Childminder in Salford

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307256 Inspection date 08/09/2008 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 14 in a semi-detached property in Swinton, Salford. The childminder has a childcare qualification and on occasions, her husband supports her in the role of a named assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The lounge, dining room, kitchen, conservatory and toilet on the ground floor and the bathroom and three bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently eight children on roll. Of these, four children are aged under five years, two children are aged between six and eight years and two children are aged over eight years. The childminder has established links with other early years settings which minded children attend and that also provide the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' framework.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is member of the National Childminding Association and she has also completed the Quality First assurance scheme.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare and learning and she provides a safe and inclusive environment. Good systems are in place in relation to planning and assessment. The children are happily engaged and occupied in a broad range of stimulating play activities and experiences. There is a good working relationship with parents and they are kept well informed of their children’s daily routines, care and learning. The childminder has developed effective systems in relation to self- evaluation and these help her to monitor the service she provides and to identify key strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 record the dates on which the risk assessments of the premises are completed.

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provision

The childminder is a very committed and enthusiastic childcare practitioner who continually strives to improve the service she provides. She attends lots of training to further improve her knowledge base and develop her childcare practices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder’s home is well organised and gives the children lots of opportunities to become independent. The daily routine promotes children’s welfare and meets their needs. All required documentation is in place and written policies and procedures work well in practice to positively promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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provision

The childminder implements an effective self-evaluation process and parents are also involved as they complete questionnaires to help the childminder monitor the service she provides. The childminder has developed a wide range of natural materials to help young children to use their senses to explore and investigate to ensure that the recommendation made at the last inspection has been addressed. She has also attended all available training in relation to the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' framework to enable her to be in a position to be able to meet the requirements of the framework and promote outcomes for children.

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provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring that the service she provides is fully inclusive and she makes parents and their children feel welcome. The childminder has developed a port folio which includes written policies and procedures. Copies of the policies are given to and are discussed with parents at the introduction meeting; helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about their children’s care and learning and development. For example, the childminder maintains children's individual daily diaries and parents are able to view their children's records of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ and she plans and provides a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities to help the children make progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder works well with parents to gather information about their children’s starting points. She observes children at play and uses this information to chart children’s progress and plan their next steps in learning. Children’s assessment records include written observations, next steps in learning and photographs to illustrate the children’s enjoyment and development. The childminder has established good working relationships with a play group and a reception class to ensure that she is able to compliment the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ provided by these settings for the children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a fully inclusive environment for the children and their families. She provides a child centred environment which is conducive to children’s learning. Resources are attractively stored in low level cupboards and all boxes are labelled. The children are able to freely access toys; helping them to initiate their own ideas and develop choice and independence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and she responds spontaneously to their interests. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. She knows the children well and is able to meet their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual needs and preferred learning styles effectively. As a result, the children are curious and confident and eager to learn.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children develop good self help skills as they access toys, help to tidy up and put on their shoes to go and play in the garden. They show an interest in the world in which they live. For example, they talk about the birds flying in the sky outside and are able to describe the weather as cloudy and rainy. The children recently enjoyed exploring the life cycle of caterpillars and watched over a period of time as the caterpillars turned into butterflies. They have access to a wide range of natural materials and use all their senses to explore shells and pebbles. They talk about the size of the shells and use words such as smooth and spiky to describe their texture. The children develop an awareness of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy as the childminder introduces concepts of number, shape and size into their play. The children use language well from an early age to explain what they are doing and to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

ask questions. They enjoy being imaginative as they play with dressing up clothes. They have lots of fun and they sing songs as they play. The children play in the garden. They learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination as they walk, skip and run. The children balance their bodies as they jump on the trampoline and negotiate pathways as they ride cars around the garden. Photographic documentation shows the children have lots of opportunities to express their own thoughts and ideas using a variety of creative materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder implements strategies to promote all children’s social, physical and economic well-being. The children learn about hygiene practices and personal care routines as they wash their hands and brush their teeth at appropriate times of the day. They are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating because the childminder provides a menu that is well balanced and nutritious to aid their growth and development. The childminder’s home is safe and secure. It is well equipped with equipment, furniture and resources and provides an enabling environment where children can thrive. Full risk assessments are in place for outings and the premises. However, the risk assessment for the premises does not include the date on which it was completed. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures and this ensures children’s welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder acts as a positive role model to the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children and they receive a clear message about what is expected of them. The children are polite and behave well. They become aware of sharing and taking turns from an early age from an early age.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children develop a good sense of belonging and they move around with ease and confidence. They are able to make decisions and they take responsibility as they help to tidy up and help to clean the table after their snack. The children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and they thrive on her interaction and attention. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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