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 504879 Inspection date 14/05/2009 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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 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, adult children and child aged 15 years, in the Westhoughton area of Bolton, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The playroom, kitchen and cloak room on the ground floor are used for childcare. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children in this age group, all attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has successfully completed the Quality Assurance process, Quality First . She also holds a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children benefit from very secure and stable relationships with the childminder, who knows each child very well and continually meets their individual needs. She works closely with parents, who are very well informed about her childminding provision and how children spend their time. The childminder provides an excellent range of interesting activities that naturally stimulate children's learning through play and everyday experiences. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder's capacity to improve is good and a formal process of meaningful self evaluation is emerging.

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further?

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

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further?

 record children's starting points and develop the assessment process to provide a clearer picture of children’s progress towards the early learning goals, also encourage parents to review and contribute to their child's learning and development record and further develop partnerships with other providers delivering the EYFS  develop the system for self evaluation.

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provision

The childminder is a very experienced and qualified practitioner, who is committed to the continued development of her service through regular training and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reflection. Since her last inspection she has completed a good range of training courses. As a result of both training and personal development she has acquired a sound knowledge of both the welfare and learning and development requirements for the EYFS. Following training she has reviewed the systems she has in place and is committed to refining her process of observation and assessment. The childminder is well organised, consequently she is able to meet the individual needs of the high number of children she has in her care, whilst operating within her conditions of registration at all times. Attention to documentation is good and all written policies have been reviewed and updated to reflect the implementation

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. As a result of regular training, the childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and is able to implement appropriate procedures to protect children from possible harm. The childminder routinely completes risk assessments within her home and garden, which take account of the developmental stages of the children in her care, consequently children can move around her home freely and play safely. Particularly good consideration is given to children's safety on outings and detailed risk assessments are completed for every type of outing the childminder undertakes.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents and encourages them to share what they know about their child, which enables her to respond to children's changing needs and adapt routines accordingly. Parents of children under two benefit form a daily communication book, whilst other parents receive lots of verbal feedback from the childminder. This keeps them well informed about their child's time within the setting. Although, information exchanged in respect of children's progress in their learning and development is more limited. Parents are very well informed about all policies and procedures, including safeguarding, complaints and equal opportunities. Good procedures are in place to advise parents when policies are updated. Some good links with other providers delivering the EYFS are emerging. The childminder is aware of current themes and compliments these well, for example, discussing the new chicks with the children and giving them photographs

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provision

to take into nursery to contribute to their 'growing' theme. But systems are not yet in place to exchange information about individual learning or development needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's continued health and wellbeing is very effectively promoted by the childminder. Children are routinely encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat and are involved in the preparation of lunch which encourages them to try new foods. For example, children experiment with different fillings as they make wraps and choose which salad they would like to accompany their sandwich. Provision for outdoor play is very good, consequently children benefit daily from fresh air and exercise. Good consideration is give to promoting all aspects of children's physical development. For example, they use small tools with increasing skill as they learn to butter their own bread and have many routine opportunities to refine their fine motor skills through play. Children have constant opportunities to move freely and explore the childminder's garden. As they grow in confidence 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 introduces new challenges, for example, giving children who play confidently on the enclosed trampoline a ball to play with, which further promotes their coordination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have fabulous opportunities to learn about the natural world and living things. They are learning about the care of the chicken and quails in the childminders garden and know that one chicken lays eggs to eat whilst the other has got baby chicks. They enjoy growing their own plants and vegetables and help the childminder tend to the garden checking for weeds and monitoring the growth of their seeds and plants. The local environment is also well utilised and children visit a local pond to find frog spawn which adds to their increasing knowledge about the lifecycles of living things.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Everyday experiences are very well used to support and promote all area's of learning. Prior to a weekly trip to a supermarket, the childminder considers children's development and plans accordingly. For example, children may choose what they will make for lunch and help to find the relevant ingredients, count and weigh items of fruit and vegetables or identify numerals and letters as they point out signs around the store. Children delight in the vast range of first hand learning experiences the childminder provides, for example, exploring leaves and insects with a magnifying glass, searching for hidden toys in shaving foam and mark making in the sand.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very well supported by the childminder, who considers each area of learning and cross references observations and planning to identify any gaps in her provision. Consequently, she provides for all aspects within the area's of learning and children are making good progress. She continually supports children's developing language and communication skills and stimulates children's interest in the written word, for example, linking stories to children's life experiences. Children benefit from a well presented child centred play room, positive images are prominently displayed and effectively used to promote positive discussions which help children learn about and appreciate diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of children's individual stages of development and in practice provides very well for their future learning. Written observations are brought to life with relevant photographs which provide a record of what children can do. However, information about children's starting points is not recorded and observations are not always fully evaluated, so written records do not provide a clear picture of children's progress over time. 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

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