are unacceptable and refer one another to the house rules which they have helped to devise. The childminder ensures that children are given the skills to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by teaching them how to evacuate the house in an emergency and the correct procedure for crossing the roads.

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and outcomes for children

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: 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 on the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 23/05/2012

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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 on the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 23/05/2012

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