Childminder in Trafford

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 318256 Inspection date 05/05/2009 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is an adult and her other child is aged 14 years. They live in a house in Trafford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have guinea pigs and gerbils.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, under the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children on roll aged from three to eight years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children's welfare and safety are successfully promoted in a caring and nurturing environment. They have fun and thoroughly enjoy their learning because activities provided are interesting and capture their enthusiasm and imagination. The childminder respects the uniqueness of each child and shows a strong commitment to ensuring individual needs are met by developing good working relationships with parents to promote consistency in children's lives. She is committed to improving her practice by establishing further links with others involved in children's care, in order to promote the integration of care and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure continuity of care and education by sharing relevant information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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provision

Children's safety is promoted, as the childminder is proactive in ensuring required checks are carried out, to ensure all adults in her household are suitable. Record keeping is well organised and in order to ensure children's welfare. Thorough risk assessments are undertaken of the premises and children feel at ease in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role regarding safeguarding children and is fully aware of the procedures to follow, should a concern arise. Children enjoy playing with a good range of accessible toys and the childminder ensures resources meet each child's developing needs. This successfully encourages their independence and promotes their learning well. Boys and girls select their favourite toys and confidently follow their particular interests. The childminder organises her time effectively and divides her attention equally so every child feels valued.

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder reads relevant publications and shares ideas with other childminders, to support the continuous improvement of her childminding practice and to keep up to date with current childcare issues. A recommendation, which was made at the last inspection, has now been met and the childminder has informed Ofsted of a change to her premises to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure children's safety. The childminder is able to critically analyse her service through reflecting and self-evaluating her practice. This successfully promotes positive outcomes for children.

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provision

An effective partnership with parents contributes to meeting children's needs successfully. A range of policies regarding the childminder's practices and, books with written and photographic evidence of children's individual achievements are shared with parents and keep them well informed. Parents' wishes for the care of their children are taken into account, such as meeting specific dietary requirements. However, links have not been established with all providers involved in children's care to ensure continuity of care and education to complement children's ongoing learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and develop a sense of belonging. The supportive environment and the childminder's enthusiastic manner enable them to feel totally secure and, as a result, trusting relationships are formed. The day is well planned with a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. Children make good progress in their development as the childminder provides stimulating activities, which successfully motivate children to learn. The childminder interacts very well with the children and uses skilful questioning to challenge their thinking and encourage their communication. This enables children to become very confident communicators and they develop enquiring minds. The childminder knows the children well through undertaking observations and monitors their individual achievements successfully by assessing their learning. Clear plans are in place to support each child's next stage of development to ensure they reach their potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play purposefully and confidently make decisions about what they want to do. They enjoy including friends in their games and sharing a laugh together. The childminder continually praises children for their achievements, which enables them to develop a positive self-esteem. Excitement is shown as children spontaneously recite songs and rhymes, such as 'Twinkle Twinkle'. Mathematical awareness is well promoted and activities, such as baking, encourage children to problem solve as they weigh ingredients to make cakes. Children eagerly explore pattern using magnetic shapes and count how many scoops of water they will need to fill a container.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a keen interest in living things as they feed the childminder's pets and plant seeds to grow runner beans. They have access to a computer and become skilful in using the mouse. Tasting foods from other cultures and playing with resources reflecting diversity enables them to gain an understanding of the wider world. Children develop good skills with their hands and competently use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knives to spread butter on their bread, and become adept in using scissors. They experience a good range of physical play activities to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, playing in the childminder's garden with a range of equipment and regular visits to parks promote children's muscular strength as they balance on logs and learn to successfully negotiate walking across a bar. Good emphasis is placed on encouraging children's creativity. Children dress up in range

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of outfits and become engrossed in imaginative play as they make up their own amazing storylines and pretend to be doctors. They concentrate well as they create rockets using a range of recycled materials and talk about astronauts and the moon.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well nourished and benefit from a balanced diet to promote their growth and development. Meal times are a social occasion and children enjoy choosing from a wide selection of healthy options. They eagerly tuck in to carrot sticks and grapes and, with sensitive encouragement from the childminder, try new tastes. The childminder places emphasis on maintaining a hazard free environment and children develop a good understanding about how to keep themselves safe as they take part in regular evacuation drills. Effective practices are in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children become independent in their personal hygiene and act responsibly by placing their tissue in the bin, after wiping their noses. 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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