Childminder in Salford

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 EY364038 Inspection date 30/06/2009 Inspector Mary Kilroy

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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 2007. He lives and works with his wife, who is also a registered childminder at the premises and their adult son and grandchild aged 12, in Eccles, Greater Manchester. The whole ground floor, including a toilet and hand wash basin and the bathroom and childminder's bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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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. When working with another childminder at the above premises, they may care for a total of no more than 10 children aged under 8 years. They currently care for 11 children, who attend for a variety of sessions, six of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He has established links with other early years settings which minded children attend and that also provide the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the effectiveness of the provision is satisfactory and meeting children's individual needs and providing good first hand experiences of the natural world are sound areas of the provision. The childminder works well in partnership with his wife, using their individual strengths well to complement each other, and they demonstrate commitment towards achieving continual improvement. Children are making satisfactory progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage and observation, assessment and planning systems are developing well. Children's physical development is good and they are provided with a variety of ways to enjoy exercise and a healthy lifestyle. However, providing more opportunities for them to mark make and learn that everyday print has meaning, are areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide opportunities for children to see that everyday print has meaning and increase opportunities for them to mark make  complete a risk assessment of the barbeque and the procedures involved in the process  ensure emergency evacuation procedure is practised frequently enough to enable young children to become confident when it is used and start to learn strategies to remain safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder provides a stimulating and well organised environment, giving children choices and opportunities to become independent. Children are making satisfactory progress in all areas of learning and development. The daily routine promotes children’s welfare and meets their individual needs very effectively. All documentation is in place and there are written policies and procedures that positively promote children’s health, safety, achievement, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has sound understanding of the safeguarding children procedures and children are learning strategies to remain safe through reminders from the childminder of how many should be on the trampoline at a time and to sit at the table to eat. They understand the house rules around safety, such as helping to tidy away toys, so that no one trips over them and they learn road safety skills during walks to school. The childminder

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provision

enables them to take minor risks in a safe environment. A camera to the front of the premises monitors visitors and older children as they play and talk to friends. However, the emergency evacuation procedure needs to be practised frequently enough to enable young children to become confident when it is used and start to learn strategies to remain safe, and a risk assessment of the barbeque and safety of children whilst it is in operation, are areas to be addressed.

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provision

The childminder is committed and enthusiastic and strives to improve the service he provides. Children enjoy an inclusive environment that makes everyone feel welcome. Parents' views, both positive and negative, are acted upon. This helps him to successfully monitor the service he provides. Records for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage are maintained satisfactorily and children's individual needs are fully met. The childminder has cared for older children with additional needs to enable them to be in a safe environment after school. He tries hard to meet parents wishes and requirements, such as those of nursing mothers and parents who work long hours. The childminder is aware of the strengths and some weaknesses of the setting and is able to contribute to the self-evaluation process. It is used as a tool for future improvement. All recommendations from the previous inspection have been met,

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provision

to ensure children remain safe and healthy. All children are making satisfactory progress from their starting points and their individual needs are met well.

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provision

The childminder has developed written policies and procedures, which are discussed with parents. This helps to develop good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. Parents are provided with information about their children’s care, learning and development and are consulted about children's interests. They are able to contribute to planning, assessment and reviewing procedures. The setting works well in partnership with parents and others and has formed links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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 has satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of effective early years practice and links his activities to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Effective assessment procedures are being established and monitored to record children's progress and individual learning. Children's starting points are discussed on admission to the setting and the childminder successfully builds on their likes and interests. Regular observations, videos and photographs are used to inform planning and focussed activities are evaluated and enhanced to continually improve practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a good sense of belonging within the setting and access toys and join in conversation confidently, sometimes prompted by the childminder. A balanced range of resources are available for children across the age ranges. The childminder asks open-ended questions and successfully encourages children to problem solve, such as suggesting 'Let's press it harder' or 'Take it out slowly,' and 'What's this over here?' He supports the children as they play, offering effective suggestions and help as a last resort, for example 'That's the wrong side, let me help you' when a child struggles with Wellingtons, or 'The water's too high, lets turn it off.' The childminder ensures children have time to experiment, explore and re-visit their experiences and knows when to intervene and offer suggestions and explanations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to some mark making materials; however, there are limited opportunities for children to see examples of everyday print, to learn that it has meaning, in many areas of the provision, such as the home corner area. Children plant, tend, cook and eat fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, beans, black and blueberries, peppers and apples. Children enthusiastically search for and find the peppers, which have been moved into the sunshine, discuss caterpillars and ants climbing on, and eating, the fresh leaves. They know that ants move in a line and enjoyed making pictures of ants on nibbled leaves to take home. Children have good opportunities to learn first-hand about the natural world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have opportunities to count and calculate as opportunities naturally occur, such as counting stools to children and setting the table, and using programmable toys, tills and money to contribute to their future economic wellbeing. They are learning well about shape and colour as they play with glittery play dough. Children are willing helpers at tidy up time and match coloured lids to the dough containers. When the childminder intentionally puts the wrong lid on the pot, a child immediately tells him that it goes on the yellow pot. He encourages children to tidy up, using it as a learning experience, 'Put all the green play dough together. Make it into a ball.' Good position language, such as on, under and behind are used, and counting lids, 'one, two, Where's the other green one and the lid?' Children discuss shape and colour as they play and the childminder provides opportunities for them to learn and compare, such as asking them to make a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children help one another and prefer to bounce together on the trampoline rather than alone. They discuss their families with the childminders and are starting to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take turns and show concern for others. They use 'please' and 'thank you,' sometimes spontaneously and sometimes when prompted. The childminder asks, 'Do you remember...?' to stimulate their imaginations. Photographs and videos are taken to show activities and progress made and to stimulate children's imagination. The childminder names and acknowledges children as they play with dough, and they are eager to help to tidy up dough or set places at the table. Children are achieving well in the Every Child Matters outcomes. 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? 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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