Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439898 Inspection date 22/08/2012 Inspector Anne Drinkwater

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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 2012. She lives with her partner who also works as a childminder in the Bredbury area of Stockport. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed front garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder has three dogs, two rabbits and ducklings.

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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 whom, no more than three may be in the early year's age range. When co-minding she is registered to care for a maximum of six children in the early years age group, of these, not more than two may be under one year.

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Description of the childminding

In total there are ten children on roll. Eight of the children are in the early years age range, some attend on a part time basis. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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

The children are settled, happy and content within the warm and welcoming environment. Children are encouraged to be active and inquisitive and as a result of their truly imaginative environment, they are becoming independent and very capable learners. Self-evaluation is in its infancy, however the childminder is able to reflect on her practice in order to secure improved outcomes for the children. As a result, she has identified increasing partnership working with parents and formalising self-evaluation as areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the involvement of parents in the children's learning and development, for example, to enable them to contribute to the systems for observational assessment and planning  broaden self-evaluation systems to involve parents and to further identify aspects of the childminding service done well and aspects that can be improved, so as to further promote good outcomes for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She is fully aware of the possible indicators of abuse and the action to take if she has concerns about a child. The childminder is well organised and provides a happy, safe and stimulating environment for the children. Effective risk assessments are in place for the home and any outings and the childminder has taken action to ensure all risks to children are minimised, so that they can play safely. A complaints procedure clearly informs parents how they may contact the regulator if they should wish to make a complaint and all adults in her home are suitably vetted.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society in which they live. Children are provided with an abundance of imaginative, exciting range of resources, equipment and activities, these are all accessible, age appropriate, safe and suitably maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good vision for the future, however, self-evaluation has yet to be formalised. Through discussion the childminder is able to effectively identify her strengths and areas for development, for example, she wishes to access training on assertiveness. She is able to produce well written policies and procedures and has vast experience in caring for babies. She works well with her co-minder and ensures their practice is consistent. She understands the importance of continuous professional development and will ensure she continues to update her knowledge to benefit the children.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the emerging relationship between their parents and the childminder. Parents are kept very well informed about their children's achievement, well-being and development. In addition, the childminder displays her training certificates, registration certificate and information about the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her well-presented policies file ensures parents are aware of how the setting operates. This ensures that parents are fully informed about her service. The childminder is aware to develop links with the school that the children attend to ensure their children's learning is complemented when in her care. Letters from parents are positive of the service that the childminder provides.

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the early years provision

She provides portfolios of the children's development, these include an abundance of observations and photographs and children's next steps are planned and catered for in her daily planning. As a result, parents are informed of their children's progress. However, systems are yet to be put in place to allow parents to contribute to their children's observations and planning. The childminder operates a very inclusive environment and children are provided with a good selection of resources and activities reflecting the wider community, such as, books, dolls, puzzles and posters. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making significant progress in all areas of their learning and are extremely happy and confident. They benefit from the childminder' secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and from the organisation of toys and resources, which means they can make choices from the truly imaginative and extensive range of activities and equipment on offer. They thrive in this relaxed setting and are comfortable and secure as they know both the childminders very well. She has made the very best use of available space, both inside and outdoors, to enable her to provide an extremely stimulating learning environment in which children make good progress. The childminder is constantly seeking out new ideas and initiatives to further enhance children's learning potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily explore their environment independently making choices. Their communication and language skills are consistently promoted as the childminder is thoroughly interested in what the children say and do. She sits at their level asking questions to consolidate their learning. Children are motivated to learn as she skilfully picks up on their individual interests and favourite songs, for example, through their enjoyment of the environment songs they learn to conserve water and how to recycle waste. She further supports their interests by planning activities, such as 'a real bear hunt' that takes place in the canal tunnel with torches as it is very dark. Their love of animals is truly fostered as they learn to care for the rabbits, dogs and baby ducklings. They explain how the ducklings will follow them on walks to the park and how their childminder will be taking the duck eggs with her on holiday as they are late in hatching. They benefit greatly from the

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and outcomes for children

varied outdoor provision, which enables them to learn about nature and the world around them while developing their physical skill and form friendships with other minded children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is exceptionally well promoted as they learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines through prompts for their childminder and notices in the bathroom, for the older children. They learn why they wash their hands at certain times to eliminate bacteria, which may make them feel unwell. They each have their own towel and are encouraged to brush their teeth regularly. They thoroughly enjoy their healthy fruit snacks and homemade meals, this promotes their enjoyment of healthy foods. They benefit from daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the garden or local parks. Children demonstrate a strong sense of security at the setting. They are provided with explanation and gentle reminders to promote their safety, such as, not running indoors and are familiar with the fire drills as they have opportunities to practise them frequently. Children are well supported throughout their day and minor squabbles are

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and outcomes for children

sensitively resolved as the childminder listens to each child carefully, helping them to resolve issues, such as sibling rivalry and sharing. Furthermore, her successful use of positive reinforcement helps them to develop a positive self-image. Consequently, children become calm and settled as their needs and concerns are individually considered. 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 1 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 1 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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