Jackett, Helen Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY275976 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 11 in a semi-detached house in Timperley on the outskirts of Manchester. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play to the rear of the premises.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a childcare qualification at level 3. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children on roll, five of whom are within the early years age group. Their attendance is a mix of full and part-time places.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very bright, welcoming and inclusive environment. They enjoy participating in an excellent range of activities linked to their interests and learning styles, with great emphasis being placed on fostering their learning outdoors. The highest priority is given to fostering excellent relationships with all parents and with any others involved in the children's care and learning. This ensures their individual needs are met with great success. The commitment to monitoring and evaluating the service and to ensuring parents' and children's views are included is exceptional. This results in a service that continually improves, is responsive to the needs of all its users, and that the outcomes for children are excellent.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 improving the recording of children's attendance.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding children. For example, she attends training to ensure she is confident in her ability to recognise the possible indicators of abuse. The childminder maintains a record of any visitors to the home and before any placement begins she has in-depth discussion with parents regarding her responsibilities in terms of child protection issues and what This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she would do if she had a concern about their children. The childminder ensures her home is maintained to the highest levels of safety, which enables the children to move around freely, and the provision of furniture at their height ensures they can reach activities safely and comfortably. The childminder has an extensive range of policies and procedures which are fully implemented, and documentation is organised extremely well. Daily records are meticulously kept up-to-date;

p.4

the early years provision

however, the record of children's attendance does not include their full name.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides children with an environment that is very conducive to learning. An abundance of posters, photographs and artwork are displayed and the extremely well-resourced garden is used in a highly effective manner to foster the children's learning outdoors. The children have free access to an excellent range of resources, promoting choice and independence at all times, and they are fully involved in the choosing and purchasing of any new items. The childminder is extremely dedicated and totally committed to providing the best possible care she can for the children and she is very keen to help others to do the same. For example, through her role as chair person of the local childminder group she is very willing to share elements of good practice with other members, such as the format for her policies, procedures and risk assessments. The childminder's commitment to self-evaluation and to continuous improvement is exceptional. She

p.5

the early years provision

demonstrates a tenacious approach to improving her knowledge and practice through training. For example, since her last inspection she has achieved two childcare qualifications at level 3. She has also extended the premises to provide a dedicated playroom with free flow access to outdoors. She has also landscaped the garden and installed a canopy to provide all weather play. She has clearly defined plans for future improvement, for example, she is currently working towards a local authority inclusion award.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder ensures equality and diversity runs through all areas of her service. She values the uniqueness of each child highly, enabling them to follow their interests and skilfully adapting activities to meet their individual learning needs and styles. The children are actively encouraged to value the diverse society in which they live. For example, they celebrate festivals from around the world in an exciting manner, such as visiting the 'China town' area of the nearby town, where they become fully immersed in the celebrations for the Chinese New Year. The childminder establishes and maintains excellent open and honest relationships with all parents. They receive a wealth of extremely well-presented information, including a welcome pack, policy and procedure file and highly informative daily journal. Parents receive a copy of their children's monthly planning and review sheet and meet regularly with the childminder to discuss the children's progress,

p.5

the early years provision

with home visits being offered if they would prefer. This ensures parents have a very high level of involvement in their children's learning. The childminder has very good links with other providers in the area, such as the Children's Centre and pre- school. This ensures that the reciprocal exchange of information is highly effective in promoting a shared approach to children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop, providing a range of exciting activities that enable children to achieve well and develop excellent skills for the future. The childminder engages with the children in a highly skilful manner. For example, she makes very good use of open-ended questions to make the children think, giving them plenty of time to formulate their answers, and she ensures their play is not interrupted by everyday routines. As a result, they often go on the school run wearing the dressing-up clothes. The childminder meticulously keeps a learning journey for each child which clearly evidences the excellent progress they are making and provides both the children and parents with a treasured memory to look back on in years to come. The children are offered an excellent range of valuable learning opportunities in the local environment, such as visiting the library

p.6

and outcomes for children

for story and rhyme time, soft play provisions and outings further afield, such as a zoo and children's farm.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder actively encourages the children to make a positive contribution and to adopt a caring approach to others. For example, the children have carefully painted stones to decorate their area for planting and growing in the garden and they set the table for lunch and clean this afterwards. The children regularly raise funds for charity and as part of the activities at the local childminder group they delight in visiting the elderly residents at a nearby care home, taking them harvest gifts and singing songs for them. The children behave very well and show great concern for one another. For example, the older ones readily help the youngest put on their bib ready to eat and hold their hand as they walk to the door to go outside. They show immense concern if someone has a bump. For example, as the childminder comforts the injured child another immediately goes and fetches the 'Doctor's' set, putting on the stethoscope and pretending to administer first aid in

p.6

and outcomes for children

their quest to make the other child feel better. The children enjoy an excellent range of craft activities which very positively promote their creative development. For example, they have used recyclable materials, such as fabric and plastic bags in a very innovative manner to weave a very colourful and eye catching collage, which takes pride of place in the play room.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder gives the highest priority to helping children to adopt safe and responsible practices. As a result, they readily help to sweep up the sand outdoors to prevent slips and falls, use toys such as trikes in the garden with clear regard for others and they sit at the table to eat, stating they make choke if they run around with food in their mouth. The children's good health is promoted meticulously by the childminder. She provides highly nutritious home-cooked meals and ensures the children play an active part in the preparation of these. For example, they help to make their own sandwiches and items such as quiche and grow their own produce in the garden, all of which, ensures they develop a very positive approach to healthy eating and meal times. The children absolutely relish taking part in activities outdoors. They enjoy the freedom this offers in their play and benefit greatly from fresh air at the same time. They become captivated as

p.6

and outcomes for children

they make marks and patterns in the sand with brushes and rakes and become This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fully immersed as they pretend to take the dolls for walks in the pushchairs. These activities are complemented very effectively by visits to the local parks to use large play equipment, offering the children opportunities to develop and test their physical skills further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9