Barlow, Jane Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361388 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 2007. She lives with her husband, who works as her assistant and two children aged 11 and 10 years in Ashton-Under-Lyne close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor house is used for childminding which includes the lounge, kitchen and designated play room. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children aged under eight years at any one time when working with an assistant and a maximum of six children when working alone. There are currently eight children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions; of these, five are in the early year's age range. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register, and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to allow the childminder to care for older children. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

She is supported by Thameside Sure Start. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of the accredited childminder network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant promotes children's welfare and learning in an inspiring and challenging way that provides a safe and inclusive environment. She has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and exemplary systems are in place in relation to planning, assessment and safety. The children are happily engaged and occupied in a highly stimulating range of play activities and experiences. The childminder has a highly successful partnership with parents; they are consulted and involved and kept well informed of their children's daily routines, care and learning. Also, very positive links with others promote excellent quality and continuity of education and care. Good steps are taken to self-evaluate and she demonstrates an excellent capacity to make continuous improvement and sustain the existing very high standards.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to use self-evaluation effectively to monitor the setting and reflect as children progress throughout their learning. 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 highly effective understanding of safeguarding children and keeps up to date with training. She has an excellent knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child's welfare. A record of visitors to the setting is maintained and all other aspects of documentation relating to the welfare of the children are in place, of a very high standard and stored to respect confidentiality. Children know where to find resources to extend their play ideas and follow their own interests. Defined areas, such as writing, investigation and construction, in the large play areas enable children to consolidate their learning exceptionally well. The environment is highly stimulating and excellent work displays really attract children's attention and contribute to their learning. She has developed an excellent range of accessible resources to help children to explore with free flow from the indoors to the

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the early years provision

outdoors. Workshops and a wealth of training reflect extremely well in her practice and planning of activities which promotes excellent outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works extremely well to promote an excellent and inclusive service to children, parents and carers. She adapts activities for children and they make eye patches giving them an awareness of disability. She is very committed and enthusiastic and alongside her assistant they continually strive to improve the excellent service they offer. They both adhere to a comprehensive operational plan meeting the individual needs of all children exceptionally well. The excellent liaison with parents and carers contributes to improvements in children's achievement, well-being and development. She maintains children's individual daily diaries, newsletters, a very informative notice board and detailed questionnaires. Parents have a wealth of opportunities to comment on their children's assessments. Furthermore, they are very well informed of the Early Years Foundation principles in the welcome packs with exceptional involvement in their children's learning and

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the early years provision

development. Parents speak very highly of the childminder and her assistant working together in a very homely environment.

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the early years provision

She has excellent effective working partnerships with other early years settings and schools which some children attend. She works extremely closely with the portage system to ensure consistency of care at all times. She also liaises extremely well with Sure Start, attends the local children's centre and is part of the childminding network promoting excellent childcare.

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the early years provision

Highly effective self-assessment procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the provision which takes into consideration the views of parents, children and outside agencies. However, she could develop this further by reflecting on the impact of children's progress. Future plans for the service are extremely well targeted to further promote positive outcomes for children. For example, she hopes to purchase an outdoor shelter to enhance opportunities in the garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Framework, which enables her to meet the requirements extremely well and promote outcomes for children. Rigorous planning provides a superb range of interesting and stimulating activities to help the children make progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder uses the excellent detailed children's starting points she receives from parents to challenge and stretch children from a very early age. She observes children at play and uses this to meticulously plan for individual progress and identify suitable next steps in learning. Also activities and trips are repeated to ensure children who attend different sessions have equal choice in her care. They both provide a well-balanced day that contains suitable periods of time where children mainly follow their own initiated ideas as well as lots of adult-led activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes diversity extremely well and constantly talks to the children to help them understand the society they live in. They celebrate Chinese New Year, the Jamaican culture and a wealth of other celebrations. Children learn key words helping them to communicate with each other and parents from a different origin are invited to celebrate and share there culture with the children. They access a very wide range of resources to help them positively explore and value differences and similarities in the wider world. Children also go on trips such as to museums, the beach and the park and are actively involved in activities in the local and wider communities to widen their knowledge. There is an exceptional emphasis on independence and children are encouraged to access their own drinks, help out at snack times and learn to dress themselves. News times, and extra individual support give them confidence to speak out and gain an extreme

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and outcomes for children

A wealth of photographic documentation around shows the children have a great amount of opportunities to express their own thoughts and ideas using a variety of creative materials. They are engrossed in dressing up and participate in role play. Lots of photographic evidence demonstrates children pouring and sinking objects in water and sand, melting ice, melting chocolate and feeling different textures such as shaving foam, glitter and bamboo. Children have a lovely time outside with the large magnifying glasses looking for insects in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to see examples of everyday print and to learn that print has a meaning. Throughout the rooms, toys are labelled to enable them to freely choose what they want to play with. They use language extremely well and are encouraged to make marks, recognise letters and use sounds. Furthermore, the childminder makes story sacs and children enjoy dressing up as their favourite character during a book week. Children learn to count exceptionally well, calculate and problem solve throughout their daily routine. A wealth of games and puzzles helps them to recognise colours. Children's physical skills and coordination are developed extremely well as the childminder encourages and promotes outdoor play and exercise. They thoroughly enjoy playing outside in all weather clothing. The outdoor play area is extremely well designed and supports This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is extremely clean, warm and well maintained. For example, stringent nappy changing procedures are in place and children are fully aware of hand washing after activities. They brush their teeth with the childminder and assistant to enable them to enhance their hygiene awareness. Children are very well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating as a very well-balanced and nutritious diet is in place to aid their growth and development. Meals are cooked from fresh ingredients, and children learn table manners and social skills as they sit together for meals in small groups. During Red Nose Day the children prepared healthy red snacks and helped to raise money for charity. Drinks are available at all times of the day. Children are very involved in activities to remind them about fruit and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent behaviour is displayed and the frequent use of praise helps children feel good about themselves. The childminder and her assistant are excellent role models to the children and speak quietly to them. The premises are extremely safe and secure and both indoors and outside are subject to extremely rigorous risk assessments to ensure that risks to children are minimised. Trips are well thought- out to enable children to have fun in a safe environment. Children are involved in the regular fire drill and participate in a large variety of topics, such as 'stranger danger'. When the children are out walking or on trips they follow excellent safety procedures. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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