Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 312057 Inspection date 02/03/2011 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 has been registered since 1987. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Droylsden in Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the side and rear of the property. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years childcare and education qualification to level 3. She is leader of one childminding network and an active member of another childminding network. She also runs a local toddler group.

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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 enthusiastic and highly experienced childminder establishes excellent relationships with children, their families and other providers. This is done in an extremely imaginatively resourced homely environment. As a result, children make exceptional progress according to their starting points and their welfare is promoted very successfully. The childminder has high aspirations about how children can achieve and has similar expectations about her practice. This is due to her continued efforts, and a strong commitment to continual professional development and reflective practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 exploring further ways of obtaining the views and opinions of younger children about the provision and using the information to contribute to the evaluation process.

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the early years provision

The childminder is wholly dedicated to her work with children and families, demonstrating exceptionally high levels of care and concern for their welfare. A raft of policies and procedures to safeguard children are in place and are implemented confidently and conscientiously. All adults in the household have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 been properly vetted and arrangements for emergency cover involve other registered childminders. The childminder is a leading member of a local childminder network group that meets routinely to organise exciting special events that enhance children's learning experiences, such as developing circus skills, visiting museums, farms and the seaside. This complements the wide range of experiences the childminder herself offers to broaden children's perception of their world and enable them to gain skills for life.

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the early years provision

Imaginative use is made of the premises both indoors and outside. Children can develop their independence as they select their own activities and resources, both commercial and home made, to use in their play. All children's needs are met well through effective partnership with parents and carers, underpinned by exceptionally good organisation, thorough risk assessments and systematic planning for continuous improvement. Parents' views about the care and education provided are sought and they report back on how they value the children's daily diaries and developmental reports, expressing gratitude for the newly acquired skills their children bring home. Older children express their absolute delight with being cared for by the childminder, declaring that she is 'more than outstanding' and 'deserves 10 out of 10'. The childminder has not yet fully explored ways of recording the views and opinions of the younger children in the evaluation process.

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the early years provision

However, ambition for improvement and commitment to equality and inclusive practice are evident in the range of training the childminder has attended and how well this has been embedded into practice. She uses sign language with the children and includes topics that help children understand each other's differences and the diversity of their world. She also makes highly effective use of the outdoor areas to promote children's good health and provide all of the learning opportunities in inspired ways. For example, children help to grow some fruits and vegetables. The childminder has extended this by planting single carrots in clear containers in order for children to observe the root growth.

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the early years provision

The childminder has embraced change such as the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance with enthusiasm and rigour. Partnerships with other providers are extremely well-developed, promoting consistency for children's development and learning. Her commitment to this aspect of the provision has led to others involved in children's early years education re-considering their own approach to working in partnership with other providers. Inherent in her practice is the attention to ensuring children's safety both on and off the premises. Detailed risk assessments cover everything a child may possibly come into contact with and these are frequently reviewed and updated as necessary. During a recent walk to school, the prolonged roadworks had moved along, rendering the usual crossing point dangerous as there was no patrol. Following the childminder's intervention, this was addressed and the crossing was made safe before the end of the day.

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and outcomes for children

Children have exceptional opportunities to flourish and develop in the care of this extremely caring and loving childminder. They are excited and motivated as they thoroughly enjoy learning in the attractive and homely environment supported by a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder who revels in their company and listens carefully to everything they say. Planning is linked loosely to topics which are then developed to indicate differentiation for each child dependent on their age, stage of development and level of ability. For example, a group of children engaged in making 'planets' using paper plates, glue and shaving foam. The planning indicated that the emphasis was on younger toddlers and babies enjoying the feel and texture of the material rather than creating the craters on the surface of the planet as older children were doing. Parents and grandparents contribute to the children s developmental

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and outcomes for children

records and delight in sharing the story boxes and sacks the childminder has devised to engage all children in communication, language and literacy. She is currently working on the Every Child a Talker project and is amassing resources to promote this. A current favourite story about going to hunt for a bear is supported by the well-chosen props that she provides. This fosters the development of a child's attainment being a true partnership with the families.

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and outcomes for children

All children are supported and nurtured by the childminder as she considers their emotional development very highly. They freely access some of the larger empathy dolls used by the childminder to enable children to share their fears, apprehensions and feelings. One large puppet is used to great effect by the childminder who inserts her hands into the puppet's hands and signs using the Makaton system. The children join in the favourite nursery rhyme with glee, making the signs along with the childminder. Children's health is very effectively promoted. They enjoy a wide variety of home-cooked meals provided by the childminder. They often obtain the fresh ingredients, having walked to the nearby community allotments and selected their produce. Children also become involved in cooking some of their own meals and snacks such as pizzas and fresh fish fingers. The childminder has worked tirelessly to provide balanced and nutritious menus and has achieved a

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and outcomes for children

healthy eating award from the local authority.

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and outcomes for children

The wholesome atmosphere created by the childminder ensures children are keen to learn, make excellent progress and are well prepared for their next steps in learning and development. Their behaviour is exemplary as they learn from an early age to share, be polite and help each other out. The praise given to children for their efforts shows in the pride children take in sharing the results of their work. The childminder has shared her role with children from a school, visiting to let them know what her job entails. The visit was reciprocated, when school children visited the childminder and enjoyed a picnic in the wonderful outside play space. A DVD was made to record this exchange and children watch it repeatedly with delight, recognising themselves, each other and the childminder. The song accompanying this record is indicative of the way in which the childminder supports each child in her care, enabling them to 'reach for the stars'.

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and outcomes for children

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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