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

p.1

Unique reference number EY318059 Inspection date 23/03/2009 Inspector Jannet Mary Richards

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. He lives with his wife and four sons aged 21, 19, 14 and 1 year. The childminder works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. Occasionally their two older sons work as assistants, with written parental consent from parents. The family lives in the Swinton area of Salford. There are local toddler groups, a sports centre, library and shopping precinct nearby. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder currently cares for a total of eight children, of whom six are in the early years age group. He is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has recently obtained a relevant childcare qualification.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder follows excellent policies and procedures and takes exceptional care to ensure that children are safe, healthy and their welfare is promoted very effectively. The children make strong progress in their learning and development as they enjoy an exciting range of play activities and are very well supported and challenged by the childminder in most areas. A very strong emphasis on respect and valuing each child as a unique individual ensures that every child is made to feel special and very welcome. Exemplary partnerships with parents and others involved in the lives of the children means that children are very well supported as the adults who care for them work together to meet their needs. The childminder has a very committed approach, often attending training to develop his skills and knowledge. He has a good ability to reflect on what he does well and to develop his service, though self

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

evaluation systems are not yet established enough to identify all aspects of childminding.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 challenge children more effectively to think things through and to solve simple problems  develop the systems for evaluating the effectiveness of the childminding service.

p.3

provision

Children benefit from the childminders excellent ability to keep them safe and healthy. Rigorous and very well considered procedures are followed very well in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the day-to-day care of the children. The childminder has given thorough consideration to safety, developing detailed risk assessments for his home and the many outings the children take to minimise any risks. In addition he is vigilant and supervises the children very well, gently reminding them to sit on their chairs, rather than stand, when they are doing a creative activity at the table. The childminder provides a very healthy balanced diet for the children, plenty of fresh air and exercise, and opportunities for children to wash their hands and blow their noses as part of the daily routines which promote their health effectively. There childminder has a very strong commitment and thorough understanding of

p.3

provision

procedures to safeguard the welfare of the children in his care.

p.4

provision

The partnerships between the childminder, parents, carers and others involved in the lives of the children are exceptional. The varied communication channels, such as daily discussion, notices, learning journeys and regular newsletters, provide excellent opportunities for the adults to work together to support children and meet their individual needs. The childminder willingly works with other providers, such as the local pre-school, to develop the children's interests and knowledge. He takes his chickens to visit the pre-school, for example, and to talk to the children about what they eat and do. This enables the minded children to develop strong links and a secure sense of belonging in each setting.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a strong commitment to childminding and to developing his service for the benefit of the children. He has recently studied for and obtained a childcare qualification, and ensures he has an up to date knowledge of childcare trends as he attends very regular training events. The childminder is able to reflect on his service and continually strives for improvement. He works alongside his co- childminder very well to develop the service for the children. The systems for evaluating his individual practice are not yet established enough to reflect clearly on all aspects of his childminding.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive in the care of the childminder. They make good progress in their learning and development as they enjoy an excellent range of exciting activities which encourage their progress. They enjoy a wide variety of outings, to museums, parks, taking a journey on a steam train, for example, to explore the world around them. They plant sunflower seeds in the garden and observe how they grow, comparing their height and size as they develop an understanding of early mathematical concepts. They love to look at books, sing rhymes together and listen to favourite stories which encourage their language and communication skills.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

As they play the childminder supports them well. He encourages the children to recognise the letters on a play computer, or talk about the foods they are playing with in the role play kitchen. They count cars together when they are out and about, and recognise the colours of the toys and collage materials as they play. They are not always challenged enough to think things through and use their problem solving skills, however. The childminder observes the children as they play, notices what they do and plans interesting activities to encourage the next This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 steps in their development, ensuring that they have plenty of well-planned play experiences to support their progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The indoor and outdoor areas are very well organised to support children's learning and development and offer many very exciting opportunities for exploratory play. The children love to use their imagination as they play with cardboard boxes to make dens and beds alongside more traditional toys indoors. Outdoors they have a wealth of opportunities to explore and develop their physical skills as they ride their tricycles around traffic cones, roll objects down a drainpipe, climb on the climbing frame and play with a good range of toys and equipment. In addition, the children are able to plant and grow vegetables in the garden and help to care for the childminder's chickens, collecting their eggs to cook and eat. This helps the children to develop an excellent awareness of where foods come from.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily opportunities for outdoor play ensure that children have plenty of fresh air and exercise to promote their health. In addition they walk to and from the local school each day. The childminder uses these opportunities to talk about safety issues, such as road safety. This is enhanced further when the childminder shows children individually how to cross the road safely, ensuring that they develop an understanding of how to stay safe.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are very happy and settled, they clearly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and have a very good relationship with him. This is evident as they laugh and have fun as they play together, and when the children seek out affection in the form of cuddles. The children are encouraged to develop positive self-esteem and to respect each other as the childminder praises them often and encourages cooperation. Children's differences are valued as the childminder ensures that they are all fully included and welcome. Children have opportunities to celebrate festivals which are familiar to their own culture, as well as celebrating and learning about other cultures. They are able to play with toys and look at books which reflect their own family backgrounds, helping them to have a strong sense of belonging and value. Children who have English as an additional language are well supported as the childminder discusses and agrees with parents how best

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

to support them as they develop communication skills.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall the children flourish in the care of the childminder, they develop a wide range of skills and attitudes which are beneficial to their future well-being. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8