Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 322789 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Naylor

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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 1999. She lives with her four adult children in Shevington, Wigan. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder walks to toddler groups and is able to take and collect children from local schools. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder delivers an exemplary service. She values children highly as unique individuals and meets their needs in a fully inclusive, accessible and safe home. The partnerships between the childminder, parents and other settings that children attend are highly productive. This ensures children make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and the capacity to sustain existing high standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 extending own knowledge in a wider variety of ways and using to inform reflective practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder very effectively safeguards children through carefully managed, robust procedures. She has a rigorous child protection policy which she shares with parents. It includes the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against herself or a member of her household. She consistently implements a wide range of comprehensive policies that are effective for all who attend. The childminder maintains detailed risk assessment records of her home, garden and outings to ensure the children are kept safe at all times. There are well-maintained systems in place to record attendance, accidents and the administration of medicine. Documentation is exceptionally well organised, readily available for inspection and stored securely to protect confidentiality. The childminder has specific training in medication techniques. Her specialist knowledge and skills enable her to meet the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

needs of children with complex health problems.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a high commitment to continually improve outcomes for all children. She updates her skills and knowledge mainly by reading a wide range of publications and meeting with other professionals. She is dedicated to her childminding role and also makes time to share her wealth of experience with others in the wider community. She helps to run the toddler group and meets regularly with other childminders to discuss topical issues. She uses any knowledge gained to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are highly productive as there is an excellent shared knowledge and understanding. The childminder respects and actively celebrates the diversity of different family compositions and cultures. She is highly approachable to all adults and children. She values children highly as unique individuals and knows each child's family background and needs extremely well. She nurtures each child's individual identity, which helps children develop self esteem and take pride in themselves. Parents are very well informed about their own child's achievement, well-being and development. Parents write very enthusiastically about the childminder and her service. They particularly comment on her 'professionalism', 'genuine love for children' and her 'superb level of care'.

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the early years provision

Excellent channels of communication are developing between all partners working with individual children. The childminder ensures coherence and continuity of learning for children who attend other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, she obtains the learning plans from the other setting that children attend and provides complementary activities to consolidate and extend children's learning.

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the early years provision

Children's care is enhanced by exceptional organisation and planning for continuous improvement. Since the last inspection, the childminder has made minor amendments to the documentation to address the recommendations. All policies are well developed, monitored and evaluated. Children move freely around a clean and comfortable home and garden. Both areas are rich learning environments that promote children's independence and meet their care needs. Space, time and resourced experiences are exceptionally well planned to promote children's learning indoors and outdoors. The childminder delivers outstanding personalised learning. The assessment and monitoring of children's development and progression is highly systematic resulting in well targeted and focused planning of resources for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's nutritional needs are effectively met as parents provide their own child's food. The childminder organises mealtimes to take particular account of the individual needs of babies and children. She purposefully helps older children enjoy and appreciate healthy food options. For instance, she increases their awareness of the variety of fruits available and introduces new tastes and textures to them. This enables children to appreciate the different flavours of a wide variety of exotic This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fruits, such as chikoo, kumquats and physalis.

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and outcomes for children

Children effectively gain knowledge of being healthy and safe through enjoyable first-hand experiences. For example, children discover how plants grow as they watch the roots extend on spider plants. They understand about the care of other living things as they visit the garden centre to talk about flowers and feed the fish at the aquatic centre. They look closely at the goats and horses and feed the ducks at the farm. Children develop very well physically as they exercise in the fresh air, which is good for their health. They go for walks in the local area. They walk to the park purposefully at times when the road crossing warden is working so they can become skilled at crossing safely. They gain knowledge of first aid and the jobs of people who help us as they play imaginatively with a medical kit.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop exceptionally good skills for the future. They learn from the earliest age to value themselves and respect difference in others so they can grow up and make a positive contribution to society. There is a very strong focus on ensuring children develop the social, communication and language skills that are necessary for good behaviour and future learning. Interactions between the childminder and children are extremely positive. She promotes early mathematical skills, such as logical thinking, during routine times. For example, the childminder acknowledges the babbles of babies and encourages them to respond to the sound of her voice; for example, while removing a baby's dirty bib after dinner, she plays peek-a-boo. The baby shows some understanding that things exist, even when out of sight as he waits in anticipation for her to appear.

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and outcomes for children

Children are independent, inquisitive thinkers because of the excellent opportunities they have to explore and investigate. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world as they dig and plant in the garden and enjoy a wide range of local outings. Babies show interest in toys that incorporate technology, such as, those with sturdy buttons that activate sounds and music. Older children discover technology and develop their musical creativity as they enjoy using the keyboard.

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and outcomes for children

A strong commitment to equality and diversity is clearly evident. The childminder helps children to value diversity and is highly effective in ensuring they value and appreciate the society in which they live. Children learn about their own culture and those of others. For example, the celebrations of a wide range of countries and cultures are threaded through the planning. Children learn about the flags, foods and customs of a wide range of other countries. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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