Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390923 Inspection date 14/10/2010 Inspector Rosemary Killackey

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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 assesses 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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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 husband, who is an assistant, and two children aged five years and eight years in the Openshaw area of Manchester. The back room and kitchen of the childminder's house are used for childminding and bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed area for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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

The childminder and her assistant provide a welcoming environment where children are settled and happy. The childminder meets each child's needs and recognises their individuality. The childminder provides an inclusive provision and children are helped to make steady progress in their learning and development. She has a positive and willing approach to developing her childminding service and reflects on her strengths and areas for improvement. Therefore children's welfare is promoted. She works in partnership with parents and shares relevant information which ensures continuity of care. Although, a few aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage are not yet fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the early years goals and use observation, planning and assessment to identify learning priorities matched to these  ensure the hosepipe in the back garden and sharp knives and scissors in the kitchen are made safe  consider ways in which toys and equipment can be made more readily accessible to children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has satisfactory knowledge of current safeguarding procedures. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has completed relevant safeguarding training. She is clear about her duty to protect children and knows what to do if she has any concerns. She has in place a written safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. In general a safe environment is created where risks have been minimised, such as, safety gates, fire guard and appropriate fire safety equipment; although an unravelled hosepipe in the back garden and some small sharp knives and scissors in the kitchen are easily accessible, which could compromise children's safety. Written risk assessments for the home and outings have been developed. The childminder teaches children how to stay safe through appropriate explanations and setting of boundaries during play and outings. Within the home they practise the fire evacuation procedure and the childminder explains

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the early years provision

to young children why it is not safe to climb on the furniture. On outings they learn how to cross the road safely and they wait for the 'green man' to appear. The childminder has an appropriate first aid certificate and children do not attend if they are ill.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive, child-centred play environment where children are developing creative imaginations and becoming independent learners. She offers a flexible routine which promotes children's welfare and meets their needs. Suitable age appropriate toys and resources are provided to meet children's individual needs; these are stored in plastic containers around the play room. Children are encouraged to choose what they want to play with, however, not all the toys are easily accessible. Daily discussion with parents and the use of a daily diary ensures information is shared about children's activities and achievements, so keeping parents informed about their child's welfare and progress. Meetings with parents prior to a placement commencing enables the childminder to establish a basic understanding of each child's starting points and to record information, such as, allergies, likes and dislikes. The childminder understands the importance of

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the early years provision

working closely in partnership with parents and other settings which children may attend to help her provide continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminders capacity to improve is sound; she has successfully addressed all the actions and recommendations from her previous inspection. She has developed a process for self-evaluation which identifies strengths in the service she offers, such as, being able to ask questions that extend children's learning. She is also able to identify areas which require improvement, for example, further developing her existing observation and assessments of children and using these to plan for children's future learning. The childminder is also committed to improving her professional development and expertise to ensure children continue to receive quality care and education, for example, by undertaking further professional training in childcare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistant form warm and trusting relationships with the children, they help each child to feel settled and included so developing a secure sense of belonging within the home. The childminder knows the children well and is able to meet their needs. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development as the childminder supports them as they play; and provides them with a range of activities both in the home and outdoors. The childminder plays with the children; she listens and talks to them asking questions that promote learning. For example, when playing with the hoops the childminder asked what colours they were and she praised the children when they repeated them. Children develop creative skills and make marks with a purpose; pieces of art work are given to parents and also placed in childrens files. Children enjoy singing and action rhymes as they join in with 'wind the bobbin up' and 'the wheels

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and outcomes for children

on the bus' and they make musical sounds as they play with wooden musical instruments. The children also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder provides opportunities to play in the back garden. They visit the local park and toddler groups. This helps to widen children's experiences and develops an awareness of their local community. The childminder has developed a basic knowledge of the early learning goals in the Early Years Foundation Stage which helps her to provide appropriate activities for the children. She has developed methods of recording children's achievements and assessments, however, she does not always use these observations to progress children's learning. Children are happily engaged and well occupied; resources, toys and equipment are all in good clean condition and of satisfactory quality.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted suitably as they learn about the importance of being healthy through daily routines, such as, hand washing before eating food. The childminder further avoids the risk of cross infection as she wipes children's runny noses. Children are well nourished and hydrated; the childminder provides nutritious snacks and meals, such as, curry and rice followed by yoghurt and fresh fruit. Fresh drinking water is accessible and children are able to help themselves. Children are gaining an understanding of active lifestyles; they have opportunities to play outside, they visit the park and attend a toddler group. This helps the children to gain an awareness of the wider world. The children develop skills and confidence to support their well-being in the future.

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and outcomes for children

A calm, relaxed environment encourages good behaviour. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to manage children's behaviour appropriately, taking into account their ages and stages of development. The childminder teaches children to play and participate safely, for example, when children attempt to put toys into their ear they are asked not to and told they will hurt themselves. The childminder provides an inclusive provision and ensures that all children feel valued and their individual needs are met. In addition, they learn to value others as they learn about people's similarities and differences as they play. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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