Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315644 Inspection date 16/11/2010 Inspector Frank William Kelly

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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 has been registered since 1986 and she lives with her husband in the Breightmet area of Bolton in Lancashire. The home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and a bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed yard for outdoor play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of these three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in this age group. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, so that she may care for children aged over five years to 11 years; she currently has two children on roll in this age range. The childminder receives support from the local authority and takes the children out regularly to visit several places of interest.

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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's welcoming manner fosters an inclusive environment. Partnerships with parents and significant others are sufficiently well organised to ensure that information about the children's essential needs are known and met. This along with the recently introduced assessment and activity planning is helping to successfully foster all aspects of the children's development. Regular training undertaken by the childminder is helping her to keep up-to-date with some of the changes in legislation and demonstrates her commitment to improvement of her provision. However, ineffective self-evaluation has resulted in some omissions within the regulatory documentation; which means some aspects of her policies, procedures and records are not up to date.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement an effective policy on administering medicines. In this instance ensure that written permission is obtained from parents for each and every medicine before administration (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/11/2010

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom they have been checked, and maintain a record of these particular aspects (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/11/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the self-evaluation process so as to identify and monitor targets for continuous improvement  develop further the range of activities that help children to know about their own cultures and beliefs, and those of other people.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures for safeguarding children. She is able to confidently discuss the signs and indicators of potential child abuse and convey the steps she takes should she have any concerns about a child in her care. Children play safely in the designated areas of the childminder's home. Their access to a very good selection of well-maintained and organised resources provides all children with plenty of choice whilst promoting younger children's safety. For example, resources with smaller pieces are stored out of reach. The home is well organised to ensure that children have sufficient play space and comfortable furniture to sit, eat and play. Throughout the day, the childminder uses her time well to ensure the children are afforded good individual attention.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps children safe through supervision and daily checks of her home. Safety features, such as smoke detectors have been fitted and are checked regularly. However, there is no record of the risk assessment. This is a breach of the regulatory requirement of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently the childminder has no secure system for monitoring arrangements, such as updating risk assessments as children grow and develop or when new children start.

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the early years provision

A range of documentation is maintained and some promotes information sharing with parents. Most records meet regulatory requirements, however, there are some inaccuracies and a breach of the regulatory requirement. The childminder has sought a generic consent for administering medication, when the statutory framework requires that written consent is required for each and every medication administered.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her home is an inclusive environment in which all children and their families are made to feel welcome. There are a range of books, dolls and play figures that reflect diversity within society. These resources demonstrate the childminder's commitment to improvement as this was a recommendation from her last inspection. However, she has not considered how she might extend this further, to enable children to talk about and gain a wider understanding of their own and other peoples' cultures and beliefs.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents and carers are developed and the childminder has received positive feedback from parents regarding her care of their children. The childminder is aware of the need to develop partnerships with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers to ensure that all services contribute to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's progress. The childminder is working with the early years development team and is keen to attend additional training that helps to keep her updated of current legislation and childcare practices. Her self-evaluation is still in the early stages of development and is not used fully to effectively identify and address areas for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

There is a happy feel within the home and children are at ease. They giggle and happily engage as they interact with adults and their peers. The warmth and friendliness of the childminder is infectious and means that children develop a strong sense of community, helping them to feel safe and secure. Their behaviour is good as the childminder presents the children with a positive role model to follow. Older children demonstrate care for their younger peers, for example, they ask the childminder 'shall I talk to her?' while the childminder disposes of a nappy.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder prepares, and the children enjoy, home-made meals that promote healthy options. These include vegetable rich sausage casseroles, shepherd's pie and cereals. There is a fruit bowl on the table at all times and children receive plenty of drinks to quench their thirst. The Every Child Matters outcomes for children are promoted. Many of the daily routines and well-planned adult-led activities help to consolidate the children's health and safety. For example, they are encouraged to be careful using the slide, use tissues to wipe their noses and wash their hands and faces before and after they eat.

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and outcomes for children

The organisation of the home and adult-planned activities ensures that the children enjoy and experience activities that span the six areas of learning. Regular observations of children's learning and development identify and plan for their next steps in learning. Thus children's learning is being successfully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

During their play, the children benefit from the support provided by the childminder. For example, she encourages the children to show their new shoes and name the different colours. The childminder sits close to the children and regularly introduces new resources. Babies' interests are captured in the toys as they explore with purpose the movements of beads in an activity ball and on the threading frame. The childminder plans her week to provide children with plenty of individual attention and activities that are linked to their current interests. For example, children who like vehicles enjoy a trip out using the bus during which they look for print and numerals in the environment. Regular visits to local playgroups allow children to socialise with other children, and use mark-making materials. Daily, they enjoy lots of cuddles, songs and stories. Their range of communication skills is extended by the childminder's animated manner. Most of

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and outcomes for children

all, there is a great sense of fun, to which children respond positively. These experiences allow children to feel confident and help them to develop positive attitudes towards learning and build future skills for life. 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 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 2 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 prepare a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/11/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 revise the written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 30/11/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 30/11/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 30/11/2010

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