Childminder in Oldham

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 EY318196 Inspection date 30/06/2009 Inspector Susan Elaine Heap

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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 January 2006. She lives with her children aged 14 and two years in the Chadderton area of Oldham, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Access to the front and rear of the building are via a small step. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 minding four children in this age group who attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a very good knowledge of the children she is caring for. This enables her to provide a stimulating range of activities both inside and outside the home which ensure that each child makes good progress in all areas of learning. Children are safe and secure at all times because highly effective and rigorous measures are in place. The childminder shows a good level of commitment to improvement through self- evaluation and refection on her daily practice. Emphasis is placed on having quality working relationships with parents which means that inclusion is fully reflected in practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation, assessment systems to ensure that each child's next steps in their learning and development are identified and planned for.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a high level of commitment to developing a professional service. Through self-evaluation she accurately reflects on her key strengths and successfully identifies the areas for improvement which will have the most significant impact on the outcomes for children. She is enthusiastic about developing her knowledge and understanding through training and has already identified further courses she wishes to attend. Appropriate steps have been taken This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to address recommendations arising from the last inspection, such as obtaining written permission from parents before administering medication and keeping the contents of her first aid box well stocked. These have successfully improved children's care and welfare.

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provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded as the childminder places high emphasis on this. Rigorous written risk assessments of the home and equipment are in place and she has obtained detailed risk assessments of areas and play facilities that she visits the children. She successfully develops children's knowledge and understanding of safety through discussions and planned activities such as, visits to the fire station on open days or talking about road safety as they are out and about in the community. The childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues and has all the relevant contact numbers and procedures in place should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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provision

She has comprehensive written policies and procedures in place which clearly underpin her very good practices and successfully promote children's care and welfare. These are effectively shared and implemented with parents. A wealth of information is available for parents about children's learning and development. Posters and displays give them information about the Early Years Foundation Stage, and children's individual files and photograph albums are readily accessible which give a pictorial and written commentary of their activities and progress. These are truly unique and demonstrate how the childminder values each child and provides an inclusive service. The childminder encourages parental involvement through daily conversations which enable her to discuss any changes required to children's daily routine, and through the completion of questionnaires which help her to reflect on and improve her daily practice. Very positive written feedback

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provision

from parents is available. These comment on the high quality of care and activities offered and how much they value the daily verbal contact of how their child is progressing. The childminder has informal discussions with local schools who also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children who also use her service and has obtained copies of their newsletters and activities. As a result, she is successfully able to extend the children's learning and development, such as practising letters and sounds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has successfully embraced the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has a secure knowledge of the requirements. She demonstrates a very good knowledge of the children in her care, their likes and dislikes, and has made an excellent start on implementing observation, planning and assessment systems which clearly chart children's progress through the six areas of learning. However, the next steps in children's learning are not always fully identified and planned for.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's approach to developing children’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle is very good. They enjoy an excellent range of activities which develop their physical skills, such as riding bikes, walks in the local community or countryside to feed the ducks, ball games or playing with play dough. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice their mark making skills as they explore shaving foam or use tools and equipment, such as paintbrushes, crayons and pencils. Each child has their own towel in the bathroom and the youngest children wash their hands after they have had their nappy changed which helps them to develop good hygiene practices and prevents the risk of cross infection. Children benefit from a healthy diet and are developing a very good understanding of healthy eating as they choose their morning snack from an attractively presented fresh fruit platter. Children who have

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

specific dietary or medical needs are extremely well catered for by the childminder who works effectively in close partnership with parents to ensure their welfare needs are successfully met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. As a result, children particularly benefit from daily routines which offer consistency and effectively meet their individual needs, such as attending toddler groups or play centres. This ensures children have access to a very good range of activities which offer challenge and fun and also extend their play and learning opportunities The childminder supports children exceptionally well in their learning and development. She spends time at their level, interacting with them, developing their language and encouraging them in their play. For example, giving lots of verbal praise and repeating words to develop their confidence, self-esteem and language while completing a letter and shape matching activity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive in a warm, welcoming and homely environment which is well- organised and enables children to make choices and develop their independence. They develop secure and trusting relationships with the childminder and the other children. For example, they actively seek reassurance from the childminder when they are tired or unsure of visiting adults. There are good opportunities for children to learn about diversity and the wider community through discussions and activities which link to other cultural festivals throughout the year; looking at books or playing with toys which portray positive images of different people 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? 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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