Pate, Cheryl

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 315740 Inspection date 09/06/2009 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 1998. She lives with her partner and twin daughters aged 15 in a terraced house in Farnworth, Bolton. The childminder has a childcare qualification. The lounge and kitchen dining room on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor 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. The family have a dog as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four 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.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and inclusive environment where children's welfare and learning are effectively promoted. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the service provided and their children's daily activities. 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?

 ensure the smoke alarm on the first floor is in working order.

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provision

The childminder’s home is well organised and gives the children opportunities to become independent. All required documentation is in place. The childminder has developed a full range of policies and procedures and these work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has a high regard for children's well-being as she attends training to further develop her childcare practices.

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provision

The childminder is an enthusiastic childcare practitioner who strives to further improve the service she provides. She reflects on her practices and evaluates activities. The childminder has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for development. Parents are fully involved in the evaluation process as the childminder has developed a questionnaire for them to complete to share their views. The recommendation from the last inspection has been successfully met. The childminder has made cleaning materials in the kitchen inaccessible to children and she now practises the emergency evacuation procedure with the children on a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regular basis, helping them to develop an awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency such as a fire. Since the last inspection, the childminder has also completed studying for a level three childcare qualification and she has extended

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provision

resources to further enhance children's play experiences.

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provision

The childminder ensures that the service she provides is fully inclusive and she makes parents and their children feel welcome. She works closely with parents to settle their children gradually to help them feel secure. The childminder has a policy in place in relation to caring for children who speak English as an additional language. This shows the childminder's commitment to valuing children's first languages and cultural backgrounds. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the setting. The childminder has developed a portfolio which includes 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. Completed questionnaires and recent 'thank you' cards show that parents are happy with the service provided, levels of care and activities afforded. Parents comment that the childminder is very

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provision

professional, re-assuring and reliable and that she provides lots of support and advice. They feel that the childminder forms good relationships with their children and that their children develop good social skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a wide range of interesting activities to help the children make progress across all areas of their learning and development. The children are happily engaged and occupied. They also benefit from activities outside the home to widen their experiences and to help them develop their awareness of the wider community. Effective systems ate in place in relation to planning and assessment. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she makes good use of the guidance practice documents to help her look, listen and note observations of the children at play and to plan next steps in their play and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder understands that every child is unique. She has a good understanding of children's individual needs and she meets these needs well. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children and she supports them well in their play and learning. As a result, the children are content and secure in her care. The childminder provides lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles to help the children feel secure and assured. The children develop a good sense of belonging. They are able to make decisions as they choose what to play with and what they would like to eat for their snack. The children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and thrive on her interaction and attention. The childminder makes the older children feel valued and involved as she encourages them to help care for the babies. For example, they help the childminder to set the table for snack time and pass the childminder the bibs for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the babies. The children receive lots of praise and appreciation for their efforts and achievements and this helps them to feel valued and develop confidence and self- esteem. The children have received smiley stickers for eating their breakfast and they are clearly proud as they point to their stickers on their T-shirts and smile. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Babies are able to move around freely and practice their physical skills such as sitting, crawling and pulling up to the standing position. They have a strong exploratory impulse and explore their environment with interest. The youngest children find out what toys can do by exploration and handling. They show interest in toys with buttons and flaps and learn how to operate them. The childminder nurtures babies’ attempts to communicate. She listens when they babble and use single words and she responds in gentle tones to help reinforce early speech

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises her time well. For example, she spends valuable one to one time with the older children whilst the babies are sleeping. The children enjoy a picture lotto game. They understand the concept of taking turns and tell the childminder it is her turn. The children are able to name the pictures and match them to the pictures on their boards. The children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts such as numbers from an early age. They play dominoes and are able to count seven dominoes each as they deal them out. The children understand the rules of the game and discuss them with the childminder before they start to play. The children develop hand eye co-ordination as they complete puzzles and build with stickle bricks. They use their imagination as they use the stickle bricks to build a garage for the cars. The children use language well to explain what they are doing and to recall past experiences. They talk about a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

recent visit to a farm. They recall feeding the goats and say they did not like the chickens. The children enjoy playing with small world resources and add a storyline to their game as they play with the pirates and a ship.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have lots of opportunities to enjoy physical exercise outdoors in the fresh air. They play in the garden, visit the park and a local country park. They have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment to help them learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder implements strategies to promote children’s social, physical and economic well-being. The children learn about personal care routines and they know they need to wash their hands to make sure they are clean before they eat their snack. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing a menu that is well balanced and nutritious. As a result, the children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating. There is a comprehensive risk assessment in place and this helps to eliminates risks to children. However, the smoke alarm on the first floor is not in working order and this compromises fire safety. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures and this helps to safeguard children's welfare. 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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