Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276312 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 2004. She lives with her husband, her daughter aged 16 and her son aged 14 years. The family live in the Reddish area of Stockport. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. With parental consent children are taken to local community groups, the library and the local park. The family have 2 pet cats and a pet rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 cared for in a welcoming, child-friendly environment by a very competent, experienced childminder. Their individual needs are well met so that they are very well supported and make good progress. She has good relationships with parents and shares information so that children's care and learning is very well promoted. Children's safety and welfare is mostly well attended to, although the childminder does not currently hold a valid first aid certificate. She continually works hard to provide a good service and is committed to continuous improvement. However, she does not yet fully reflect on her practice to identify what she does well and what she could improve to promote the outcomes for children further.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete an appropriate first aid course 02/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 become more familiar in using the Early Years Foundation Stage in practice to monitor children's development and plan for their next steps throughout all the areas of learning  consider using the self-evaluation form to establish ways to improve the quality of the learning, development and care of the chidren. 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 is well aware of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding children, she knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. She has relevant safeguarding information and contact numbers easily at hand, should she need advice regarding safeguarding issues, so that children are well protected. She ensures that all adults in the household are suitable to be around children. She recently had her 16 year old child cleared through Ofsted. Comprehensive written risk assessments are in place. These identify potential hazards on outings, in the home and garden, to further safeguard children's welfare. Although the childminder's first aid certificate has lapsed, which is a breach in welfare requirements, she is competent to care for injured or sick children as she used to practice as a nurse. She is booked onto renew her first aid training in the near future.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to continuous improvement. She has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection, which enhances the health of children. She is well aware of some areas that she would like to improve to develop her practice further to benefit the children. She attends training when she can to update her knowledge and although she does not use any form of self- evaluation to reflect on her practice or to identify what she does well, she does ensure that children are happy, safe and achieving through her everyday routines and play.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a very good range of resources which are easily accessible encouraging independent choices. For example, they self-select toys from available boxes and eagerly stand at the low level table to handle and explore the role play equipment. There is plenty of floor space so children move freely and safely within the environment. Children regularly collect natural items from the local environment to use in their play, such as large twigs to decorate for Halloween and Christmas. They also know to put their banana skins in the recycling bin, which teaches them to care for the planets resources. All children are treated with respect and as individuals. The childminder knows that if she gets to know the children well then she can meet their needs effectively and would never discriminate against any child or parent, thus providing a fully inclusive provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers useful information from the parents regarding their child's individual routine, diet, their likes and development stage. She goes through her policy and information files with them so that they have a clear understanding about the care offered. She exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and provides a written daily sheet of information for the younger children to take home if they wish. Positive reference letters demonstrate how parents are very pleased with the provision for example, 'thank you for the fabulous care you have shown my child, I have been amazed by his progress.' At present, none of the children attend other early year's settings. However, the childminder is aware of promoting good partnership working between early year's provisions to ensure continuity and coherence. 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 clearly knows the children in her care very well, she is well aware of what their favourite activities are and what they are good at. Therefore, she builds on this through play, so that children enjoy and achieve very well as she provides play equipment that they are interested in. She is also aware of what equipment to provide next to promote certain areas of development, such as smaller more intricate blocks when children are interested and good at construction and building activities. Although she has a good understanding of how to help children learn and can describe the progress children make, she does not use the Early Years Foundation Stage fully to target particular areas and development and to plan for their next steps throughout all of the six areas of learning. Although she has recorded observations on children previously and linked this effectively to the Early Years Foundation Stage, she has let this lapse for the

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and outcomes for children

current early year's age children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow a good routine. They go on regular nature trails, feed ducks and attend toddler groups if beneficial to the children. Children are highly settled and animated during play. They are clearly very happy with her and have warm, natural affectionate relationships. She responds to children and meets their needs effectively. They play with the childminder happily and she is fully involved in their play; for example, she supports and reminds them how to turn on electronic toys and they make her cups of tea from the role play equipment. They are engrossed in their favourite activities, such as building blocks, successfully fitting them together as they persevere and concentrate hard on what they are doing. They are clearly very proud of their achievements as they laugh, clap and wave their tower around. The childminder talks about colours, sounds, shapes and numbers during their play and asks them questions that make them think and use gestures to

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and outcomes for children

respond, which supports their language, skills for the future and problem solving skills very well.

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and outcomes for children

Children's emotional needs are very well met, for example, when they are put down to nap they are given warm, natural cuddles and kisses which helps them to feel secure and belong. Firm 'no's' and distraction techniques ensure that toddlers begin to learn right from wrong and they receive plenty of meaningful praise. Children walk everywhere with the childminder or are taken out in buggies so that they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. There is a good range of outdoor equipment for the children to use and obstacle courses are set up indoors and out, so that their physical skills are enhanced well. Snacks and meals are healthy and nutritious for the children and the childminders menu is displayed for parents to show the kind of meals their children receive. The home is secure and the childminder ensures that she teaches children to stay safe, such as by gentle reminders and actions. Children are supported in their learning and development

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and outcomes for children

very well by an attentive, caring childminder who offers close interaction. Therefore they feel safe and secure in her care. 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 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 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 achieve an appropriate first aid qualification. 02/02/2011 To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 achieve an appropriate first aid qualification. 02/02/2011

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