Greenhalgh Clair

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 316693 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Donna Lancaster

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and son aged 12 years in the Unsworth area of Bury, Greater Manchester. The home is close to shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for 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 at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday from 8am to 5:30pm for 48 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 welcomes all children into her home. She creates a warm, caring and inclusive environment in which children feel happy and secure. The childminder provides a suitable range of activities for children, which cover most areas of learning. As a result, children are making sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder implements appropriate procedures to gather information from parents in order to meet children's individual care needs. However, partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are not yet established. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and she is committed to making continuous improvement to her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the range of resources and activities to promote children's awareness of different cultures and diversity  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions and parents develop further the use of observation and assessment to plan for the next steps in each child's learning and clearly link activities to the areas of learning improve the existing risk assessments to include each and every outing.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities for safeguarding children and knows the steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to take should she be concerned about a child in her care. In addition all adults in the household are vetted and the identity of visitors is checked. Risk assessments ensure the environment and equipment are safe and suitable. However, although the childminder reviews the risk assessment for each outing, there is no written record of these assessments. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid certificate and has gained consent from parents to obtain emergency medical treatment. This ensures she could respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency. Appropriate procedures are in place in the event of a fire, and children regularly practise a fire evacuation, raising children's awareness of what to do in

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service which is welcoming to children and parents alike. There is a suitable range of resources which are easily accessible enabling older children to make independent choices. The childminder puts toys such as rattles, balls, books and dolls out ready for when younger children arrive. However, opportunities and resources to extend children's awareness of diversity and differences are limited. The childminder has begun to use systems to self- evaluate and monitor the provision. She demonstrates a sound vision of how she wants to improve the quality of her provision, including attending further training to develop her knowledge of recording observations, assessing children's learning and developing her planning. The childminder has positively addressed the recommendations raised at her last inspection, for example, the first aid box is replenished and checked regularly and accident books are recorded appropriately.

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the early years provision

These promoted better outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Positive relationships are beginning to develop with parents. There is a regular two-way flow of information between the childminder and parents daily. The childminder gathers and records relevant information required in order to meet children's individual needs, such as consents and children's personal information. A suitable selection of policies and procedures are available and shared with parents. However, the ongoing systems to effectively share information about children's learning and development with parents and other providers are not in place. This does not fully support continuity of learning and care for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She knows the children well and they are confident and secure with her. The childminder follows children's individual routines in line with their home routine which provides consistency of care. For example, their eating and sleeping habits. Children access the ground floor of the home which is well equipped with suitable age-appropriate toys and play equipment. The childminder plans her day in a flexible way to take into account nursery and school pick-up times, as well as attendance at some groups. Learning journeys have recently been introduced for some of the children. Observations made of the children are in the early stages and do not link to the areas of learning. As a result, plans for the next steps in children's learning have not been clearly identified. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities for children to use information and communication technology have been addressed through accessing resources that the childminder provides. For instance, toy laptops, talking telephone, musical and interactive activity toys, wind- up and battery operated cars. This helps to develop skills that will contribute to children's future economic well-being. Children are developing communication, literacy and language skills as they read stories and look at the pictures in the books with the childminder. They point and attempt to name the vehicles and imitate the noises of the trucks. They show happiness as they smile and gurgle when they make cups of tea for the childminder and she tells them how clever they are. Children begin to concentrate well as they fix the ramps to the garage. They show great delight when the cars come off the end of the ramps. Children begin to count in everyday practical situations and compare and recognise simple

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and outcomes for children

shapes. They begin to develop simple problem-solving skills when they complete jigsaws and build with the blocks. Children enjoy a selection of creative activities such as painting and play dough when they attend the toddler groups. Children are developing their physical skills as they frequently go to the local park and on regular walks in the community.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection; for example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Babies' hands and faces are regularly cleaned with baby wipes. She maintains good standards of hygiene throughout the home, which helps to prevent the spread of infection. Parents provide packed lunches for their children which are stored and warmed appropriately. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's daily food intake and she encourages them to provide healthy options for their meals. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. They talk about road safety and practise fire drills regularly. They are beginning to understand the house rules such as not to climb on furniture, to share toys and equipment and to take turns. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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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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