Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318334 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 1994. She lives with her adult child in Flixton, an area in Manchester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. She has use of a car to transport children on outings and school runs. The family have three pet rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of Urmston Childminding Group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and 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

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder promotes inclusive practice well to ensure that parents and children feel valued, welcomed and respected. She is an experienced practitioner who demonstrates a secure knowledge of child development to support children's learning and play effectively, consequently, children make steady progress in the development. Her expert knowledge of the individual children in their care means that children enjoy a variety of valuable play experiences and activities, in this excellently resourced, safe and secure environment. Positive partnerships between parents and other early years settings children attend benefits and enhances children's care and learning. The childminder has made a start in the self-evaluation process and is clear on her strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to identify the six areas of learning and development within the observation and assessment process and encourage parents to become involved in their children's learning  develop further the systems for reflective self-evaluation that contribute to the continuous improvement in the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded and protected through the ongoing safety procedures maintained by the childminder. The childminder has completed safeguarding training and has a detailed policy regarding safeguarding children which is made available to parents. She has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility should she have any concerns about the welfare of the children in her care. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and ensures her first aid box is well equipped and accessible in an emergency. A wealth of regularly reviewed policies and procedures are in place to uphold children's safety and well- being. Detailed risk assessments for the premises and outdoor visits are maintained and regularly reviewed to keep children safe. Children's toys and play equipment are monitored to ensure they are free from damage and safe for children's use. The children learn to respect and value their environment. They

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the early years provision

help with recycling waste products and grow plants in the garden.

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the early years provision

This childminder is an experienced early years practitioner who is dedicated to further developing her childminding service. The childminder takes full advantage of training opportunities as well as completing research and reading in early years subjects for herself. This keeps her aware of new developments in the child care profession. She takes on board the suggestions made by the local authority development workers and recommendations made at previous inspections are completed. Written self-evaluation is in the early stage of development. However, through discussion the childminder is very aware of her overall strengths and areas for development to improve the outcomes for the children in her care.

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the early years provision

Equality of opportunity and inclusion are fundamental values of the setting. The childminder's home is organised so that children experience freedom of movement between the playroom and kitchen in complete safety. Children enjoy an extensive range of invaluable play activities both inside and outside the home. She has made the areas conducive to children's play so they are able to make independent choices about what they do, therefore learning is fun, interesting and stimulating.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive relationships established with parents, carers and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Parents express a high regard for the childminder and the service she provides for them and their children. The regular sharing of information ensures that all parties are kept well informed and this contributes to children's continuity in care and ensures the complementing of children's learning. Through daily conversations the childminder keeps parents informed about the children's day and ongoing progress and development. Children's files are available for parents. However, they are not encouraged to add comments in these documents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children settle easily in the childminder's company as they are warmly welcomed and feel part of the family. They have developed close and trusting relationships with the childminder. This gives them the confidence to participate in numerous learning experiences. Children enjoy themselves and have lots of fun. The childminder has established systems for gathering information about children's development and interests from parents. She uses this initial information to provide suitable age-appropriate activities which meet their interest and developmental requirements. Children's files containing photographs and simple written observations. The next steps in learning are also identified. However, links are not made to the six areas of learning and development. Planning allows for flexibility to follow children's interests while ensuring that children receive a broad range of activities and learning opportunities throughout the day. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

encourages children to value diversity and learn to respect other people. She has a wide range of toys that support this and provides activities that help children to learn about differences in society. They learn about their environment and the local community as they regularly visit children's groups, shops, libraries and parks close by. Children are developing skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being. They are well behaved and learn to be kind to one another. The childminder constantly praises children, which contributes to them feeling valued and respected.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy themselves and have lots of fun in this stimulating and interesting learning environment. They access a wide selection of high quality toys and resources that are stored in low level containers and accessible shelving. Children are fully supported by the childminder as they play. Children have established close relationships with the childminder. They confidently cuddle in when tired or sit close to the childminder as they play. The childminder constantly talks to the children about what they are doing and asks them questions about colour and number. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are supported while looking at books. They enjoy pressing the buttons to hear the ducks quacking as the childminder reads the story. The childminder responds to children's attempts at talking and reinforces their language. Children help themselves to the small world toys, dolls and puppets which they enjoy playing with. The childminder responds to

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and outcomes for children

their play by encouraging the children to feature of the face on themselves and the toys. The childminder knows the children well and helps the next steps in their development. For example, the childminder helps children's walking skills by holding out her hands and encouraging them to walk towards her, constantly praising their efforts and thereby building up their confidence. Children laugh and giggle as they play peek-a-boo games and enjoy looking out of the window at the pet rabbits. All children are included. She adapts craft activities to enable younger children to participate and create their own 'sticky picture'.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual health and hygiene practices are well promoted. They learn about healthy eating while completing topics on healthy living and lifestyle. Children enjoy food-tasting activities where they sample different meals, for example a range of Chinese meals and different fruits. The childminder provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children with a healthy snack and keeps children's packed lunches cool till required. Water is readily available to ensure hydration throughout the day. During the spring and summer months children learn about growth by sowing and planting seeds in pots and grow bags. The childminder supports children in adopting good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. They wash and dry their hands using individually labelled towels hanging on pegs in the kitchen. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, they take part

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and outcomes for children

in regular fire drills and use the green cross code when crossing roads. 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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