Childminder in Bolton

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 EY376477 Inspection date 05/01/2009 Inspector Alison Tranby Sturges

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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 has been registered since July 2008. She lives with her husband and 21 year old son, in the Bradshaw area in Bolton, Lancashire. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Areas used for the purpose of providing a childminding service include the whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom. There is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local childminder drop in centres and is a member of the NCMA. Local amenities, such as the Smithills country park, Moss bank park also Jumbles reservoir, schools and the library are within a short walking distance away. The Childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age range. One child attending has English as an additional language. There are currently no children attending with a special need.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has level 3 qualifications in early years child care and education

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder uses skills and knowledge of children to develop abilities and maintain their interests. She effectively promotes their welfare and learning. Children are making very good progress and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend at the childminder's. Children experience a well balanced range of adult and child led activities both indoors and outdoors. Inclusive practice is positively fostered, children’s individual needs are well met and they actively learn about the wider world. Self evaluation is enabling the childminder to begin to identify strengths and priorities for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the outdoor play area is included within current risk assessments  ensure the fire surround is made safe and storage of cleaning products in the bathroom are not accessible to older children  ensure that risk assessments are dated and reviewed regularly at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises.

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provision

The childminder has ensured she remained up to date with current training requirements and attended all relevant training courses. Experience and knowledge of childcare enables her to respond well to the needs of current children and their families. The childminder is familiar with self evaluation and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 although in its infancy she is confident in identifying her strengths and areas of improvement. She is experienced and committed to developing the service provided. A comprehensive range of written policies have been formalised to help inform parents about childminding procedures and to ensure consistency in the childminder's practice.

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provision

A positive partnership has been fostered with parents, they speak highly of the childminder and the care their children receive. The childminder works with parents to ensure children's home routines are followed also to ensure they feel secure and have continuity of care. Daily discussions and a diary sheet provides good opportunities to share information and to keep parents well informed about their child’s day, progress and any issues. Children are protected by the childminder who has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, effective safeguards in place to keep children protected and a sound awareness of her responsibilities. Children are generally kept safe, however, some risk assessments are yet to be completed and the childminder needs to certify they are reviewed regularly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a broad range of enjoyable, interesting and challenging activities encompassing the early learning goals and the six areas of learning. There is a good balance of adult and child led play experiences. Children confidently make choices from the good range of resources and activities. The childminder is very skilful at extending children’s learning through activities and discussions. She uses observations to gain an understanding of children’s interests and their abilities. This information is used effectively to plan for the next steps in children’s learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have lots of opportunities for play and exploration both indoors and outdoors, local amenities, such as the animal farm and pet’s corner, are frequently visited. The childminder also attends the local childminder drop in group to enable socialising, and large physical play opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active learners and have lots of opportunities to explore natural materials, through treasure baskets. They also participate in a variety of messy, creative and sensory activities, such as sand, water, play dough, cornflour or pasta. Play encourages early problem solving, numeracy and reasoning. Children actively and enthusiastically pour, mould, sift and measure the malleable materials. Children are becoming increasingly confident communicators as the childminder extends language reinforcing recognition of colours, shapes and descriptive words, such as long, short, big and little. Children learning English as a second language benefit form the childminder’s skill in developing language and the other children who are providing role models and clearly enjoy instigating word repartition games, such as asking who is at the door and naming family members one by one.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Musical instruments and CDs are used to enable children to experience music and movement. The play provision is well planned and clearly designed learning areas are created by the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The main lounge accommodates a play tent and a quiet restful area. The children clearly enjoyed using the area before having a rest and sit in the tent playing peek- a- boo with the childminder and instigating story time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are showing a keen interest in the local community. They love to go on nature walks or to the local parks. They have access to a very good range of resources that provide positive images of culture, gender and disability and help them learn about and value difference.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are starting to develop self help skills, such as feeding themselves. Children happily help to tidy up to prevent toys becoming tripping hazards. An understanding of personal safety is also developing and one child pre-empted the childminder when placed in the highchair by stating they needed the safety harness on to stop themselves falling out. During walks the childminder reinforces safety by discussing the independent walking child to hold the pram or childminders hand. 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? 2 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?

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration and the provider has had no complaints recorded in their complaints file.

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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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