Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 500346 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is an adult and her other child is aged 15 years. They live in a house in Manchester. The children have access to the living room, kitchen and conservatory. A bathroom and toilet is available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a cat.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently has one child on roll aged one year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary 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 are well cared for in a positive and supportive environment. The childminder promotes children's welfare and learning with success, ensuring they are safe and secure. Children are valued for their individuality and treated with equal respect and concern, which enables them to feel included. Good relationships with parents promote consistency and security in children's lives. Self- evaluation systems are progressing well and the childminder is aware of her development needs. Areas for further improvement centre on developing resources to further promote children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide resources to support young children in their drive to stand and walk  provide sand in small trays so young children can enjoy making marks in it.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted because the childminder is pro-active in ensuring the required checks are carried out to ensure all adults living in her household are suitable. Thorough risk assessments are undertaken to keep hazards to children, both indoors and outdoors, to a minimum. Extra precautionary safety equipment, such as, carbon monoxide detectors, further protect children from potential dangers. Children's well-being is safeguarded as the childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to liaise with appropriate agencies if child protection concerns arise and robust safeguarding procedures are in place. Records are well-organised and kept in good order to support the smooth running This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the childminder's business. Children move around the childminder's comfortable home freely and make good use of the space. Good quality toys and equipment

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the early years provision

stimulate their curiosity and in the main, meet their developing needs well.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good commitment towards the on going development of her service. To keep up to date with current issues in childcare, she reads relevant publications and shares ideas with other childminders. New ways of working are incorporated into her practice, such as supporting children's understanding of numbers. Through self-evaluation, the childminder is able to critically analyse her strengths and identify areas for improvement. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been successfully met. For example, children now have access to fresh drinking water at all times, which keeps them well refreshed.

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the early years provision

An open and friendly approach with parents contributes to establishing a highly effective working partnership. The childminder has devised a range of written policies and procedures about her practices, which are shared with parents so they have a clear understanding about the service on offer. Detailed information is gathered and recorded from parents about how to plan to meet children's specific needs. Close liaison regarding children's sleeping and eating habits, enables their individual requirements to be met. Parent's ideas on ways to develop their children's learning are adhered to, such as introducing children to words in different languages, such as Spanish. Daily discussions keep parents well informed about their children's well-being and children's files, with evidence of their work and achievements, are also shared. Parents are appreciative of the service, which is reflected in the many thank you cards the childminder has received. The

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the early years provision

childminder is not currently caring for children who attend other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, although she has a satisfactory understanding of the importance of working in partnership with others, to promote continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well settled. The childminder's warm and caring approach enables her to build trusting relationships with children. This successfully promotes children's emotional well-being and they feel secure in her company and home. Significant events in children's lives, such as birthdays are celebrated with a cake and party. This helps them to feel special. The childminder interacts very well with children and actively supports their learning through on going encouragement, effective questioning and good role modelling. A good range of stimulating activities captures children's interest and motivates them to learn. Effective use of observation and assessment systems enables the childminder to identify and carefully plan for next steps of children's learning. As a result, children make good progress in their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children take an active interest in their play and develop a positive disposition to learning. They use their senses as they eagerly investigate a wide range of interesting objects, such as fir cones, a bunch of keys and soft brushes in their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 treasure basket. The childminder manages children's behaviour well through the use of effective distraction techniques and frequent praise. As a result, children behave well and develop a positive self-esteem. Children's communication skills are developing well, as the childminder effectively promotes their language and understanding through good quality interactions. Activities, such as playing with puppets and making animal sounds, provide plenty of fun. Children join in with the roar of a lion and lift up their arms to swing them like an elephant's trunk. They mimic the movements of a monkey using their arms and laugh out loud. Children

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and outcomes for children

benefit from regular attendance at toddler groups, where they have different play experiences and meet others. This extends their learning and helps them to become sociable. Visits to the library promote an enjoyment of books and children love to listen to nursery rhymes, such as 'Humpty Dumpty'. Young children try new experiences as they have their hand painted and make hand prints. However, they have fewer opportunities to enjoy other mark-making activities, such as playing with sand.

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and outcomes for children

Mathematical awareness is well promoted. The childminder uses everyday opportunities, such as walking up and down the stairs to support children's understanding about counting. As children try to join and fit the correct shapes into holes, they concentrate well and learn how to problem solve. Children enjoy playing fun games with the childminder, such as pointing to their nose, eyes and mouth. They become aware of living things and take a keen interest in watching squirrels and birds in the childminder's garden. Electronic and programmable toys captivate children's interest and they show curiosity as they press buttons and listen to their sounds. Through taking part in activities linked to various festivals, children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity and the wider world. For example, during Chinese New Year, they taste foods, such as egg fried rice and handle paper dragons. Children eagerly explore their surroundings. They

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and outcomes for children

develop their co-ordination and physical skills as they participate in dancing sessions and enjoy games, such as rolling a ball to the childminder. Children benefit from fresh air and enjoy regular visits to the park to play on equipment, such as swings. However, young children have limited access to push-along toys to support them in their drive to stand and walk. Eagerness is shown as children explore musical instruments. They repeatedly shake bells and show delight at the sound of the jingle.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in clean and warm surroundings, where there are effective practices in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder implements hygienic nappy changing routines and young children learn to follow well-established practices as they hold out their hands to be wiped at snack time. Children enjoy nutritious foods to promote their growth and development. At snack time, they confidently express their likes and dislikes and eagerly tuck in to fresh fruit. The childminder ensures children are well supervised to keep them free from harm. Young children begin to take risks and develop confidence as they repeatedly climb in and out of toy boxes. Fire drills are undertaken, which helps children understand about safe practices. 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 3 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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