Cook, Tracey Clare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY265201 Inspection date 16/03/2010 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 10 years in Flixton, Trafford. The childminder's husband and sister are both assistants who provide occasional support. The childminder has a childcare qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The lounge, playroom and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a cat and two gerbils as pets.

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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. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children are cared for in a safe and fully inclusive environment where their welfare is successfully promoted. The childminder knows the children well and meets their needs effectively. The children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder shares positive working relationships with parents and good arrangements are in place to keep them informed about their children's daily activities and developmental progress. Effective systems are in place in relation to self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all required documentation is available for inspection purposes.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has attended training in relation to safeguarding children and she has a secure understanding of her duty to protect children from potential harm. The children are kept safe as the childminder maintains a safe environment. She has developed comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the premises and all activities outside of the home to ensure that the children stay safe at all times. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to meet children's needs and to ensure that the learning environment is accessible to all the children. The playroom is well resourced and conducive to children's learning. All required documentation is in place. Although, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 during the visit; the childminder was unable to locate the record of information for one minded child.

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the early years provision

The childminder's aim is to provide a secure, caring and stimulating environment where children can learn through play at their own pace. The childminder is an enthusiastic childcare practitioner. She demonstrates clear ambition and has a good commitment to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder has regard for her own professional development and children's well-being as she attends lots of training to further develop her childcare practices. The systems in place regarding self-evaluation give a comprehensive analysis of what is done well and areas planned for further development. Parents and children are fully involved in the evaluation process and the children are central to all decisions made. The recommendation from the last inspection has been met. The childminder plans activities taking into consideration the children's individual needs, capabilities and interests. Future plans are well targeted to secure further improvement and

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the early years provision

The childminder places a very strong emphasis on valuing children. She ensures that the environment is warm, welcoming and accepting of everyone. The childminder has experience of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet children's additional needs. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the setting and regular news letters keeps them informed of any forthcoming events. The childminder maintains children's individual daily diaries to keep parents informed about their children's daily routines and activities and children's developmental records are sent home on a regular basis so parents can look at them. Written references from parents show they are happy with the service provided. Parents comment that the settling in procedure is tailored to meet children's individual needs. They feel that the childminder is reliable and friendly and is flexible to meet the needs of working

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the early years provision

parents. They praise the way in which the childminder plans lots of interesting activities for their children and the way in which she embraces different cultures. The childminder has established good links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable her to provide continuity in children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder spends time with the children and gives them lots of attention. She is skilful in knowing when to allow the children to play uninterrupted and when to intervene to support them in their play and learning. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and she values children's uniqueness. She shares warm close relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. Effective procedures are in place regarding planning and assessment. The childminder maintains children's individual development records. These include written observations of the children at play, their next steps in their learning and recorded notes of their developmental progress. The childminder also uses photographs and examples of children's artwork to illustrate their enjoyment and achievements. The children are happily engaged and occupied in a range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

interesting activities. They also benefit from activities outside the home which helps them to develop an awareness of their local community.

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and outcomes for children

The children develop a strong sense of belonging. They have a wealth of opportunity to learn about themselves, each other and the wider world. The childminder truly values children's ideas and opinions and they are able to make a wonderful contribution. The childminder has meetings with the children and they are able to share their thoughts and ideas on topics, such as play activities, ideas for new equipment and toys and thoughts on food. The meetings also give the children an ideal opportunity to talk about their feelings in a safe environment. They are able to discuss their behaviour and problem solve together. The children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and they positively thrive on her interaction and attention.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows babies’ individual daily routines and this provides a secure and familiar environment for them. The childminder nurtures babies’ attempts to communicate. She listens when they babble and responds to help reinforce early speech patterns. The babies are able to move around freely and practise their large physical skills, such as sitting, standing and walking. They make connections as they handle and manipulate toys to find out how they work. Babies enjoy playing with toys that are colourful, tactile and that make noises and they use their senses to explore and investigate.

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and outcomes for children

The older children take an interest in what they see. The day before the inspection they visit a large digger parked outside the childminder's house. The children were really interested and the childminder talked to them about the work persons wearing high visibility jackets and hard hats and the wagon carrying the digger having a flashing yellow light. The childminder took some photographs and showed them to the children. The children use language well to recall this experience. The children have access to a range of natural play materials and they explore and respond to what they see, hear, feel and touch. They develop an awareness of technology as they have access to a wide range of interactive and information technology resources to support their play and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy making marks and patterns and drawing pictures with pencil crayons and felt tip pens. The childminder values the children's creativity and she talks to them about their pictures and admires their creations. The older children play with wooden bricks. They construct models by laying the bricks along and building them upwards. The children use words, such as long, short and tall to describe their models. With the childminder's help, the children balance planks of wood up and across to make a square. They are able to build two of these and they talk to the childminder about their model looking like a square window.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements strategies which promote children's social, physical and economic well-being. She exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection and the children develop an understanding of hygiene practices and personnel care routines. The childminder provides healthy snacks and meals to aid children's growth and development. The children enjoy baking activities and they make cup cakes, fruit kebabs and smoothies. The children enjoy playing in the garden. They run, walk and jump. The children play on sit and ride This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys and trucks and they are able to steer a pathway around the garden. The children roll a ball to the childminder's cat and the cat plays with the ball. The children climb and balance on the climbing frame and move their bodies through the spaces in the frame. The childminder shows the children a spider on the fence.

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and outcomes for children

The children are enthralled and watch closely as the spider scurries along the fence. 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 2 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 2

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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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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