Childminder in TraffordOfsted inspection, 22 Dec 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY402638 Inspection date 22/12/2010 Inspector Barbara Wearing

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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 partner and three children aged eight, seven and two years in the Timperley district of Trafford close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children on various days, of whom three are in the early years age group. Care to children aged over five years to 11 years is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and takes children on various outings and to toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 busy, happy and relaxed in the warm, welcoming and homely environment provided by the childminder. They enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities in and out of the home, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder works closely with parents and knows children well. She values their uniqueness and meets their individual needs. Since registration the childminder has worked hard and shows a strong commitment to developing her childminding provision. She has ensured that the vast majority of records are in place to promote children's safety and well-being and has made good progress in recording children's development.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance observation, assessment and planning systems by incorporating observations parents have made of their children's achievements and by devising next steps, planning how to support children in reaching these and reviewing children's progress towards them  extend the recording of accidents to include a record of existing injuries  establish clear systems for self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. The childminder is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns regarding a child's welfare. She has comprehensive policies and procedures and maintains the majority of records that promote children's safety and well-being. Records are made of accidents that occur while children are in the care of the childminder, but not of existing injuries. This may compromise the childminder's ability to evidence where or how injuries were sustained or to identify concerns regarding a child's development or safety. Thorough and regular risk assessments are carried out for all areas of the home and for outings. Appropriate action is taken to reduce hazards, while allowing children freedom to explore.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home and time well, meeting the needs of all the children she is caring for. Her home is bright and inviting and children develop a strong sense of belonging as their pictures are on display and as they are encouraged to be involved in daily routines. They confidently make many choices from the good range of toys and resources consistently accessible to them. Good use is made of the whole of the downstairs, allowing children space to extend their play and to use larger equipment such as pushchairs and sit-on toys. Regular trips offer children a wider range of experiences and opportunities to socialise and to learn about the natural environment and their local community.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not yet developed clear systems for self-evaluation. Nevertheless, she has worked closely with a local authority development worker and has implemented many developments identified at these visits. She has given parents questionnaires to assess their views of various aspects of her provision. Their response was very positive. They particularly appreciate the happy, friendly environment and good resources. Various effective systems are in place for the two-way sharing of information with parents. This maintains consistency for children, enables parents to make informed choices about the care of their children and to have an insight into how their child has spent their day.

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the early years provision

There are currently no children on roll who also attend another early years setting or who receive support from other professionals. However, the childminder is fully aware of the importance of establishing effective partnerships in such circumstances.

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and outcomes for children

Regular, meaningful observations and assessments clearly show children's skills and abilities and are shared with parents. However, they do not include observations made by parents and are not routinely used to devise next steps for children's development or to show how the childminder will support them in meeting their next steps. The childminder supports children well in their play and at times asks questions to present further challenges to promote their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop high levels of independence and demonstrate a strong sense of security and belonging within the childminder's home. They confidently move between rooms as they play. They wave and say they are going to the 'shops' as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they take the shopping trolley to the next room with their handbags on their shoulder. They enjoy engaging in role play, demonstrating their good imaginations and developing their language. The childminder extends their vocabulary and skills as they name fruit and vegetables in the toy kitchen and sing songs and rhymes together.

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and outcomes for children

Close, caring relationships are fostered between children and babies and the childminder. The childminder is responsive to children's and babies' verbal and non-verbal communications. Babies enjoy spending time lying on a play mat, thoroughly exploring a rattle using their hands and mouth. The childminder soothes and distracts or picks up and reassures them as they become restless. Children treat each other with care, saying 'excuse me' as they move past each other and gently playing with younger children and babies. The childminder praises children's positive behaviour and calmly reminds them of the boundaries when appropriate.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to develop their large muscle and fine motor skills during indoor and outdoor activities. They enjoy drawing pictures with the freely accessible colouring materials and photos show them exploring paint. They go on regular walks to a local park where they feed the animals in the pets' corner, climb on the play equipment and explore in the woods. This encourages their knowledge and understanding of the natural world and promotes healthy lifestyles. Children access a good range of resources that reflect diversity, allowing them to learn about and develop positive attitudes to similarities and differences within society. The childminder is committed to ensuring that all children are fully included and will sensitively challenge comments that reinforce stereotypes and may prevent children from exploring all that is on offer to them.

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and outcomes for children

Nutritious, home-cooked meals and healthy snacks are provided for children. They enjoy mealtimes and develop independence in feeding themselves and good personal hygiene routines. The childminder works well with parents to ensure that babies' feeding routines are maintained. 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 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 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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