Childminder in BoltonOfsted inspection, 27 May 2009

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 307259 Inspection date 27/05/2009 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a detached property in Kearsley, Bolton.

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Description of the childminding

The lounge, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom in the annex of the property are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. Access is gained to the property at the front of the house on the ground floor level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides an environment which is safe, inclusive and promotes the welfare of the children. The good partnerships with parents and others involved in the lives of the children ensure that everyone works together to support the children and to meet their needs. Effective systems are in place in relation to self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written parental consent before medication is administered.

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provision

The childminder organises time space and resources well to effectively meet children's needs. She has developed a range of written policies and procedures and these work well in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. All required documentation is in place. However, on one occasion written parental consent was not documented prior to medication being administered.

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provision

The childminder has developed a self-evaluation document which clearly highlights strengths and areas for development. She uses practical and thoughtful reflection to monitor the service she provides and seeks parent's views through regular discussion. The childminder has successfully met the recommendation from the last inspection as she has attended training to further develop her childcare practices. The childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Since the last inspection, she has moved house and childminding now takes place in an annex separate to the family home, giving the children lots This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of space to move around and to extend their play. The childminder has also extended resources to further enhance children's play experiences.

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provision

The childminder values children and their families and she ensures that the environment is warm, welcoming and accepting of everyone. Parents are provided with a good source of information about the provision. The childminder has developed a port folio which includes information about the service provided and written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the introduction meeting, helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's needs and to promote their learning and development. With parental consent, the childminder has forged very good links with other early years settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and enabling environment. The premises is well organised, child centred and supportive to children's learning. Effective systems are in place in relation to planning and assessment. The childminder gathers information from parents about their children's starting points and the kind of activities their children enjoy. Planning shows a good balance of adult initiated and child led activities. Children's development files include observations, photographs and examples of children's artwork to illustrate their development and enjoyment. The children are happily engaged and occupied as they have access to a wide range of stimulating activities. They also benefit from activities outside the home and this enhances and widens their experiences and helps them to develop an awareness of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder devotes time with the children and gives them lots of attention. She has a good understanding of children's individual needs and meets these needs well. The childminder shares close relationships with the children, who feel at ease and are secure and confident in her care. This positive sense of well-being gives the children a secure foundation on which to play, explore and develop. The children develop a good sense of belonging. They clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and they thrive on her interaction and attention. The children receive consistent praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements and as a result, they feel valued and develop confidence and self-esteem. For example, the children paint pictures. The childminder talks to them about their pictures and admires their creations. The childminder helps the children to display their pictures by hanging them on the wall. The children stand back and look proudly at their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children develop good language skills as the childminder nurtures their communication. She listens when the children speak and responds to answer their questions and to extend their vocabulary. The children use language well to explain what they are doing, to ask questions and make their needs known. The childminder develops children's awareness of mathematical concepts as she introduces concepts such as simple number, shape and colour. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children enjoy imaginative play which helps them to develop an awareness of the world in which they live. They bath dolls, wash their hair and dry them with towels. They play in the home corner and use pots and pans to make drinks and a meal. The children enjoy being creative and are able to express their own thoughts and ideas as they make pictures using paint and collage materials. The children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop hand eye coordination and fine manipulative skills as they thread shapes onto a lace. They make a necklace and the childminder puts the necklace onto one of the dolls. The children have access to a wide range of natural play materials to help them use their senses to explore and investigate. They also find out about everyday technology as they have access to computers, calculators and remote controlled toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have lots of opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills in the fresh air as they play in the garden and visit the park and a local country park. All such activities contribute to the children's good health and physical development. They have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment to help them learn about their bodies and develop control and co-ordination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The premises are clean and well maintained and the childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The children develop an awareness of personal care routines from an early age as they wash their hands and brush their teeth at appropriate times of the day. The children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating because the childminder provides a well balanced and nutritious menu. Snack time is a relaxed and enjoyable occasion for the children. Written risk assessments are in place and these eliminate risks to children. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility as a registered person to protect children. She has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures and this ensures that children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. 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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