Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 315624 Inspection date 24/05/2010 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

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 1999. She lives with her husband on a residential estate on the outskirts of Bolton, close to local schools, pre-schools, shops and parks. Minded children have use of a large conservatory arranged for the purpose of childminding, the childminder's dining area and access to a downstairs toilet. There is also an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Minded children use a separate entrance into the home.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for five children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a nationally recognised childcare qualification.

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

All aspects of children's welfare learning and development are effectively promoted by the childminder who values each child's unique contribution to her setting. Children benefit from particularly secure and nurturing relationships with the childminder, who knows each child well and expertly fosters their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder supports children well and provides an excellent range of activities and experiences within an exceptional learning environment. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder works in partnership with parents who are warmly welcomed into her home. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is strong and she effectively evaluates her provision in order to secure further improvements.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve records relating to the administration of medication  develop records of children's learning and development to show clearly their continued progress towards the early learning goals in each area of learning, given their starting points, also develop the links between identified next steps in children's learning and planned activities  encourage parents to review and contribute to records of their child's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder has recently completed relevant training and is clear about her role and responsibility. She is able to identify possible indicators of abuse and implement appropriate procedures to protect children from possible harm. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety within her home and while on outings. Thorough risk assessments are routinely completed and appropriately documented, consequently, children move safely around designated areas within the childminder's home and garden. Children benefit from a stimulating child-centred environment. The childminder has created a professional, well presented playroom for children to explore. An excellent range of high quality play materials are easily accessible, storage containers are clearly labelled with words and pictures, and an abundance of artwork, photographs and information for parents is attractively displayed.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is a very experienced and qualified practitioner who is committed to the continued development of her service. Since her last inspection she has embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and ensured her own professional development through independent research and reading. She has implemented an effective process of self-evaluation and routinely reflects on her practice and the service she provides. As a result, she has devised new systems for observing and monitoring children's progress and has well targeted plans for future improvements . For example, developing the outdoor play area and encouraging parents to share more information about their child's learning and development. Attention to documentation is generally very good; the childminder is very well organised and routinely reviews policies and procedures. However, records relating to the administration of medication lack clarity; for example, it is unclear when

p.5

the early years provision

parental signatures are obtained and details of the dose required are not always entered.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service and activity promotes equality and diversity. Positive images are evident throughout the setting and the childminder is a positive role model. She naturally encourages children to appreciate and value differences, raising their awareness of their own and the cultures and beliefs of others. Partnerships with parents are strong, who are very well informed about the setting's routines, policies and procedures. Newsletters, noticeboards and displays are effectively used to share information about the activities children experience and future topics or themes. As a result, parents can continue to support their child's learning at home. Records of children's learning and development are available; however, parents are not actively encouraged to review and contribute to their child's record. Information about children's progress is routinely shared verbally and the childminder works very closely with parents to agree care needs

p.5

the early years provision

and routines before children attend. Daily diaries are maintained for children under two years. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a stimulating child-centred environment. Their personal social and emotional development is expertly fostered by the childminder who knows each of the children in her care very well and effectively meets the individual and group needs of the children simultaneously. Consequently, children of all ages demonstrate a very strong sense of belonging. Very young babies confidently explore their surrounding, reaching out and crawling to investigate interesting items outside their reach. Older children move purposefully around the setting, making meaningful choices about what they play with and where they spend their time, moving freely between the playroom and the outdoor area.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's continued health and wellbeing is very effectively promoted by the childminder who explains the hazards associated with the sun and prepares children well for outdoor play. For example, applying individual sun creams and reminding children of the importance of wearing their hats. Children are well hydrated and activities are provided in shaded parts of the garden to ensure children can enjoy the warm weather and play outdoors safely. Children are well nourished and mealtimes are valued as an experience. Children enjoy home cooked meals and dine together, refining their self-help skills as they learn to feed themselves or use a knife and fork correctly. Children are becoming increasingly aware of their own safety because the childminder routinely highlights potential hazards and explains how children can keep themselves safe, for example, holding on tightly when climbing the steps to the slide. Planned activities, such as role

p.6

and outcomes for children

play, help raise children's awareness of road safety.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are motivated by their surroundings and benefit from a varied range of both adult and child-led activities. The childminder understands how children learn and provides many meaningful first-hand experiences which help children become active and inquisitive learners. For example, children observe first-hand the life cycle of a butterfly and watch as the butterflies emerge from they cocoon, then release them in the childminder's garden. Children are interested in the written word; they listen intently to stories and quickly request another when the childminder finishes reading. Props are used very effectively, for example, children use finger puppets to act out familiar extracts from the 'Owl babies' and delight when the childminder uses a large hand puppet of the 'big bad wolf' when telling the story of 'The Three Little Pigs'. Children have daily opportunities to develop key skills for the future, for example, in communication, literacy, numeracy and

p.6

and outcomes for children

information and communication technology.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware of each child's capabilities and plans a board curriculum which incorporates all areas of learning. In practice the childminder skilfully adapts planned activities to meet individual leaning needs but this is not clear in written plans. The childminder completes a monthly observation and identifies next steps. However, these tend to focus on subsequent activities rather than developmental objectives, and the limited number of observations fails to provide a clear record of children's continued progress towards the early learning goals in each area of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. In addition, the childminder is mindful of children's staring points but they are not included in records of children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 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.8

Stage

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

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9