Childminder, Out-of school day care in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318232 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Kath Harding

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters in Timperley, Cheshire. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory 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 make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children develop a good awareness of diversity. She has good relationships with parents and understands the benefits of partnership working in the wider context. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and works closely with others to improve outcomes for children. However, there is a minor weakness in systems that support the practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has attended higher level training in this area. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure everyone in the house is suitably checked. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden, separate activities and outings. A daily check list is also available for the childminder to look at to ensure she covers all areas prior to the children arriving.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this to promote good outcomes for children. Each child has a folder containing photographs and art work. These show how the children take part in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities linked to the six areas of learning but these are in the early stages. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where toys and books are accessible for children, helping to promote their independence.

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the early years provision

Links with other providers ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service. She obtains advice from other practitioners and development workers, to help develop her practice and has taken part in the area welfare audit to ensure all the welfare requirements are being met.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and offers them opportunities to make comments on the service provided. She provides parents with a daily diary, if they wish, so they know all about their child's day. The childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered are given to all parents and they are requested to sign to state that they agree with these. Parental comments on the service provided include 'I have never had any doubts or worries at all about the care that my child has been given whilst with the childminder and would highly recommend her. She has provided a caring safe and stimulating environment for the last ten years for my child'. 'The childminder has a flexible approach and supports difficult transitions for children'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled, happy and comfortable in the childminder's suitably organised home. The childminder places high priority on children learning about safety as they are given explanations for why it is not safe to climb on the stair gate and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. The children practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency. They take part in road safety awareness week and do related activities, such as, wearing a reflective hedgehog to encourage them to keep safe. Children get plenty of fresh air and daily exercise as they play at the park and walk to and from school. The childminder ensures that she follows children's sleep patterns to promote their well-being. Children access a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, such as, ball games, a parachute, skipping ropes, a croquet and golf set and footballs to help develop their physical skills. They develop a good understanding of the

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and outcomes for children

importance of healthy eating as they play 'Food Bingo' and learn about good foods to eat. The childminder has attended courses on healthy eating and food intolerances and is keen for children to try new tastes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are forming secure attachments with the childminder, which promotes their emotional development well. The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children, so enhancing their self confidence and self esteem. As children choose a book the childminder involves them in the story by pointing to the pictures and asking questions. They merrily sing to themselves when looking at books on their own. They are encouraged to put the magnetic animals on the board, match these up and name the different animals. The childminder talks about colours and number as they build a tower with the large This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 bricks. They plant sunflowers, watch them grow and tend to these so caring for living things. They push the cars and train through the tree house, helping to develop their hand-eye coordination skills. They play a recycling game and visit the

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and outcomes for children

science museum where they learn about different types of recycling, so encouraging them to be aware of their environment. As they lie down on the floor they pretend to be a cat.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well. The childminder interacts calmly with the children and role models respectful methods of communication as good manners are used and encouraged. They learn to value others as they have a range of toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They look at different events such as Australia Day and make boomerangs. They look at the festival of Chinese New Year, find out why it is the year of the rabbit and sample Chinese food. They regularly visit museums, the beach and art galleries, so becoming aware of the world around them. They learn about their local community as they attend a childminder's drop in, the toy library and parks. They take part in sponsored events, such as, 'Children in Need', so being encouraged to think about others. 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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