Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315716 Inspection date 18/10/2010 Inspector Vickie Halliwell

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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 1985. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in the Westhoughton area of Bolton, close to shops, parks and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and toilet facilities are located on both floors. There is a secure, fully enclosed garden for children's outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for two children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. This provision 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 receives support from the local authority.

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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's individual needs are effectively met by the childminder, who provides a warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere. Consequently, children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and benefit from secure attachments. The childminder provides an interesting range of activities and experiences both in and outdoors. Consequently, children enjoy their learning and are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works closely with parents and others and as a result, she is well informed about children's interests and capabilities, which helps ensure progression and continuity in children's learning. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is strong; very good systems are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop records of children's learning and development to clearly show their continued progress towards the early learning goals given their starting points  provide further opportunities for children to explore and question differences in ethnicity, religion, culture and disability issues.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded, because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. Regular training is completed and the childminder routinely reviews all policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures. This includes safeguarding to ensure it is consistent with government guidance and her Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Attention to children's safety within the childminder's home and whilst on outings is given a high priority. Rigorous, well-documented risk assessments are routinely completed and appropriate action is taken to minimise or eliminate risks. Consequently, children play safely within the childminder's home and garden. The childminder uses space and resources appropriately to meet the individual needs of the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very experienced childcare practitioner who is committed to her professional development. Since her last inspection she has completed a nationally recognised childcare qualification and a comprehensive range of short courses, to further improve her knowledge of good practice. Systems to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision are excellent. The childminder accurately completes a rigorous audit which covers all aspects of her service. As a result, children benefit from a continuously improving setting. The childminder is very receptive to feedback; she works effectively with her local early years team and has significantly improved areas identified for development at the last inspection. As a result, children have excellent opportunities to develop healthy eating habits and enjoy a challenging range of activities and experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service; she is a positive role model who helps children develop a positive and caring attitude towards others. Consequently, children are learning to value and respect differences. Play materials and books that reflect positive images of race and culture are routinely available and encourage children to think about how others live. However, planned opportunities for children to explore the differences in ethnicity and culture or learn more about disability issues are limited. The childminder works very closely with parents and fully understands the importance of working in partnership with other agencies. She fosters a close working relationship with other settings and consequently, children benefit from continuity in their care and learning. Parents are very well informed about the childminder's service. They receive a wealth of information from the childminder, including details of all policies and procedures which are

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the early years provision

sent, where possible by e-mail. Parents are encouraged to contribute to their child's learning journal and are continuously updated about their child's progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes all aspects of children's welfare and consequently, children are happy, safe and feel secure in her care. They are developing a good understanding of dangers, because the childminder routinely provides simple explanations and encourages children to think about consequences. For example, in relation to road safety. Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle and are developing healthy eating habits, because the childminder provides a varied range of healthy and nutritious meals, such as home-made lamb casserole. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities outdoors, including opportunities to grow their own flowers, fruits and vegetables. Children's pride when they search through the soil and uncover potatoes or carrots they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 grown is carefully captured on camera by the childminder. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

understands that children learn best through first hand experiences and encourages children to explore the roots before planting and helps children learn from experience how different fruits and vegetables grow.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and inquisitive learners, who are stimulated by the activities the childminder provides and confidently embrace new experiences. Children display high levels of concentration and persevere with self-chosen challenges. For example, children repeatedly practise walking on stilts until they have mastered the activity. They are clearly proud of their achievement and delight in the praise of the childminder. Parents are very well informed about such achievements; regular texts are sent with picture messages, capturing special moments throughout the week and involving parents in their child's learning. Children's personal social and emotional development is well fostered and consequently, children have formed secure attachments with the childminder and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They enter her home confidently and make meaningful choices about how they spend their time.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a stimulating and well-resourced outdoor learning environment. They enjoy excellent opportunities to practise and refine their number skills whilst being physically active. For example, children roll two very large dice, identify the numeral and the physical activity, and then complete four star jumps. Children also enjoy mark-making outdoors and explore a range of natural items, such as fir cones, conkers and leaves. Children play with imagination, filling seedling trays with compost, to make shepherd's pie. Children's language development is continually promoted by the childminder, who routinely asks questions that encourage children to think. For example, 'how are the freshly collected leaves different than the leaves collected last week?'. Children's vocabulary is naturally extended as they think of descriptive words.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported by the childminder who effectively meets the needs of different age groups simultaneously. Time management is excellent and even though some children's time with the childminder is very limited, she promotes all areas of learning and helps children make good progress. Children are clearly learning key skills for the future; they enjoy stories, communicate effectively and are developing early writing skills. Children are interested in number. They spontaneously practise their newly acquired knowledge of subtraction, asking the childminder how many items are left when they take one away. Children are learning about everyday technology and use information and communication technology with increasing skill, for example, using the computer mouse to play games on the childminder's laptop. The childminder completes regular observations and is very aware of individual capabilities. She provides a good

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and outcomes for children

range of experiences which are tailored to help individual children make progress. However, records of children's learning do not include details of children's starting points, as a result, records do not fully reflect the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. 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 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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