Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282226 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Sue Birkenhead

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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 and children aged 15, 10 and three years. The family live in the Droylsden area of Manchester close to local facilities, schools and transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and the bathroom on the first floor of the property are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure area for outdoor play and the family have a parrot and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding eight children on a part-time or full-time basis. The childminder cares for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and holds a relevant childcare qualification.

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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, secure and develop a sense of belonging within the positively inclusive and welcoming environment. The childminder develops a good understanding of the welfare, learning and development requirements on the whole, which supports the good progress children make towards the early learning goals. However, there is a breach of the welfare requirements following alterations to the stairs, which pose a risk to children. Excellent partnerships develop with parents to ensure a consistent approach to the children's care and the childminder clearly recognises the importance of developing positive links with other settings children attend. She has a healthy attitude towards the development of her professional knowledge and, through effective self-evaluation, she continually reflects on the service she provides to promote better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure steps are taken to reduce hazards to children with particular reference to the safety of the stairs (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 14/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review the information obtained to extend the detail regarding children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting. 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 demonstrates a positive commitment to safeguarding children. She clearly understands the signs of abuse and procedures for reporting concerns, which are outlined in the written policy she shares with parents. The childminder is generally vigilant in her approach to children's safety, for example, children wear high visibility vests when walking. She uses the necessary safety equipment and comprehensive risk assessments to effectively organise her home and minimise risks to children. In addition, posters regarding emergency evacuation are on display and teach children how to stay safe. However, alterations to the stairs mean the banister has been removed. This may pose a risk to children, and is therefore a breach of the welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder's effective and organised approach to maintaining records ensures the children's needs are consistently met. Her commitment to the continuous development of her service and her professional development is very good. For example, the childminder attends many additional training courses and is currently studying towards the early years degree. She uses various systems to reflect on her practice, including completion of the self-evaluation form, which clearly outlines her strengths and some areas for future development. In addition she discusses practices with fellow childminders and obtains parents' views through the questionnaires she issues. Following the last inspection all recommendations have been addressed. As a result, improvements have been made to children's safety outdoors and the records kept and more hygienic practices during nappy changing have been introduced.

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the early years provision

Superb initiatives in place mean that parents play an active part in their child's continuous care, learning and development. For example, they receive a very impressive termly newsletter, which outlines changes and activities planned to support children's learning. Parents have regular access to their child's portfolio and are encouraged to actively contribute. The information pack parents receive initially contains copies of the detailed written policies which inform them of the childminder's effective practices. In addition the childminder and parents enter into a two-way communication system as young children are assigned a daily diary. Parents have contributed to the inspection through written references. These comments are complimentary about the care children receive and the progress they make. They describe the childminder as 'professional', 'the best in the area' and say they would be 'lost without her'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure within an inclusive environment where their individuality is clearly valued. The positive deployment of resources contributes to the enabling environment where children can make choices in their play and become active learners. The childminder plans effectively for the children's individual needs, taking into account the areas of learning and their next steps. As This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a result, children experience a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities. Through the childminder's effective interactions, children have fun and are challenged to extend their learning. Children's individual portfolios contain an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage for parents' benefit. The inclusion of purposeful observations, which are clearly linked to the areas of learning, are supported by photographic evidence and children's artwork. All entries are dated

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and outcomes for children

and children's achievements are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance. A summary of their progress is regularly completed and shared with parents and enables the childminder to successfully monitor the good progress children make towards the early learning goals. The initial questionnaire parents complete highlights children's likes and dislikes and reflects some developmental starting points on entry to the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in many worthwhile learning experiences, which contribute to the development of their future skills. The regular groups they attend throughout the week allow them to increase their social skills and relationships with others. Children develop their interest in books because the books are easily accessible for them to choose from and they also visit the library every week. They sit with the childminder in the 'comfy area', listening to a story she reads with interest and counting the pieces of food the Hungry Caterpillar eats, up to the number four. Children learn to recognise shapes such as circles, squares and triangles and recall familiar colours by name when threading the buttons. The treasure baskets encourage them to sort and match items and they successfully complete simple puzzles with delight. Children learn to express themselves through music as they copy the tune the childminder plays on the recorder. Creative skills are developing

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and outcomes for children

well through the use of a wide range of different materials. They explore the paint and make marks by painting their hands and printing them onto paper. They enjoy the texture of the wet sand and fill and empty receptacles to add to their mathematical development. The children have opportunities for children to learn about people's differences and the wider world, through the many resources which promote positive images of diversity and provide the children with information on international festivals. They visit a local Chinese restaurant in recognition of Chinese New Year to sample foods and they also take part in the local Christingle service as part of the Christmas celebrations. Children experience the local community and visit places of interest further a field. For example, they visit the museums, study different animals at the zoo and take a ride on the tram or train. The wide range of play materials outdoors effectively promote children's physical

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and outcomes for children

skills. These include logs for them to practice climbing and balancing, as well as sit-and-ride resources and the trampoline to assist their coordination.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a varied, healthy and balanced diet, which incorporates plenty of varied fresh fruits and homemade meals, and they access drinks throughout their day to ensure they remain refreshed and hydrated. The children learn to stay safe because they regularly practise fire evacuation and road safety during outings. They show open affection towards the childminder as they hug her spontaneously, indicating they feel safe. Children learn about acceptable behaviour through effective methods the childminder uses to manage their behaviour, which includes very regular praise in recognition of their achievements. As a result, they play cooperatively, develop their self-esteem and behave well. The daily routine helps children to develop a good understanding of personal health and hygiene. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, they are happy to visit the bathroom to wash their hands before their

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and outcomes for children

lunch, discuss why they do this and clearly recognise their own hand towel. 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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