Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290760 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 13 and two years old in the Ramsbottom area of Bury. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and she is currently caring for one child in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both of the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local toddler groups and other local amenities with the children.

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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

The childminder provides a welcoming and stimulating family environment where children's welfare is well promoted. She has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop and therefore children are making good progress. She recognises and values the individuality of each child and works closely with parents to support and include all children. She shows a sound commitment to continuous improvement through training and had clear systems in place to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision. Most documentation to support the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place, very well organised and generally up to date. Partnership with parents is strong and the childminder uses other well- established links to support outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain from parents information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 20/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review further the systems in place to ensure a full risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a very clear understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children from potential harm or neglect and of how to take any concerns forward appropriately. She has attended some training in this area to develop her awareness and shares her policy with parents. She maintains a safe and healthy household and uses her systems for risk assessment very effectively to identify and address any dangers. However, not all outings are fully risk assessed which impacts on children's safety as not all hazards may be identified. She has attended some training courses since the last inspection to maintain her own development and regularly meets with colleagues and support workers to discuss any issues in relation to childminding which keeps her informed of current changes. She effectively uses systems to assess her practice and involves parents in this process through daily discussion and the use of

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the early years provision

questionnaires. Most documentation for the safe and efficient management of the provision is in place and generally up to date and the childminder has very organised systems which are regularly reviewed. The childminder is fully aware that all adults around children must be suitably checked or well supervised and carries out all supporting procedures such as safe collection and fire drills to further promote children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she has any relevant details to support children's individual needs and routines. A very comprehensive 'all about me' booklet is used to record these at the start which also aids an easier settling-in period. However, information is not routinely shared about who has legal contact with and parental responsibility for each child which means their welfare is potentially compromised. Although she has no experience of caring for children with specific needs the childminder is fully aware of the need to work closely with parents and liaise with other professionals as necessary. Children benefit from a well-planned environment where a wide selection of resources is set out to support children's independent choices.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents works very well and information is shared daily through both verbal communication and a variety of written methods. The childminder has a parent information pack including a full range of policies which is given to parents. She keeps an individual daily diary which is very informative about all aspects of the child's day and parents are invited to include their comments. An excellent learning journey is kept for each child with a range of photos and detailed observations which ensures that parents are fully informed and can help support their children's learning. Links with local childminders and support workers are maintained thought regular meetings at the Children's Centre. Children also routinely attend different toddler groups and other local facilities like the library. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content in this setting where they make warm and positive relationships with the childminder and her family. They are cared for in a safe and well-maintained home with easy access to good quality resources. Children are encouraged to play safely through gentle reminders and are developing an awareness of personal safety as they learn about road safety and practise regular fire evacuation drills. Their health is well promoted through a well-balanced and nutritious menu with lots of healthy snacks and access to drinks at all times. Children's individual routines like sleep and rest are fully respected so they are able to benefit from an active programme in the community and busy play in the home. Children are encouraged in daily routines to promote their health such as hand washing and teeth brushing and enjoy walks in the fresh air and physical play in the garden or park. Children play well together as they are encouraged to share

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and outcomes for children

and take turns and are learning social skills like good manners and sitting at the table. They attend other groups and visit facilities like the library which give them greater social and play experiences. Children benefit from lots of positive interaction with the childminder who knows them well and gives them lots of praise so they develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very aware of the importance of child-centred play and therefore provides children with a good balance of independent choices and more adult-led activities. She uses her own observations very effectively to plan weekly for each child based on their individual preferences. For example, a child's great interest in trains is linked with books, puzzles and playing with the train tracks and the childminder skilfully uses these to introduce, for example, numbers and colours. The room is laid out with a wide variety of toys for children to choose from such as different construction toys and puzzles to promote their problem solving and knowledge of shapes. Children are learning about the wider world and diversity through discussion and a range of resources and activities planned around other celebrations such as Chinese New Year. Children show a real love of books which they enthusiastically listen to with the childminder or select their own.

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and outcomes for children

They are confident talkers as the childminder encourages their developing language skills through prompts and questions throughout the daily routine. Children have a range of creative play sessions such as painting and playdo or making music with different instruments where they can explore textures and express themselves.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is fully aware of the benefits of observing children's progress to ensure she supports and engages them appropriately and therefore systems for recording and monitoring are very effectively carried out. Both spontaneous moments and more detailed observations are taken and the childminder uses these to plan weekly for each child, noting the links to the areas of learning and identifying the next steps she will be focusing on. Therefore children's overall development is very well supported in an environment where they have fun and where opportunities for maximizing their learning are very well used. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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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