Childminder in Trafford

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 EY301729 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Mary Kilroy

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 14 and 15, in the Trafford area of Greater Manchester. The kitchen, dining room, sitting room and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside 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 and there are currently five children aged 18 months, five, two eight year olds and a child aged 10 on roll who attend a variety of sessions. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has established links with other early years settings which minded children attend that also provide the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local carer and toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the effectiveness of the provision is good. The childminder has developed effective systems in relation to self-evaluation, to help her to monitor the service she provides and identify key strengths and minor areas for development. She promotes children’s welfare and learning in an inspiring and challenging way that provides a safe and inclusive environment and gives children autonomy in their play and excellent opportunities and strategies for making decisions, experimenting, exploring and taking responsibility in safe surroundings. Children benefit from close relationships and consistent care from all adults who care for them and work successfully in partnership towards their progress and wellbeing. To maintain her high standards and ensure continuous improvement, the childminder will continue to develop her good self evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to use good self evaluation effectively to monitor all aspects of provision and as a tool for continuing improvement.

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provision

The childminder’s home is well organised, giving children exceptional opportunities to become independent and enjoy vibrant learning, superbly supported by the childminder. All documentation is in place and there are written policies and procedures that positively promote children’s health, safety, achievement, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is committed, enthusiastic and strives to improve the service she provides. Sound written policies and procedures are shared with parents and help to develop exceptional working relationships with them and a strong shared understanding from an early stage. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about their children’s care, learning and development. Parents contribute to children's learning and share comprehensive daily information on

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provision

The childminder has developed excellent resources and activities to help children to explore and investigate. She implements an effective self-evaluation process which involves parents to help her monitor her service. She uses an inventory of equipment and an activity list to inform her planning. The childminder keeps abreast of current requirements and reads widely to improve her knowledge, develop her childcare practice and enable her to meet requirements. She promotes excellent outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and each activity successfully links to it. She skilfully observes children enjoying play activities, using this information to plan for individual progress and next steps in learning. The childminder establishes children's starting points with parents and successfully uses these and the children's interests to skilfully build upon. She has established sound working relationships with her local school and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring that she complements what they are offering.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a vibrant child-centred environment which challenges and inspires creativity. Children beam with delight, chuckle during play and want to engage and include adults in the fun activities. There is a good balance of adult- introduced and child-initiated activities and children confidently add to and extend their play. The childminder successfully meets children's preferred learning styles, resulting in happy, eager learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy excellent first-hand experiences to help them learn about the natural and wider world. They plant bulbs and sow seeds in a sunny area of the garden. Children keep diaries from the planting of the seeds, they measure the area then dig and weed themselves. They select different seeds of their choice and use good communication and cooperation with others to carefully follow the instructions. They gain knowledge and understanding of what is good soil, discuss how much and how often to water, monitor sunlight and revisit to water and tend the plants. The childminder took six older children to Wales and they sat to watch the sun set. When discussing sunsets, children said that they had never watched one before. Children have good opportunities to learn about the wider world as they create sun, sea and sand paintings or simply enjoy a walk home in the rain. There are good books for younger children, including one about a very hungry

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

caterpillar to illustrate life cycles and a book about a cricket, which makes realistic chirping noises, that they love to read with the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder talks to children constantly. Young children know many colours and can manipulate magnetic trains superbly, demonstrating good pincer movements and excellent fine manipulative skills. They know that the wooden train has magnetic ends, one negative and one positive and can manipulate the carriages skilfully to try the other end. They know the crane has a magnet on it and successfully line it up with a truck under to lift it up. The childminder uses positional language as children push trains through the tunnel, over and under the bridge when asked. Children thoroughly enjoy stories and a child learning to talk copies every word she says and enjoys a friendly argument with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses letters to spell out words and children are extremely receptive and want to try out letters, new words and animal noises. The childminder plays a wide variety of games with older children, including scrabble, chess and marble run. She spends all her time playing with and supporting children in a superb range of activities, which they thoroughly enjoy. The childminder ensures children make as much progress as they can in information technology and numeracy as they access programmable toys, use mobile phones, cassette recorders, radios and a cash till. They have opportunities to problem solve constantly during play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes children’s social, physical and economic well-being. Her home is a secure environment where children learn good strategies to remain safe and healthy. The childminder has a highly effective understanding of safeguarding children procedures, which ensures their welfare is safeguarded. She fosters good social skills to enable children to be accepted and welcomed in society. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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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