Atkins, Diane

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 502381 Inspection date 07/05/2009 Inspector Glynis Margaret Kite

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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 2001. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and 14 year old daughter. They live in a residential area of Whitefield a suburb of Bury. The whole of the ground floor and the front bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed front and back garden for the provision of outdoor activities. Access to the premises is at ground floor level.

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Description of the childminding

There are 17 children on roll, of these eight children are within the early years age range. All children attend a variety of full and part time places, including before and after school and holiday care. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered for a maximum of six children under eight at any time when working alone or a maximum of nine children when working with another childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives within walking distance of local shops, parks, a library, toddler groups and primary schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also holds the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder promotes the individual needs of children extremely well and works very closely with parents to ensure continuity and agreed patterns of learning. The childminder is highly effective in supporting children across the five every child matters outcomes and the overarching requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children benefit from both adult led and child initiated activities, which are well organised and thought through. The childminder has a very clear understanding of inclusion and this is evident throughout the whole of the setting. Effective management of the setting enables robust procedures for self-evaluation, leading to continuous improvement. The childminder liaises with other providers to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care for those children attending other settings that also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop resources which promote information, communication and technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is qualified to level 3 and is highly committed to continuing training for both professional and personal development. She ensures time is made available to attend training and uses any information, skills and knowledge gained to review and update policies, procedures and practice. The childminder strives to bring about continuous improvement through implementing a rigorous self- evaluation procedure and being fully aware of the strengths of the setting and areas for improvement. Previous recommendations have been addressed which demonstrate the childminder's commitment to improving practice when necessary. The childminder works with her husband, also a registered childminder on a daily basis. They share all tasks and responsibilities for the care and education of children attending their setting. However, she takes a lead role in relation to completing children's assessment records.

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provision

Children are well supervised and their welfare promoted extremely well, due to the effective partnership with another childminder and parents. Well organised systems are in place for the management of required records and documentation pertaining to the individual needs of children. The childminder has established strong relationships with parents and their comments in recent questionnaires are extremely positive in relation to their relationship with the childminder, the resources and experiences offered to their children and how well their children's progress is developing. All parents, in agreement with the childminder provide a packed lunch for their children. The childminder has also put in place clear assessments to share with other settings to promote the integration of the care and education for children attending other settings. The childminder demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of inclusion. She obtains detailed information

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provision

from parents at the beginning of the placement to enable her to provide suitable experiences and activities for each and every child. The childminder clearly knows the children well and they benefit from being in a homely environment, which is warm, welcoming and loving.

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provision

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for indoors, outdoors and the different types of outings that children engage in, the policy and procedure is effective in practice and underpins the safety of all children attending the setting. The childminder is fully aware of the needs of all of the children and takes positive steps to minimise potential hazards, at the same time supports children to take risks in a safe and secure environment.

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provision

The setting is extremely well organised in terms of resources. There is an extensive range of resources for children of all ages and stages of development. This incorporates both indoor and outdoor equipment. Consideration is given to the accessibility of the resources and to ensure even the youngest children can make choices, as their toys are stored at the lowest level. This also ensures safety because the youngest children cannot reach equipment that is unsuitable for them. The childminder has high aspirations for quality which is evident in all aspects of the work she does with the children and in terms of the organisation of the setting. 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 shares equally all responsibilities for planning and providing suitable activities for children with another childminder. Detailed observations and comprehensive assessments enable all of the children to make progress at their own pace. Children benefit greatly from the organisation of space and the extensive range of resources available to them. Children are happy and settled and enjoy a close relationship with each other and the childminder. Children are confident, polite and helpful towards each other. The setting promotes a fully inclusive environment, where the individual needs of all children are catered for.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have sufficient space indoors as there is a play room in addition to the space used in the front room. Both the front and back gardens of the property are used to offer outdoor play. Children have good opportunities to learn about wildlife and nature, for example, they go pond dipping for tadpoles and then watch them grow in the back garden. Children also plant flowers in the garden and have helped to create a natural habitat for real mini beast. Children learn about caring for living things as they can interact with the families pet rabbits if they wish. The childminder promotes the five every child matters outcomes for children very well and covers all six areas of learning within the planning. The childminder is flexible in her approach to allow children to follow their own interest. Children have access to continuous provision alongside adult led activities. Children are encouraged to have a say in what they do.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is a positive role model to children and leads by example. Children demonstrate they have good knowledge of their own needs and understand about keeping themselves safe, for example, children explain about the importance of applying sun cream before going out to play. Children also have good knowledge of personal hygiene and helping to prevent the spread of infections. The childminder helps children to develop self-help skills by encouraging them to help with basic tasks, such as helping to prepare for lunch. Children's lunches are supplemented throughout the day with healthy snacks, including a variety of fresh fruit. Routines for babies and younger children are maintained effectively. The childminder promotes sleeping outdoors for babies, this contributes towards their overall health and well-being and is promoted in agreement with parents' wishes. Children are safe and secure and are monitored by the childminder at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder pays a lot of attention to hygiene and safety for the benefit of the children. The premises are maintained to high standards of cleanliness and kept in good repair. The childminder pays particular attention to the cleanliness of floors as babies and younger children play mostly at this level, therefore outdoor shoes are not worn indoors to help to protect the youngest children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a wide range of activities away from the childminder's home. They learn about the wider world and their local community by participating in lots of activities, for example, they enjoy trips to the local park, museums and activity centres. Children are encouraged to develop skills through creative and imaginative play and have lots of resources at their disposal to do this. The childminder is able to demonstrate the wealth of experiences children have through displays, photographs and the children's development files. Children have good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 communication skills and often use number spontaneously during their play. Children show pleasure and delight when they achieve a task, such as completing puzzles at their level. The childminder supports individual children well, for example, giving guidance to complete the puzzles but without taking over or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

making a child feel that they cannot achieve for themselves. Children have opportunities to explore programmable toys and use various electronic equipment, depending on age, however, the childminder is currently developing the range of resources to provide increased opportunities to use information, communication and technology equipment. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, this helps to boost self-esteem and promotes confidence in the children. During discussion amongst themselves, children show they know right from wrong and recognise that it is important to be kind towards each other, this is encouraged by the childminder as she models good practice and acknowledges the children when they behave in this way.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active learners and stay focused with chosen activities for sustained periods of time. Children play cooperatively, independently and alongside each other, for example, during role play children play alongside each other at their own level. Children share the resources and older children take turns and are happy to help each other. Children behave well and older children have been responsible for setting ground rules. Children respond positively to the childminder and clearly enjoy the opportunity to make choices and to move around freely as they play. Children learn about their similarities and differences through planned activities and daily routines, such as at meal times. Children learn not to share food because not everyone can have the same food for religious or health reasons. Overall children make significant gains in their learning in relation to their starting points. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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