Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397664 Inspection date 08/03/2010 Inspector Lynda, Margaret Ronan

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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 2009. She lives with her partner and one child aged six years in Timperley, Cheshire, close to parks, local schools and pre- schools. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently, there are three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a level 3 qualification in home based childcare.

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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

Children experience close relationships with each other and the childminder, helping them to settle and feel secure. Children are making satisfactory progress in their play and learning as they enjoy a breadth of activities. The childminder supports each child to participate in the activities provided. Parents' views are sort and respected, and the childminder is beginning to forge links with others who support the children, such as schools. The childminder has started minding very recently. She is keen to evaluate her practice and is starting to make some improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children (Promoting good health) 22/03/2010

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further?

 complete risk assessments for each type of outing, including an assessment of required adult to child ratios (Safeguarding and welfare) 22/03/2010

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further?

 record actions taken following a review of risk assessments or an incident (Documentation). 22/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 extend resources that support boys to develop positive images of themselves promote children's health by reducing the proportion of processed foods This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 offered  ensure observations are consistent and sufficiently focused to facilitate identification of sharp learning objectives.

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the early years provision

Children are protected in this setting because the childminder has an appropriate understanding about safeguarding procedures. She has recently completed some training in this area and is aware of what to do should she be concerned.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds sound and supportive relationships with the children's parents so that they are kept informed about her setting and their child's well- being. The childminder has devised policies and procedures which are beginning to guide and support her practice with the children. She shares these with parents, which gives them an insight as to how the setting is run. Parents also have access to photographic and written observations of their child, as well as an assessment of their child which uses the early years expectations as a base. On a daily basis, parents receive written information about the care of their child and what activities they have enjoyed. Parents are asked to contribute to this daily diary. The childminder pays very good attention to caring for children, making sure they have comfy cushions to sit on while playing on the floor and blankets to cuddle up in, and there is plenty of shared laughter.

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the early years provision

The childminder generally organises her record keeping appropriately for the efficient running of the setting. The childminder has completed training in paediatric first aid and keeps accurate and up-to-date records of accidents, which enable the childminder to ensure children's health needs are met should there be an accident. However, she has not sought written permission for the administration of medication to children, which could put them at risk and is a breach of regulation.

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the early years provision

The childminder accesses training offered by the local authority, which supports her in keeping her childcare skills current. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety around the home and involves them in becoming appropriately responsible for their own safety, for example, by demonstrating and talking about the correct use of a wooden hammer. She is not able to demonstrate that she has undertaken risk assessments for all types of outings she and the children enjoy, which means that she is less able to manage any hazards to children effectively. This is a breach of regulation. She has responded to identified risks in her home. For example, she recently assessed that a stair gate at the foot of the stairs posed more of a hazard to current children, all of whom are competent on stairs, than if there were no gate, and she removed it. Her record of risk assessments of her home does not reflect such changes, and therefore breaches regulation.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to develop and make use of systems to support the evaluation of her practice. She is starting to identify her strengths and some weaknesses in order to provide some ideas for future improvement. For example, she has adapted the way she records observations and the next steps in children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning so that they are ordered under the six areas of learning, which will allow her to track children's progress and any gaps in her provision more effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident within the setting. They settle quickly to play and enjoy a wide variety of activities which support their learning. They make choices and their independence is actively supported by the organisation of resources, which are at child height and labelled in pictures and words, and the thoughtful support the childminder gives, for example, to help children put on their own coats. There is a sound basis of resources available to children. However, the childminder is aware that few resources value the interests and strengths of boys as active learners and problem solvers.

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and outcomes for children

Children help themselves at morning snack time from a variety of fruit, which is accessible to them throughout the day. They are learning about healthy eating through planned activities, such as making their own place mats depicting healthy foods. Weekly menus are displayed and the childminder meets individual dietary needs. The foods offered to children are frequently processed foods, for example, potato cakes, crumpets, tinned spaghetti and bagels, which do not support the provision of a healthy diet. Children are keen to play outside and have access to outdoor play each day. Consequently, they are beginning to develop a growing understanding about being healthy.

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and outcomes for children

Children like to chatter about their daily lives and discuss the books they read with the childminder. They have opportunities to use writing for a purpose, for example, to record bookings and telephone numbers in the well presented role play area which is designed as a travel agents. Children learn that print carries meaning and gain basic skills that underpin reading and writing. The childminder supports this appropriately by listening to them, prompting them with questions and sharing stories with them. Many of the activities which the children enjoy are led by them. For example, they like to play families, ask for favourite books and get out the jigsaws. The childminder also supports other aspects of their learning and development through baking, playing in sand, painting, gluing and sticking, and playing with small world equipment, such as dinosaurs and zoo animals.

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and outcomes for children

There are good systems in place to observe children, to identify the next steps in learning and to assess children, which in general are used to provide activities that challenge children appropriately. However, on occasion, observations are too broad to enable the childminder to identify focused, smart challenges for children. Therefore, some activities offered to children do not pose enough of a challenge to them. For example, children easily and competently complete inset jigsaws and hammer pegs through a board. However, other activities, such as a story about Hanukkah, offer too much challenge. Children's learning is supported by their participation in other provisions, such as the local children's centre and childminder group.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well in the setting. They listen to the childminder's explanations This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and kind reminders to share and take turns. She frequently offers them praise and encouragement and they are keen to earn stickers for sharing well. Children are learning about their own and other festivals because the childminder provides planned activities. For example, they celebrate Chinese New Year. 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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