Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341919 Inspection date 20/12/2010 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 2006. She lives with her husband, who works as her assistant and three children aged 10, six and five years in the Partington area of Trafford, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside 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 at any one time when working with an assistant and a maximum of four children when working alone. There are currently 12 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions; of these, nine are in the early year's age range. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register, and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to allow the childminder to care for older children.

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Description of the childminding

She is supported by Trafford Sure Start. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an accredited childminder.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant promotes children's welfare and learning in an inspiring and challenging way that provides a safe and inclusive environment. Exemplary systems are in place in relation to planning, assessment and safety. The children are happily engaged and occupied in a highly stimulating range of play activities and experiences. They make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a highly successful partnership with parents; they are consulted and involved and kept well informed of their children's daily routines, care and learning. Also, very positive links with others promote excellent quality and continuity of education and care. The setting demonstrates an extensive capacity for continuous improvement and self-evaluation is rigorous.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to use self-evaluation effectively to monitor the setting and reflect as children progress throughout their learning. 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 a highly effective understanding of safeguarding children and keeps up to date with training. She has an excellent knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child's welfare. A record of visitors to the setting is maintained and all other aspects of documentation relating to the welfare of the children are in place, of a very high standard and stored to respect confidentiality. Children know where to find resources to extend their play ideas and follow their own interests. Defined areas, such as writing, investigation and construction, in the large play areas enable children to consolidate their learning exceptionally well. Workshops and a wealth of training reflect extremely well in her practice and planning of activities which promotes excellent outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works extremely well to promote an excellent and inclusive service to children, parents and carers. She is very committed and enthusiastic and alongside her assistant she continually strives to improve the excellent service they offer. Exceptional documentation, policies and procedures are in place and copies are available to parents and discussed to ensure they are kept fully informed of her childcare.

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the early years provision

She maintains children's individual daily diaries, a very informative notice board and detailed questionnaires. Parents have a wealth of opportunities to comment on their children's assessments. Furthermore, they are very well informed of the early years foundation principles in the welcome packs with exceptional involvement in their children's learning and development. The childminder has systems in place to work with other agencies to ensure they are able to complement the Early Years Foundation Stage provided by them. For example, she works extremely well with Sure Start, the local quality assurance scheme attaining a very high grade, the Children Centre and the local nursery schools. They both adhere to a comprehensive operational plan meeting the the individual needs of all children exceptionally well.

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the early years provision

Highly effective self-assessment procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the provision which takes into consideration the views of parents, children and outside agencies. However, she could develop this further by reflecting on the impact of children's progress. Future plans for the service are extremely well targeted to further promote positive outcomes for children. For example, with the aid of a quality assurance grant she hopes to purchase an outdoor shelter to enhance opportunities in the garden. 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 has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Framework, which enables her to meet the requirements extremely well and promote outcomes for children. The childminder uses the information she receives from parents through the individual passports which are completed with excellent detail. She observes children at play and uses this to meticulously plan for individual progress and identify suitable next steps in learning. Rigorous planning provides a superb range of interesting and stimulating activities to help the children make progress across all areas of learning and development. Detailed assessments and individual learning journals indicate that children are making extremely good progress across all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is highly stimulating. She has developed an excellent range of accessible resources to help children to explore and investigate and fully promote diversity. Children learn key words in other languages helping them to communicate with each other. Baking activities allow the children to sample foods from different origins and talk about different countries. They enjoy celebrating the Jewish faith; Chinese new year and a wealth of other celebrations. Recent training enhances her practice to include boys in more constructive activities. There is a very strong emphasis on independence and children are encouraged to access their own drinks, help out at snack times and learn to dress themselves. News times and extra individual support give them confidence to speak out and gain an extreme sense of belonging in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

A wealth of photographic documentation around shows the children have a great amount of opportunities to express their own thoughts and ideas using a variety of creative materials. They are engrossed in dressing up and participate in role play. Lots of photographic evidence demonstrates children pouring and sinking objects in water and sand, melting ice and feeling different textures such as shaving foam, glitter and paint. The use of magnifying glasses enables children to look at bees and flowers in detail. They have a wealth of first hand experiences as they take a nature walk to the woods, visit the park and when out in the community to post a letter.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to see examples of everyday print and to learn that print has meaning throughout the setting. All toys are labelled and enable children to freely choose what they want to play with. They use language very well and are encouraged to make marks, recognise letters and use sounds. Children learn to count very well, calculate and problem solve throughout their daily routine. A wealth of games and puzzles helps them to recognise colours.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical skills and coordination are developed extremely well as the childminder encourages and promotes outdoor play and exercise. They thoroughly enjoy swimming at the local pool and pulling a sledge in the snow. The outdoor play area is extremely well designed and supports many areas of children's learning. They play outside in all weathers and are provided with an all weather shower-proof suit to protect them from the elements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Excellent behaviour is displayed and the frequent use of praise helps children feel good about themselves. The childminder is an excellent role model to the children and speaks quietly to them. Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is extremely clean, warm and well maintained. For example, stringent nappy changing procedures are in place and children are fully aware of hand washing

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and outcomes for children

after activities.They brush their teeth with the childminder and assistant to enable them to enhance their hygiene awareness. Children are very well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating as a very well-balanced and nutritious diet is in place to aid their growth and development. Drinks are available at all times of the day. They are involved in activities to remind them about fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, they grow their own produce and herbs in the rear garden.

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and outcomes for children

The premises are extremely safe and secure and both indoors and outside are subject to rigorous risk assessments to ensure that risks to children are minimised. Trips are well thought-out to enable children to have fun in a safe environment. Children are involved in the regular fire drill and participate in a large variety of topics, such as 'stranger danger'. When the children are out walking they wear high visibility jackets so that they are easily recognisable to the childminder and her assistant. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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