Childminder in Manchester

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 EY251422 Inspection date 17/06/2009 Inspector Julie Firth

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the Northenden area of Manchester. Children have access to the lounge, dining room and kitchen. The dining room is not currently available for childminding. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a garden at the rear of the property for outdoor play. The family have a pet rabbit. 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 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.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently 8 children on roll and of these, four are on the Early Years Register. The childminder 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 satisfactory. Children are making sufficient progress in a warm, safe and inclusive environment. The provision for children’s learning and development is not yet fully developed with regard to systems for planning and assessment. The childminder has positive partnerships with parents but links are not fully developed in the wider context to promote the care and education of the children. She is beginning to reflect on her practice but there are no effective systems in place for self-evaluation. Therefore gaps in some aspects of the provision are not identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning to ensure activities cover all the six areas of learning, use assessment effectively to monitor children's progress  use self -evaluation effectively to monitor all aspects of the provision  ensure the phone numbers of the local children's board are obtained, record all incoming injuries to ensure the safety of children.

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provision

The childminder is committed, enthusiastic and strives to improve the service she provides. A structured daily routine promotes children's welfare well and meets their needs. All required documentation is in place and written policies and procedures work generally well in practice. This promotes children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. In the main, the childminder's home is organised to give children opportunities to become independent. All actions have been met since the last inspection to ensure the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety of children at all times.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children. The childminder gathers information from parents to ensure she has a good awareness of each child’s starting points. Daily communications and a diary informs them of their children's activities and a complaints procedure is in place. Children show great delight in taking home a bear over the weekend and involving it in family life. The childminder speaks daily to the local nursery regarding the children in her care. However, there is no consistency with external agencies or other providers to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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provision

The childminder is committed to meeting children's individual needs and is enthusiastic to attend further training. She recognises the importance of continuous improvement and she is beginning to identify the strengths and weakness of her provision. However, self-evaluation is not effective to fully monitor her service. She has an awareness of some safeguarding issues and a written policy is in place. She is able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, there are no phone numbers in place of who to contact if there is a concern. She questions parents regarding incoming injuries but does not keep a written record.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She demonstrates a sufficient knowledge and understanding of the early years foundation, making initial observations of the children. However, planning is not fully developed to demonstrate that the six areas of learning are covered in sufficient breadth and depth. Furthermore, assessments are in the early stages and do not indicate how children are progressing in their learning. Resources are generally accessible to enable children to make choices about their play The childminder provides positive support and encouragement to help children achieve, which promotes their self- esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good emphasis is placed on developing children's social skills which contributes towards their economic well-being. They enjoy interacting with each other, the childminder and her family. She enables them to make and follow their own decisions about their play. Their independence skills are promoted as they help to tidy away toys after play and dress themselves. Written observations indicate the childminder questions children during some focussed activities. Furthermore, they are developing their early writing skills as they hold a pencil when attempting letters of their name and show an interest in books. Children develop an awareness of numbers as they count bricks and through rhymes. Very young children have access to play activity centres using different shapes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing imaginatively with dolls and prams and have access to a suitable range of resources to express their creative ideas, such as paint, glitter and collage materials. They explore colour and texture as they create a place mat .They show an interest in battery operated toys that make sounds and light up. Young children observe the life cycle of a bee and they learn about different This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cultures which enhances their awareness of diversity. Children play outside in all weathers in the childminder's garden with a variety of wheeled toys. They visit the local park to use large equipment to balance and climb. Babies are given opportunities to assist them when they are ready to walk and have access to resources which encourage them to reach out.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being is promoted. Children learn about hygiene practices as they wash hands as part of the daily routine. They benefit from a range of healthy snack options to promote their growth and development and written menus are in place. Children sit together at meal times and the childminder works closely and flexibly with parents regarding children's feeding and sleep routines. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe, for example, road safety. They take part in fire drills and an evacuation plan is clearly displayed in the lounge. Daily checks are carried out to identify potential hazards and there are formalised written risk assessments in place for the home or outings. The childminder speaks of the importance of being a good role model for the children and through discussion she demonstrates how clear boundaries and house rules help children to behave well. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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