Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357877 Inspection date 07/02/2011 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and their five year old child in the area of Woolwich in the London borough of Greenwich. Most of the childminder's two bedroom, ground floor level flat is used for childminding with exception of the kitchen and master bedroom. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, two of which can be in the early years age group and is currently caring for one child in this age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The provision is also registered on 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in a safe, secure and inclusive environment where they are all offered a balanced range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Although planning, observations and assessments are still developing, the childminder works consistently well in partnership with others and works very closely with parents to ensure all children's specific needs are met. All of the records and legally required documentation is being maintained to a good standard. The childminder has recently started to make use of self-evaluation in order to identify strengths and some areas for development in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide more experiences and activities so that children learn about diversity and inclusion and learn to value and respect their own and others' languages, religions and cultures  develop further the use of self-evaluation to encourage a culture of reflective practice and identify aspects of the childcare provision that require further improvement  develop the systems for planning, observations and assessments to consistently include the next steps in learning and opportunities to include parents and carers in this process

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in protecting children, and this is reflected in a clear safeguarding children policy. Written risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments are completed on all areas of the home and for outings. This ensures that any risks to the children are recognised and minimised well. Additional safety procedures, such as locking doors and using a safety gate to prevent children from gaining unsupervised access to the kitchen, make a positive contribution to the overall safety of the home. All required records for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and effectively maintained, including children's details and parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment. Children's play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. For instance, space is well organised and welcoming

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the early years provision

enabling children to access a good variety of well kept resources with most that are stored at the children's height. This promotes children's free choice and independence. The childminder works closely with parents to make sure she is well informed about children's individual backgrounds and needs, so that equality and diversity is suitably promoted. For instance, she works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs. This ensures that all children are fully included at the setting. Parents receive copies of all of the childminder's policies and important information such as her certificate of registration is clearly displayed. Consequently, parents are well informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up to date about their child's learning and care through daily verbal feedback, a useful daily contact book and access to their child's learning and development books. This promotes a

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the early years provision

shared understanding of children's individual needs. The childminder is also aware and is effective in working in partnership with other providers where children attend more than one setting or where they may need additional support to meet their individual needs. For example, the childminder knows about the themes and topics at the school and continues this learning in the home. This ensures a consistent and coherent approach to each child's learning is achieved. She reviews her provision and keeps up to date by attending training, discussing practice with other childminder's and working with her early years co-ordinator. Consequently, the childminder's skill and ability to looking after children is constantly developing. Action has been taken to ensure the recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been met. This has a favourable impact on raising children's awareness of safety and allows them to have access to a wider range of toys and

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the early years provision

activities, which promotes better outcomes for children. The childminder has started to self-evaluate her practice and she is able to discuss clearly her strengths but is not as effective in highlighting all areas of weaknesses. She is beginning to reflect on her practice although systems are yet to include the views of children and parents. Nonetheless, the childminder is interested in accessing more training to enhance the service she is providing to further improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Children are confident, happy and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They are eager to participate in the variety of activities provided. These include drawing, playing on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the floor with bricks and play figures and throwing soft balls into a basket. Their self-esteem and confidence is encouraged as they successfully throw the soft ball into the basket and the childminder praises them for their efforts and achievements. A good daily routine, including a balance of child-centred and adult- led experiences, ensures appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. Effective use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities. Examples of this are where children visit the local park, soft play

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and outcomes for children

centre and go on trips with the local drop in group to places such as Southend. A variety of creative activities, such as play dough, drawing and dressing up helps to promote children's sense of expression. Their communication skills are developing well as the childminder chats constantly to them, repeating words and encouraging them to name animals and colours as they play. This is combined with access to a range of interactive toys and some use of the computer to support children in developing skills for the future. The childminder has recently established systems to include planning for individual children. For instance, planned activities are used well, fully involving the children and extending their learning. For example, when the children helped the childminder to gather all the required ingredients to make play dough. All children are fully involved as they pour, mix and weigh the ingredients. This helps to develop their hand-to-eye coordination as well as

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and outcomes for children

number recognition as they look for the numbers on the scales. The childminder further extends learning as she encourages them to talk about the changes that occur when vanilla flavouring is added to the mixture and why they must always wash their hands afterwards. The childminder knows the children well and she monitors their progress through observations linked to the areas of learning, which are recorded in individual books. The next steps in children's learning are not consistently identified to clearly inform future plans. Parents discuss with the childminder what their children have enjoyed at home. However, systems for involving parents in the observation and assessment process are not fully developed. This has a slightly negative impact on the childminder monitoring the children's achievements.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good level of commitment to promoting children's health and safety. For instance, all necessary safety equipment fitted within the home ensures the safety of children. In addition, the childminder carefully assesses risks to children, for instance, when visiting local children's centres and parks. Clear accident and sickness procedures are in place; these have been agreed with parents and ensure that prompt and suitable action is taken in all eventualities. Children are cared for in a clean home where good hygiene and food preparation procedures ensure the health of the children. In partnership with parents the childminder ensures that children enjoy a healthy selection of foods. They are encouraged to eat fruit regularly and have water available throughout the day. Children are kept safe as when with the childminder good safety measures are in place which teach the children about road safety and what to do in the event of a

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and outcomes for children

fire, including a fire blanket and smoke alarms in place to further this aim. The childminder demonstrates that she has obtained information and has a sound knowledge about the children's backgrounds, dietary needs and languages. Tentative systems are in place to help promote children's understanding of their own and others' diversity and backgrounds. Consequently, children are well occupied and stimulated throughout the day and thoroughly enjoy their time at the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 setting. 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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