Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY269783 Inspection date 24/09/2009 Inspector Patricia Graham

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband, who is an assistant, two adult children and one child aged 14 years in the Stalybridge area of Tameside. The whole ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. and when working with an assistant is registered to care for a maximum of six child at any one time in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding two children full time and two child part time. The childminder is registered on the Early years register and also makes provision for children older than the early year’s age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is registered to offer overnight care.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant strive to provide a stimulating environment ensuring children's individual needs are successfully met. Consequently, they make good progress in their learning and feel totally settled and assured. A secure awareness of the welfare requirements and partnership with parents further enhances children's care, safety and well being. Continuous improvements including those made since the last inspection demonstrate the childminder has the capacity to develop an ambitious vision for her childminding service. This promotes successful outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 obtain information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 20/10/2009

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop systems for working in partnership with other settings children attend to ensure continuity in their care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Systems are in place to protect children because the childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding procedures. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow regarding child protection issues and understands her responsibility to liaise with appropriate agencies if concerns arise. Consequently, children are safeguarded well. The childminder and her assistant ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. For example, in depth risk assessments are completed, which eliminate any potential risks and they offer excellent supervision ensuring children's safety at all times. This is further enhanced with some good activities, such as visits to the fire station, enabling children to gain awareness of safety issues.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant recognise the importance of working with parents to meet children's needs effectively. For example, parents are kept update on their child's day via daily diaries and verbal updates. This is complemented by an abundance of photographs displayed around the home and beautifully presented on a digital media frame. Good systems are in place for seeking information about children's starting points. As a result, the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each children and meets their individual needs well. Parents are fully included in the assessment process enabling them to take an active part in their child's learning. However, links are not fully established with other settings children attend. As a result, children do not fully benefit from continuity in their learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and endeavours to make continuous improvements. For example, she has systems in place to further develop the outdoor environment and recommendations from the previous inspection are addressed promptly. This promotes good outcomes for children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children access a good range of activities and resources enabling them to enhance their learning and development. For example, as children play imaginatively they refine their mark making skills as they write shopping lists and they chat confidently about their favourite foods. Their language and communication is further enhanced as they have good opportunities to use sign language enabling them to express themselves non verbally. They show an awareness of number as they count how many corners are on their toast, they name shapes competently and they classify objects as they pair socks and sort bobbins from buttons. They refine their physical skills as they have continuous access to an enclosed garden, which is well resourced with a good selection of wheeled toys and apparatus.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Good emphasis is given on planning activities which follows children's interests. As a result, children are continually stimulated and thoroughly enjoy their learning. For example, following a trip to Eureka, children display an interest in posting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 letters and this is fully incorporated as the childminder provides increased resources, such as envelopes, staplers, a post box and stamps enabling children to engage in activities based on their interests. Their learning is further extended as the childminder provides a post office which supports children's excursions into imaginary worlds. Children learn about their community as they venture on outings to places of interest. They value different aspects of their own and other peoples lives as they talk about differences, such as why people use wheelchairs. This is complemented with a good selection of toys and resources which reflect diversity.

p.5

and outcomes for children

As a result, children are gaining a positive awareness of others.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder has good systems in place to observe and monitor their progress as records of development clearly reflect children's achievements and next steps. A poignant feature of the childminding service is the effective way the childminder and her assistant nurture children enabling them to feel settled and totally assured. For example, young children are soothed as the childminder sings softly to them and all children benefit from consistent boundaries enabling them to understand right from wrong.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they are provided with healthy snacks and lots of home made meals. Children staying overnight benefit from warm drinks and supper before they are tucked up in a warm and cosy bedroom. Consequently, they are totally assured. Children develop independence with their personal care as they wash their hands at appropriate times and effective hygiene measures are successfully implemented. For example, children have individual hand towels, which minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder and her assistant are both qualified to administer first aid which positively enhances children's health and well being. Their well being is further enhanced as the childminder has good maintenance of records and polices. However, she does not yet have procedures in place for seeking information about parental responsibility. This is a specific legal requirement.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8