Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318297 Inspection date 05/05/2011 Inspector Sarah Rhodes

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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 in Timperley, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed outside play area. She occasionally has a cat and rabbit visiting as pets.

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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 four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is accredited to receive early education funding for three and four-year-olds.

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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 enjoy a warm, happy and well-planned environment tailored to their individual needs. The childminder has developed a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation stage and has a secure and growing understanding of the learning and development requirements which she uses to enhance the children's learning experience. She is fully committed to providing a quality service and developing her knowledge through training and professional advisor support. Considerable effort has been made to use self-evaluation to drive improvement and some targets such as becoming accredited have already been completed. Observation and assessment files are generally effective in recording and measuring children's development. A wide range of policies and records are in place to ensure the smooth operation of the setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation recording to summarise children's progress towards the early learning goals in the six areas of learning, share this with parents and obtain their input to the records. 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 safeguarded as the childminder ensures that she has updated her knowledge of child protection procedures by attending safeguarding refresher training. This ensures she is well equipped to undertake appropriate record keeping and referral, should this become necessary, in line with the latest government guidelines. She understands the safety issues within her house as she undertakes risk assessments though using a daily checklist and has a good knowledge of the children's stages of development and where this may require changes to safety routines. The building and garden is safe and secure, with additional precautions such as finger guards on the door frames. Emergency evacuations have been practised with the children to enhance their ability to cope in an emergency. All adult household members have been notified to Ofsted and visitors are supervised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very motivated about her continual development and learning, as well as enthusiastic about her role as a childminder in supporting children's development. She is committed to developing her service, accessing training and support and advice from local authority workers. She has recently been accredited which allows her to receive funding for three and four-year-olds and is undertaking a course to obtain an inclusion friendly stamp. All of this has supported her review and development of the provision. She has ensured all requirements are met and is developing a detailed understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her self-evaluation is comprehensive and helps to review progress and set goals for the future, some of which she has recently completed. It is used as a tool to drive improvement and plan actions to address areas for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a strong emphasis on working in partnership with parents and is committed to working with other providers and professionals where this becomes necessary. This ensures that no child is disadvantaged and all children have their needs met effectively. She has a comprehensive range of policies which parents sign to acknowledge they have read. This ensures that parents are clear about how the childminding operates right from the beginning of the placement and they can refer back to these policies whenever they need clarification. Parents are fully informed about their child's day and their progress. Information is also exchanged with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers who also care for the children. The childminder is proactive, accessing supplementary help for children with additional needs and understands the critical role she plays in enhancing children's development by supporting intervention strategies. She

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the early years provision

clearly understands the needs of all the individual children he cares for and has organised her play space to allow children easy access to a wide range of appropriate equipment both inside and outside. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The provision for children's learning, development and welfare is good. The childminder has whole-heartedly introduced the Early Years Foundation Stage to support her work, provide inspiration for activities and as a reference to help her monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. Comprehensive recording systems for observations clearly link to the areas and stages of the Early Years Foundation Stage and scrapbooks give a pictorial record of the activities children have taken part in. The next steps in children's learning are identified and recorded and used in planning for each child. Age-appropriate sheets are completed which map children's progress in all aspects of the six areas of learning and this allows the childminder to easily identify gaps, for example, those children not accessing information technology equipment. Parent diaries record children's activities or messages. Opportunities are provided for parents to look at the

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and outcomes for children

observation files and discuss these, but not to add their thoughts to the files, which means this information may not always be captured.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond to the positive, well-planned environment where their opinions are valued. They are bright and articulate, very busy and are well supported. The childminder's understanding of children's individual development needs directly influences her work. For example, encouraging fine finger abilities leads to additional small world play. A constant stream of conversation means that the children have a rich verbal setting to support the acquisition of speech. Their knowledge of the world is extended through their experiences of nature, building hedgehog houses or growing beans and potatoes. The children are encouraged to value books and have easy access to a wide range or high quality reading materials and organised story sessions. Mark making is supported through the provision of paints and role play writing. Children are able to access information technology and programmes which introduce computer skills and new information.

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and outcomes for children

They have access to larger equipment in the garden and local parks, giving them the opportunity to develop their balancing and climbing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is also promoted through the provision of healthy and home- cooked meals. Clear procedures about hygiene, both personal hygiene and hygiene of the home, enable children to play in a healthy environment. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of simple precautions such as how to walk near roads, and all children are included in the emergency evacuation practises. They understand why they wear hi-visibility jackets or wristbands when out and know the telephone number on them should be used in the unlikely event that they became separated. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a very positive way, praising the children, using distraction and ensuring they are clear about the boundaries that are in place. Children are encouraged to develop and use the same positive skills, with the 'proud of each other' board where they can post a note if they want to thank

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and outcomes for children

or praise another child. She is confident in her ability to work with parents and other professionals where a child has additional needs. She is very aware of the critical contribution she can make to ensure all children are well supported in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making good progress in developing skills for the future and the move to nursery or school when the time comes. 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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