Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 322784 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector Michele Villiers

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Leigh, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor 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 pet 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, 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 occasionally minds with a co-childminder. When working together they may care for a maximum of 12 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a qualification in childcare.

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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 children play in a welcoming family home with access to a designated playroom. There is an inclusive environment and the deployment of toys and resources are a key strength. The children make good progress in their learning and development and effective systems are used to monitor their progress, with some means of identifying initial profiles. The childminder is committed to maintaining continuous development and has started to use self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement. The close partnership with parents and carers helps to ensure the needs of all children are met. Daily checks on the premises and good health routines help protect children from harm.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on the systems used for obtaining initial information about the children's abilities when they first start, through a regular two-way flow of information with parents  extend self-evaluation by assessing what is provided against robust and challenging quality criteria and use as the basis of ongoing review  increase parents' opportunities to contribute their views and ideas, in particular to their children's progress and development reports. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues and has undertaken training to support her knowledge. She has devised written child protection policies and procedures to share with parents. The home is secure, and regular risk assessments help keep children safe. Children's accidents are clearly recorded, and parental consent is obtained prior to the administration of any medication. Recommendations have been successfully met since the last inspection. The childminder has improved her knowledge of child protection issues and updated policies and procedures to further safeguard children.

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the early years provision

Excellent use is made of space within the home and children freely access a huge range of toys and resources. Good consideration is given to the integration of all children and positive steps are taken to meet their individual needs. The childminder evaluates her provision through observation and discussion with parents, but does not always use this as a basis for ongoing review in order to further identify possible areas for improvement. Parents are kept very well informed about the provision and their child's progress. A wealth of information is displayed, and parents may access their child's progress report at any time. However, opportunities for parents to add their comments in their child's development records have not yet been incorporated. Letters from parents are very positive about the care provided, with comments such as 'The childminder is exceptional and I would not hesitate in recommending her'.

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and outcomes for children

The children thoroughly enjoy their play, excitedly choosing toys. The playroom is bright and interesting with colourful posters and children's artwork. Weekly planning is used to ensure activities are varied and suitably challenging, and children regularly visit places of interest, such as, the park and local play groups.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses observation to monitor the children's progress and records her findings in children's individual reports. Photographs of the children playing also evidence their achievements. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the children's abilities and progress. However, their initial starting points are not clearly identified with contributions from parents in documentation when they first start.

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and outcomes for children

The children demonstrate very good concentration to complete tasks, such as, puzzles and construction. They learn to share, take turns and help each other. Their communication, literacy and numeracy skills are fostered particularly well helping them develop good skills for the future. The childminder constantly talks to children and encourages them to explore books. They enjoy listening to stories and young children imitate words and sounds in picture books. The childminder also uses simple sign language and repetitive words to reinforce their understanding. Activities are provided to stimulate the children's imagination and senses. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 manipulate malleable materials, such as, play dough, and discuss the texture and different colours. They enjoy various art and craft activities, and use their imagination well, playing with dolls and pretending to bath the 'baby'.

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and outcomes for children

During play and practical activities children count and learn to recognise numbers, fostering their mathematical development. At snack time they count how many grapes they each have and calculate how many are left. They count puzzle pieces, and discuss the colour and shapes of cutters used with play dough. The children become aware of technology and access programmable toys and music players. Good systems are in place to help children learn about diversity and have respect for others. They celebrate different cultural festivals, such as, making colourful pictures for Chinese New Year. Many toys and books are provided that reflect positive images of different cultures, race and disability, to further reinforce the children's learning and support those children attending.

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and outcomes for children

The children's independence is strongly encouraged. They learn to toilet themselves and attend to personal hygiene, such as, washing their hands and cleaning their teeth. At meal times young children become competent at pouring their own drinks and serving others. Young children develop excellent fine motor skills and coordination, handling small tools, such as, crayons, and playing hoopla games. The children adopt healthy lifestyles and enjoy a well balanced diet with home cooked meals and plenty of fresh fruit. Children are taught about safety. On outings they learn about road safety, and this is reinforced through displayed picture images on how to safely cross the road. Activity packs on safety, plus story books, such as, 'Teddy takes a tumble' because he is not wearing a car seat belt, reinforce the children's knowledge and understanding. 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 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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