Squires, Suzy Danielle

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY377214 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and child aged 16 months in the Whitefield area of Bury. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The property is accessed via the ground floor and toilet facilities are also located on the first floor. The childminder has a childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom, two may be in the early years age range. She is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. There are currently three children on roll, within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder satisfactorily promotes all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development. Children benefit from loving and secure relationships with the childminder and are happy and settled in her care. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is adequately informed about children's needs and routines. Children are making steady progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a developmentally appropriate range of activities and encourages children to learn new skills. However, the assessment process is not well developed and links between observations and planned learning are weak. A process of self-evaluation is emerging, but is not yet sufficiently developed, consequently, it does not fully evaluate the effectiveness of the provision or identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements so that you can identify children's starting points and monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals more effectively  further develop written observations to ensure they highlight individual learning priorities and develop individual planning, based on ongoing observations of what children can do  provide a greater range of resources which offer sensory interest to young babies  develop the self-evaluation process to further improve the quality of the provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded by the childminder, who has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and is able to implement appropriate procedures to protect children from possible harm. The childminder has devised a detailed safeguarding procedure and this is effectively shared with parents. Systems are also in place to document existing injuries. Children are kept safe within the childminder's home because she conducts an effective risk assessment and takes appropriate action to minimise or eliminate risks. As a result, children move around freely and play safely. Young children are learning to keep themselves safe because the childminder provides simple explanations about everyday hazards.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving the provision she provides; appropriate action has been taken in respect of the actions raised at the previous inspection. Two recommendations were also raised; in response the childminder has further developed partnerships with parents and now provides opportunities for parents to contribute to their child's development records. In order to develop her self- evaluation process, the childminder has completed training, but this has had little impact and the process is still not sufficiently developed. The childminder is aware that this is an area of weakness and is seeking guidance to develop it further. Attention to documentation is generally good and all required records are satisfactorily maintained. However, the current procedure for obtaining parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment lacks clarity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a comprehensive range of useful and informative policies and procedures which are effectively shared with parents. Consequently, they are well informed about all aspects of the provision. Daily communication books ensure parents are well informed about their child's time with the childminder and include regular updates about key developmental milestones. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and the childminder takes account of this in practice, but details of children's starting points are not included in children's records. The childminder values each child as an individual. She discusses care needs thoroughly with parents and agrees specific care needs and routines to meet the needs of the individual child and their family. Such effective practice helps children feel valued, safe and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have developed a special bond with her. The childminder is mindful of significant milestones and actively encourages children to make progress towards them. For example, favourite toys are placed on a chair to encourage babies to pull themselves up to the standing position. Babies are very well supported by the childminder and have continuous opportunities to practise and refine their physical skills, consequently, they make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good progress in this area.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware of each area of learning and provides a suitable range of activities and play materials. This helps children make sound progress in their learning and development and develop skills and attitudes which contribute to their future economic wellbeing. From a young age babies enjoy listening to stories and singing time, which is used to develop new skills, such as clapping hands. Children have good opportunities to develop their communication skills and are making early attempts at speech. The childminder provides many opportunities for children to repeat simple words; she continually explains her actions, names objects and shares picture books with them. Early number skills and problem solving are introduced through everyday activities, such as singing number rhymes, completing simple puzzles and discovering how simple construction materials join together.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and inquisitive learners; they are interested to find out what happens when they press buttons on musical or electronic toys. They are fascinated by the contents of the childminder's homemade 'discovery bottles', which they roll and shake to examine the various contents, such as water and glitter. However, babies have few opportunities to explore items made of natural materials, such as wood, feathers or metal. Children are learning the importance of socially acceptable behaviour. The childminder gently reprimands inappropriate actions and reminds very young children that they cannot smack or take toys away from someone else. Distraction is effectively used to prevent an escalation of unwanted behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an experienced and qualified practitioner who has a satisfactory knowledge of child development, but does not yet have a secure knowledge of the practice guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, she is unable to effectively monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. Observations are regularly completed, but are not always sufficiently evaluated, so do not accurately highlight individual learning priorities. Consequently, records to date do not give a full picture of children's progress or provide details of how the childminder will promote the next steps in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is satisfactorily promoted because the childminder implements appropriate hygiene practices and ensures good standard of cleanliness are maintained. Children are often encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat. They benefit from a varied range of freshly prepared meals, such as tuna pasta bake. Fruit and yoghurts are routinely given after meals or as snacks. However, in addition, the childminder gives the children 'treats', such as biscuits and chocolate, which does not encourage young children to develop healthy eating habits. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

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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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