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 EY379053 Inspection date 24/02/2009 Inspector Anne Mort

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and three children, of whom two are adults and one is a teenager, in Horwich, near to Bolton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's provision is satisfactory. She adequately provides for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and is currently working on ways to promote her provision. Children make progress in their learning because the childminder offers suitable play equipment and outside experiences. However, she is not fully aware about the early learning goals and so does not use her observations of children at play to plan activities across all areas of learning. The childminder is positive in her attitude towards inclusion. She establishes communication with parents in written agreements and daily conversation. She is not fully aware of, and has yet to establish, a system for self-evaluation with regards to her overall provision, consequently areas remain for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review risk assessments of the premises to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked  review written policies and procedures made available to parents, to illustrate that they fully reflect own practice.  update complaints policy  develop knowledge about the early learning goals to present children with experiences across all areas of learning, in order to evaluate their abilities and plan for their individual next steps in their learning journey

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure hazards to children in the rear garden are kept to a minimum. 25/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Through some self-evaluation the childminder is aware of the good aspects of her practice. For instance, children settle well in an organised environment where their health is supported. The childminder builds good relationships with parents. In daily conversation with the childminder they are kept informed about her setting and their child's well-being. She e-mails photographs of their children at play to them, to inform about what they have been doing. Parents provide details about their child and agreed contractual and written consents between the childminder and parents are established. This promotes partnership with parents to enable children to have the support they need. The childminder makes parents aware of her role in child protection procedures and they know how to make a complaint. However, the complaints policy has not been updated to fully reflect the welfare requirements. The childminder has sought help to establish informative

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provision

documentation for parents. For example, written policies and procedures that demonstrate the running and routine of a childminding provision. But the childminder has not adapted these, resulting in some policies not reflecting the childminder's own practice.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for children. There is an attractive, designated play room and the childminder takes steps to ensure resources are easily accessible with clear play and walking space. This promotes children's independence. Full consideration is given to babies and resources are carefully monitored that they remain suitable if babies are present. Toys and equipment are inspected regularly to ensure they are safe and suitable for the children attending.

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provision

On the whole, the childminder promotes children's safety in her home and takes steps to minimise hazards. For example, the provision of smoke alarms, a locked entrance door with additional high sliding bolt and a room gate. Written risk assessments of the premises are in place but do not note when a risk has been checked and by whom. General, daily safety checks support children's safety, however, hazards are identified in the garden.

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provision

The childminder gives due consideration to children's safety when on outings, for instance often going out with other registered childminders, to ensure suitable and safe back up if needed. She considers how to provide continuous care to her minded children and can secure the aid of other registered childminders in the event of an emergency.

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provision

In discussion, it is evident the childminder has the capacity for improvement. She acknowledges areas for improvement and seeks help from other registered childminders. She is currently attending a training course and has recently obtained helpful guidance materials, to develop her knowledge base and enable promotion of her childminding provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has recently acquired a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage relating to the welfare, learning and development requirements. She is currently becoming aware of the content and is starting to make plans in order to fully meet the requirements. She is already aware of the developmental stages of children and provides suitable resources, bearing in mind the differing needs of babies and older children. In discussion with parents, she becomes aware of a child's background and she takes this into consideration when caring for a child. Information about a child's achievements are shared with parents on a daily basis when the child is collected. A daily diary is completed about the events of the day and children's dining and sleep patterns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a flexible daily routine that incorporates outings. This allows children to use their existing skills in both indoor play and when visiting outdoor play venues where they have more physical space to move their bodies and develop large muscle control. The childminder is observant of children's play, with photographs in place illustrating various activities, but there is no clear planning of how children's learning and development will be taken a step further, to build on what they already know and can do.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The clean and well maintained play environment supports children's learning. Children are happy and familiar with the setting. They play and enjoy a variety of resources that support their learning. For instance, they have the use of books, creativity materials, fixed bead threading, jigsaws, construction items, soft toys, cars, dolls and a 'play' kitchen. Children develop self-help skills because of the low storage baskets which enables them to choose what they would like to play with.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They learn social skills as they help to tidy up and learn spoken language is a means of communication. They can make their needs known and the childminder uses age appropriate language to promote their developing vocabulary. Babies emotional needs are supported because the childminder is kind and gentle when dealing with their care requirements. She accommodates their dining and sleep patterns. She frequently checks on babies who are asleep and reassures them upon waking. She sits and cuddles them and offers a drink.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's manipulative skills are encouraged, for instance, indoors in the use of car play, jigsaws and crayons. The childminder talks about the names of colours with children, thus they develop early colour recognition and their self esteem is raised as the childminder praises their memory recall. Their self-help skills develop, for instance, they are given time to put on their own socks and their self esteem is raised because the childminder praises their ability.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are secure and happy in the childminder's care and she is aware of their non-verbal communication. For instance, they are aware of their own needs and can indicate these to the childminder when needing to visit the toilet. The childminder teaches good hygiene practice by gently reminding children to wash their hands afterwards and their independence is promoted because she provides suitable toiletries and a child's own towel is within their reach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A healthy lifestyle is supported. Children have the opportunity for fresh air and exercise in their trips out. The childminder plans healthy meal and snack options, such as vegetable ravioli, yogurts and fruit. Parents wishes are respected and some parents of babies send in their own food. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4) 25/02/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4) 25/02/2009 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.

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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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