Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY280666 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Helene Terry

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in a property in Bolton, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the home and the bathroom upstairs are used for the children. The rear garden is used for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. At present, she has one child on roll within the early years age range, who attends for various sessions throughout the week. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She receives support from the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge and awareness of children's individual needs, enabling her to promote and safeguard their welfare generally well. Most documentation supports their well-being effectively. She has good knowledge of how to promote children's learning and development and this is reflected in the good progress children make. Children benefit from the close relationships established with parents and other agencies. The childminder's systems for self- evaluation are still being developed; this has led to a breach in the welfare requirements. However, she demonstrates a sound ability to continually look for ways to improve the quality of the provision.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 ensure that the record of risk assessment clearly states, by whom it was carried out (Documentation). 30/03/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the use of self-evaluation processes as the basis for ongoing internal review; assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria  review further the risk assessments to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact, including the suitability of the current fireguard This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further systems to ensure that parents are allowed free access to records about their child, including observations of their child.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare needs are well met. The childminder demonstrates generally good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care children. Sound risk assessments for the home, garden and outings support children's safety. However, the risk assessments are not signed by the person completing the checks, this is breach of requirements. The childminder has also not fully assessed the risk of the current system for protecting children's access to the fire. The childminder supervises children at all times and she has all the required documentation to support children's health, safety and general well-being. All adults in the home have been vetted to further protect children.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a wide range of resources for varying ages of children. Children access age appropriate resources and they know they can ask for additional activities. For example, a child asks if they can do a painting. The childminder immediately obliges by getting out the paints and easel. Resources and activities reflect positive images of many aspects of our society. As a result, children learn to value and respect people's differences and similarities. The childminder seeks support from parents to enable her to do this effectively. The environment and activities are inclusive and play opportunities are tailored to children's individual abilities.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has developed strong positive relationships with parents. They are well informed about her practice through discussion and written policies and procedures. They regularly exchange information about children's activities and achievements through discussions and children's activity files. However, the childminder's observations of all the children are currently kept in one file. This does hinder parent's free access to them, owing to confidentiality issues. Discussions with parents are used to enable parents to extend learning at home, for example, by encouraging children to use the computer and develop their enjoyment of musical instruments. Although, the childminder does not currently care for any children who attend other early years settings, through discussions she demonstrates her understanding of the need to work together to enhance the well-being of children. She has experience of working with other agencies in the

p.5

the early years provision

protection of children, such as, children's services.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is in the early stages of developing systems for evaluating and monitoring her provision. She receives support from the local authority and seeks parents' views through discussion and some written comments. However, systems are not rigorous enough to identify strengths and areas for improvement. She has addressed all recommendations identified at the last inspection to enhance children's welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a stimulating learning environment. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage; therefore, children's progress towards the early learning goals is well supported. A good range of resources and interesting activities help children learn well in all areas. A record of children's progress is maintained through observation and assessments and the next steps in learning are identified taking into consideration their interests and learning styles.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are becoming increasingly independent within the environment, they wash their own hands and face and dispose of the wipes in the bin. They choose their own activities and make suggestions about what they want to do. Children show very good skills in sharing and taking turns demonstrated when they play with the childminder at hopscotch or 'guess the missing object'. Children's behaviour is very good, they learn to socialise at groups and show very good manners, using terms, such as, 'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted. They use communication and language skills very well and enjoy sharing books, talking about what they see and relating aspects of this to their home life. Mathematical skills are encouraged in every day activities, for example, children recognise shapes and patterns in the environment when they recognise making a zig-zag pattern or making an X mark on their face as they clean it. They recognise numbers very well as they play hop

p.6

and outcomes for children

scotch and can say which number is bigger than another. Children enjoy problem solving as they do jigsaws and match objects. They delight in making a road creatively from jigsaw pieces, bricks and then marching the animals in lines across it. The childminder then encourages a child to take a photograph of their creation to add to their development file, as a result, developing their skills in technology. Children also take part in lots of creative activities, such as, painting, gluing and making collages. They also express their feelings and ideas through role play and musical instruments.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy lifestyles through daily routines and activities. They have regular opportunities to play outdoors in the garden or at parks to exercise, build up muscles and develop coordination. They learn about food that is good for them through activities and healthy snacks. Parents currently provide meals for children during the day. Children regularly take part in the fire drills and learn how to cross roads safely during outings. The childminder also reminds children how to use equipment safely in the home; as a result, they learn how to keep themselves and others safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8