Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318222 Inspection date 22/06/2010 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a house in Altrincham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and a bathroom and one of the bedrooms upstairs are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently has five children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. She has links with a local school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Cache level 3 certificate in Childminding Practice and is a member of the Trafford Childminding Network which is quality assured.

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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

Children are well cared for in a positive environment, where they are respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder creates a harmonious atmosphere and promotes children's welfare and learning with success, ensuring they are safe and secure. Good relationships with parents and others involved in children's care and learning promote consistency of care and security in children's lives. The childminder is fully committed to implementing ongoing improvements and is aware that her system for self-evaluation requires development. A further area for improvement centres on inviting parents to contribute to the ongoing observations of their children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for self-evaluation to accurately identify strengths to build on and extend good childcare practice  build on existing good partnership working by inviting parents to contribute to the ongoing observations of children's learning to further support and meet children's developmental needs.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted as adults living within the household have undergone appropriate vetting procedures to ensure their suitability. Documentation is maintained in good order and a comprehensive range of policies regarding the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's practices, underpins the safe care and management of the children. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role regarding safeguarding children and robust procedures are in place, should a concern arise. Thorough risk assessments, daily safety checks and extra precautionary safety measures, such as, a carbon monoxide detector, protect children from potential dangers. As a result, children feel at ease in safe surroundings. The childminder organises her time effectively and divides her attention equally so every child feels included and valued. Children enjoy playing in a dedicated play room and independently select a

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the early years provision

variety of good quality toys, which meet their developing needs well. The childminder has a good awareness of the different learning styles of boys and girls and plans activities effectively to meet their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well qualified in childcare and undertakes training on a wide range of subjects to extend her knowledge and skills. To promote a good quality service and keep up-to-date with current issues in childcare, she shares ideas with other childminders, has regular monitoring visits from her network coordinator and attends monthly committee meetings of Trafford Childminding Association. Through ongoing reflection and beginning to self-evaluate her practice, the childminder is able to accurately identify and analyse what needs to be improved to support the continuous development of her service. Future plans are well targeted and the childminder has recently secured funding to purchase more challenging outdoor equipment to enhance children's physical skills. However, the childminder is less confident in self-evaluating her strengths to build on and extend good practice to further promote positive outcomes for children. Recommendations

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the early years provision

raised at the last inspection have been successfully met. For example, children now keep well refreshed, as they help themselves to a jug of fresh drinking water, which is readily available.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms strong and trusting relationships with parents, which enables her to build a highly effective working partnership. Parents are invited to share their views about the childminder's practices through the use of a questionnaire. The childminder values their opinions and takes them into account when planning how to meet their children's individual needs. Parents’ comments about the childminder are very positive and they are very happy with the care on offer. Children's individual files with evidence of their work, photographs, and achievements are available to view to keep parents well-informed about their children's experiences and progress. However, systems are not yet in place to invite parents to contribute to the ongoing observations of their children's learning to further support the childminder in planning to meet their children's developmental needs. The childminder has a well established relationship with a

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the early years provision

school who is also involved in children's care and education. Effective communication between the teacher and childminder ensure continuity of care and education for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, well settled and confident in the childminder's company and home. They look forward to attending, enjoy a trusting relationship with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder and get on well with her family. The childminder interacts very well with children and, as the she engages them in play, they take great interest in everything around them. Emphasis is placed on learning through play, exploration and fun, enabling children to enjoy a good time. The childminder has a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements and plans the day to encompass a wide variety of worthwhile activities. As a result, children make good progress in their overall development and develop a positive disposition to learning. The childminder knows the children well by undertaking good quality observations of their learning and through carefully assessing their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Information from observational assessments are used successfully to inform planning for the next steps in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children take a lively interest in their play and become active, inquisitive learners. They demonstrate good levels of concentration in everything they do and co- operate well, as they complete a complex jigsaw together and successfully construct, using building blocks. Children gain pleasure from books and spontaneously sing rhymes, as they play on the see saw. The childminder uses skilful questioning techniques to challenge children's thinking and encourage their communication. This enables children to become very confident communicators and they develop enquiring minds. Mathematical awareness is well promoted. Children enjoy exploring shapes and counting spoonfuls of ingredients during baking activities. They spend a considerable amount of time playing in the sand tray and learn about volume and capacity, as they fill containers.

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and outcomes for children

Children keep fit and develop good control and coordination over their bodies. Babies confidently practise new skills, as they repeatedly and ably throw a wooden ring. The childminder organises the planning of the day to enable children to participate in their favourite activities. For example, boys who have a passion for being active and physical particularly enjoy playing outdoors in the childminder's garden, as they eagerly scramble through a play tunnel and confidently climb. Children enjoy making pizza and posing in a range of dressing up outfits. Activities, such as making musical shakers, help children to become inventive and express their creativity. Children take a real interest in living things and enjoy visiting farms, planting pansies and making bird feeders. Babies use their senses, as they investigate objects made of different textures, in their treasure box and show curiosity by exploring shells and listening to the jingle of metal items. Children

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and outcomes for children

learn to understand the importance of recycling. They thoroughly enjoy reusing packaging from toys and share fun experiences together, as they make a den from a large cardboard box. Children have good access to electronic and programmable resources to support their learning, which helps them to develop skills for the future. They learn to respect similarities and differences in the world around them by tasting foods from other cultures and playing with resources reflecting diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in clean surroundings. The childminder fosters children's awareness of good hygiene practices through well established daily routines. Children become independent in their personal hygiene and they understand the importance of hand washing in removing germs. Healthy food options are on offer and children confidently request healthy snacks when they are feeling hungry. Children develop a good awareness about how to keep themselves free from harm. They competently and safely use scissors and enjoy a planned visit from the fire This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 brigade to learn about fire safety. Regular fire drills are undertaken and children learn to evacuate the childminder's home quickly. 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 2 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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