Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276145 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Vickie Halliwell

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and children aged 15 years, in Bolton. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The living room and study are the main areas used for childminding; arrangements are in place to provide outdoor play to the side of the property. The rear garden is excluded from the registration. The family has two dogs but they do not have any access to the children.

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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, of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. The childminder is supported by the local authority and is also a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is available to provide care each weekday, on a full time basis. The childminder is an accredited childminder and can provide funded nursery education for three- and four-year-olds.

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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 happy, safe and secure in the childminders care. They benefit from a nurturing environment and have formed strong attachments with the childminder, who effectively meets their individual needs and continuously promotes their wellbeing. Children are very well supported by the childminder, who provides a stimulating range of activities and experiences, which she tailors to help individual children make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are strong and help promote consistency in children's care and learning. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement and build on her existing good practice is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment, so that it includes details of the regular checks undertaken and by whom they are conducted. (Safeguarding and welfare) 04/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop records of children's development to clearly show their continued This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress towards the early learning goals given their starting points, also include details of the next steps in children's learning.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. Regular training is completed and the childminder routinely reviews all policies and procedures. including safeguarding, to ensure it is consistent with her Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. All adults within the home and the childminder's assistant have undergone checks to ensure their suitability, which further safeguards children. Clear systems are in place to ensure children's safety within the childminder's home and whilst on outings. Risk assessments are documented and appropriate action is taken to minimise hazards, however, details of the regular checks conducted by the childminder are not recorded. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement.

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the early years provision

Spaces are resources are well used; the childminder creates a stimulating and inviting learning environment in her living room. Play materials are well presented and easily accessible, which encourages children to make meaningful choices about how they spend their time. The childminder is a very experienced early year's practitioner, who since her last inspection has completed a wealth of relevant training, including a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification in children's care, learning and development. The childminder is very committed to the continued improvement of her service. Following training, she reflects on what she has learnt and reviews her current practices. She routinely reflects on the effectiveness of her provision and is using the Ofsted self-evaluation form as the basis for ongoing review. Consequently, she is successful in making and sustaining improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service; she values each child as a unique individual, working closely with parents at admission to find out about individual care needs, routines and cultural differences. Children are warmly welcomed into her home and are naturally learning to respect and value differences. They routinely play with toys that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. Books and creative activities are also well used to further develop children's awareness of diversity; as a result, children are developing positive and caring attitudes towards others. Parents are well informed about all aspects of the childminder's provision, open and informal relationships facilitate a continuous exchange of information, including details of children's achievements. The childminder is aware of the importance of working with other agencies to ensure individual children's needs are met.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a safe, secure and loving environment, relationships are a key strength within this provision and children have formed strong attachments with the childminder. They enjoy their time with her and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as they move confidently and purposefully around the play area. Children's personal, social and emotional development is particularly well fostered. The childminder continually promotes children's self-esteem, giving praise and encouragement as children persevere with self chosen tasks. For example, completing a large and complex puzzle; when the puzzle is complete children delight in their own achievement, cheering and smiling with satisfaction.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development as they are very well supported by the childminder. The childminder knows individual children's capabilities and has a sound knowledge of child development. Consequently, she naturally helps each child make progress and acquire new skills. For example, the childminder uses routine opportunities to encourage language development, using eye contact and facial expressions, as well as verbal interactions, to encourage young babies to communicate. Older children are continually introduced to new words to increase their vocabulary. The childminder is interested in how children learn to communicate and is currently completing a training course to increase her knowledge in this area. Children under two identify favourite songs and nursery rhymes from picture cards and join in enthusiastically, singing and doing actions with the childminder. They understand that print carries

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and outcomes for children

Children are stimulated by their surroundings and the available play materials. As a result, they are active and inquisitive learners and are developing key skills for the future. Children benefit from a broad and balanced range of activities which successfully promotes all six areas of learning. In practice, activities are tailored to meet children's individual learning needs and the childminder effectively supports the development of several children simultaneously. Children play with imagination, using small world figures and role play toys. They have many opportunities to express their creativity through art work, messy play, dance and music. Children's time within the childminder home is complemented by regular outings. These help children learn about the community in which they live and raise their awareness of the natural world, for example, visiting the baby animals at a local farm.

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and outcomes for children

Records of children learning are maintained, however, these do not always fully reflect the childminder what the childminder knows about each child. A system is in place to highlight children's achievements and track their progress towards the early learning goals. However, whilst this provides details of children's current capabilities, entries are not dated and starting points are not identified. Consequently, records do not provide an accurate record of the progress children are making. The childminder routinely observes what children can do and subsequently helps them make further progress, although this is not reflected in written records. Each child's learning journey provides examples of art work and a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 large collection of photographs to evidence their achievements. This provides a clear insight for parents about how their child is progressing and how they spend

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and outcomes for children

their time. 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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