Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 501166 Inspection date 09/03/2011 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 14 years in Leigh, Lancashire. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, inclusive of lounge, dining kitchen, dedicated play room and bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Family pets include 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 at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to and collects children from the local school and nursery.

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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

The childminder uses her well developed knowledge of individual children's needs to ensure that their welfare and learning are effectively promoted. Recording of children's progress lacks detail in part. Children are safe and secure and there is a well managed free flow of activities between rooms. Children's details in the main are well recorded. Parents, other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the childminder work well together to support each child's needs effectively. This means that children are progressing well. The childminder is using her current study towards NVQ level 3 to reflect on her practice and make improvements to her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 match observations more effectively to the expectations of the early learning goals in order to track children's progress  make more explicit the gathering of information about parental responsibility and legal contact on children's details sheets.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of the indicators of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child. There is a comprehensive written policy document covering all aspects of her service, which provide reference should the need arise. All required documentation is in place, however, detail concerning children's family backgrounds is lacking. The childminder completes regular risk assessments and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hazards are minimised both on and off the premises. The childminder has embraced the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses her current training to make changes to her provision. She attends stand alone training events, which also support her practice, such as, 'Safer Working Practices' and 'Promoting Positive Behaviour'.

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the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy the wide ranging resources, which are easily accessible in the dedicated play room. Play areas are bright and airy and examples of their creations adorn the walls. This gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder provides a good range of exciting learning opportunities and is hands-on to ensure children are supported.

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the early years provision

Parents enjoy good relationships with the childminder. They receive a good amount of relevant information during the flexible settling in process and there is ongoing feedback about development. Parents comment that thanks to the childminder's dedication their children are making great progress and that they always have something new to tell them. The childminder works effectively with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses information to support children's further development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care. They initiate play using resources easily accessible to them and the childminder uses opportunities for developing their knowledge and challenging their understanding. Together they create a scene at the park using play dough, which includes all their friends and animals they might see there. They talk about colours and quantities and become excited as the story unfolds. Children are reminded to be safe through gentle reminders from the childminder about, for example, sitting still on the stool so that it doesn't tip over. They wash their hands prior to eating and after using the bathroom and the childminder give explanations as to why. Meals and snacks are very healthy and nutritious and children enjoy making their own pizzas and playing 'guess the food games'. They enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise in the back garden and in nearby parks and fields. They do assault courses and make their

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual needs are well monitored. Individual learning journeys have been established containing observations of the children and identified next steps for development. These are used effectively to plan appropriate activities to extend learning. Systems for monitoring how much progress the children are making are less well established.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to be respectful of both people and property. They willingly help to tidy away the resources and are reminded to use their manners. They are beginning to take responsibility for their own actions and make lots of choices. Their language is developing well. There are words and pictures displayed around the room and a large alphabet frieze. They snuggle up for a story and are beginning to make recognizable marks including some letters of the alphabet. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 count with confidence and the childminder makes good use of daily activities for reinforcing the importance of number in the environment. They learn about their local community and the wider world through visiting local areas, such as, parks and attractions. They thoroughly enjoy making pictures of people from around the world and researching different cultures, which culminates in a large display on the

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and outcomes for children

wall. Children are proficient in the use of electronic toys and the computer. Creative activities are in abundance and the childminder has some innovative and exciting ideas to motivate children. They paint and glue, sing songs and dress up, and make dens. They learn to look after the world through recycling and planting seeds, the product of which is eaten, for example, cress sandwiches.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual needs are well monitored. Individual learning journeys have been established containing observations of the children and identified next steps for development. These are used effectively to plan appropriate activities to extend learning. Systems for monitoring how much progress the children are making is less well established. 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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