Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279449 Inspection date 01/10/2009 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 2004. She lives with her her husband and her three children aged 10 years old, eight years old and five years old in the Altrincham are of Trafford. The house is close to local schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, this comprises of the play room, lounge and kitchen/dining area. Minded children also have access to the bathroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden at the rear of the property is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, of these all are on the Early Years Register. The setting is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, to allow the childminder to care for older children. The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children are taken to and collected from the local nursery and primary school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Inclusion is generally well promoted and children enjoy the time that they spend with the childminder. Activities provided are fun and children are making some progress in the short time they have spent with her. Planning, observation and assessment is in place, but not fully developed across all areas of children's learning. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness for continuous improvement and is beginning to use self-evaluation to help them to monitor the service provided. She has established good relationships with parents. However, there are few systems in place to enable them to contribute to their children's learning and progress. She is aware of the importance of the links with the local school and has shown a commitment to working with Trafford Sure Start.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the planning to enable children to experience challenging activities around the six areas of learning  further develop the systems for observation and assessment to monitor children's progress  provide parents with opportunities to enable them to contribute to their children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All documentation relating to the welfare of children is of a good standard. The childminder undertakes rigorous risk assessments, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure that risks to children are minimised. These are reviewed regularly and trips for outings are assessed in detail and kept on a file. The childminder ensures that the welfare of the children is fully safeguarded. She has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow, should there be concerns about a child's welfare. She has attended further training to keep up to date with legislation.

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the early years provision

The childminder works to promote an inclusive service to children and parents. Procedures are in place to monitor her practice and she is beginning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. A good variety of additional training attended by the childminder furthers her knowledge to promote positive outcomes for children. All recommendations set on the last inspection have been met. She now keeps a suitable written record of all administration of medication to children and organises resources well to fully support children as they play independently.

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the early years provision

Parents show great satisfaction for the care their children receive. Written letters and notes indicate a good quality service and they receive a wide range of policies. The childminder communicates with parents daily and as she does with the children and she asks them for their children's starting points. However, at present they have few opportunities to comment on the progress children make or contribute to their learning. The childminder has a commitment to working with Trafford Sure Start. She understands the importance of liaising with the nearby schools where the children attend, to enhance continuity of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder is beginning to plan some activities for individual children. However, planning, observation and assessment systems are in the early stages, as children are new to the setting and still settling. Resources are accessible to enable children to make choices about their play in a bright, self contained playroom. This encourages their self help skills and equipment is clearly labelled for children to access at all times. Some photographic evidence in the children's booklets indicates fun activities. However, planning is not fully developed in depth around all areas of their learning. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a growing awareness of how to challenge the children and enhance their development. However, assessment systems are not fully effective to monitor children's progress. The childminder skilfully questions children to encourage them to become independent

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and outcomes for children

learners and supports them in daily activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's differences are recognised and they celebrate some festivals giving them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 an awareness of diversity. However, she recognises this is an area for future development. Children are not stereotyped and the childminder ensures that they are all included. Young children are helped to settle well and encouraged to feed themselves. They share good relationships with the childminder and they are well behaved. Communication and language skills are promoted throughout daily activities. Children are encouraged to make sounds and have access to mark making tools to suit their age and ability, such as large crayons for the younger children. Mathematical concepts are promoted throughout daily routines. For example, they observe numbers on a dice game and use props created by the childminder's daughter, as they sing five speckled frogs. They have access to

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and outcomes for children

Sufficient emphasis is given to developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Children have the opportunity to visit a farm to look at the animals and go to the local park. They have access to a variety of programmable toys and heuristic play is promoted, as they feel objects such as leaves and cones in the discovery box. They have many opportunities to engage in meaningful role play and a varied range of creative opportunities. They enjoy playing with small world, dressing up and are involved in painting the outdoor fence with a brush.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is clean, warm and well maintained. Furthermore, the childminder understands the importance of outdoor play. The garden is resourced to support areas of children's learning and they ride on wheeled toys, skip, jump and climb on the large fixed equipment. Photographic evidence shows children having fun in soft play areas in the local environment to promote their physical skills. Children enjoy nutritious meals which are home made. Menus are devised in consultation with children and parents to take account of likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Drinking water is freely available to ensure that children remain hydrated throughout the day. Furthermore, the childminder works very closely with parents regarding toilet training and respects their wishes when young children bring their own food. Good emphasis is put upon raising children's awareness of personal safety. Through activities, they are learning to take

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and outcomes for children

responsibility for their own actions. They practice fire evacuation procedures and they are made aware of the potential dangers of the road. The childminder also speaks to them about stranger danger. Children constantly remind themselves of the house rules which are displayed around the room. They are aware of the boundaries inside and outside the childminder's home. 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 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 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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