Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY415387 Inspection date 28/07/2011 Inspector Barbara Wearing

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 was registered in 2010. She lives in the Old Trafford area of Trafford with her husband and two children aged 14 and eight years. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is a secure back yard for outdoor play.

p.4

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. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group. Care for children aged over five years to 11 years is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local baby and toddler groups.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and her family into their home. The childminder is gentle and caring and shows a great respect for the children she cares for and their families. She embraces children's individuality and values their unique characters and personalities. Therefore, children are confident, have fun and develop a high self-esteem. Since registration the childminder has worked hard to develop her good quality provision in which children progress well in all areas of learning. She is highly organised and professional and shows a genuine enjoyment in her childminding and commitment to the continual development of her provision for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further enhance summative assessments by including next steps for children to achieve in their development  take further spontaneous opportunities to extend childrens learning through child-initiated activities, particularly their number skills and mark making and writing.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has well organised systems for record keeping and clear and comprehensive policies and procedures. These are effective in promoting children's safety and welfare. She has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and a good knowledge of the procedures to follow in order to protect children from abuse or neglect. Rigorous risk assessments are conducted for all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas of the home used by children and for trips and outings. Records show that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are checked and that fire drills are carried out regularly. Therefore, the risk of accidental injury is reduced as hazards are quickly identified.

p.4

the early years provision

Children benefit from a wide range of experiences in and out of the childminder's home and greatly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder's own children who treat them with care and respect. During lunch time they eagerly chat about their planned trip to a play centre. They confidently make choices from the good quality toys and resources freely available to them and choose when to play indoors or outdoors. The childminder has obtained a grant from the local authority which she has used to purchase a selection of high quality resources, particularly those that promote positive images of diversity. The childminder is especially skilled at taking opportunities to embrace children's interest in similarities and differences that they observe in the people around them. She sensitively and thoughtfully answers their questions and actively encourages their understanding of and positive attitude towards, people of different ethnicity, culture and gender.

p.5

the early years provision

She is a positive role model and values children highly as unique individuals. Children therefore develop a strong sense of respect for themselves and others.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation form demonstrates how she reflects on her practice, taking on board the views of parents and development workers and the interests of the children. Since registration she has worked very hard to develop and improve her provision for children and has ambitious plans for future developments. She is currently undertaking a Level 3 childcare qualification and has plans to become a network accredited childminder.

p.5

the early years provision

Close links with parents and other early years settings that children attend enable all to enhance learning opportunities for children and maintain a consistent approach. With parents permission, the childminder obtains information from the nursery that children attend regarding thier progress and to find out what topics are being covered. She is then able to support and extend children's learning. For example, supporting them in recognising rhyming sounds and continuing with the theme of growing by planting vegetables and herbs. Children are delighted to take mint into school that they have grown at the childminder's house. Parents freely share information regarding their children verbally and/or through the use of a daily diary. They are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures and are kept up-to-date with the progress children make whilst with the childminder. Feedback from parents is complimentary. They particularly appreciate the warm

p.5

the early years provision

and caring, home-from-home environment that the childminder offers to their children and her flexible working hours.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Good systems are established for observation, assessment and planning. Children's learning journeys include regular observations of children, samples of their work and photographs. These are regularly assessed to provide a personal report This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 showing children's achievements and abilities, covering all areas of learning. The reports demonstrate the childminder's in-depth knowledge of the children and her good understanding of the early learning goals. Some observations include intended next steps for children's development, but they are not included in the reports. The childminder is confident in her planning of activities to support their future progress. She is aware that children often prefer to choose their own activities and takes some spontaneous opportunities to extend their learning during their freely chosen play. She is skilled at asking questions and engaging with

p.5

and outcomes for children

children to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world, problem solving and personal social and emotional skills. However, she takes fewer opportunities to extend their understanding of number and writing for a purpose.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are fun loving, enthusiastic and extremely confident and secure within the childminders home. They develop good fine motor skills, independence and a sense of self-esteem as they spread their chosen filling on their sandwiches. They develop an understanding of healthy living and a good knowledge and understanding of the world. They have enjoyed making their own pizzas using the basil they have grown and ask if they can grow a melon using a seed from their fruit salad. The childminder takes the opportunity to talk to them about different climates and they go outdoors to plant and water the seed. Children explain that they have to wash their hands with soap afterwards to wash off the germs. They have daily opportunities to play outdoors and regularly go to local parks and indoor play centres. Therefore, they develop good large muscle skills and have opportunities to be active in their play and learning. Children develop skills to keep

p.6

and outcomes for children

themselves and others safe, such as, road safety and stranger danger and are aware that small toys are to be kept out of the reach of babies.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are highly confident communicators. They chat eagerly to the childminder and her children, asking and answering questions, making requests and talking about their play and past and future events. A wide selection of good quality books are freely accessible and the childminder supports children in recognising key words and in telling stories from picture books. She supports them in writing their own name and children take some opportunities to practice these skills. For example, using the chalk board in the garden to write letters when playing 'schools'. Children are very polite and play happily with regard for the few, positive house rules that the childminder has on display. They use their imaginations and creative skills as they make snakes with play dough, paint using bubbles and play with role play and small world resources. Children become engrossed in an activity with small wooden blocks, greatly enjoying the childminder's involvement. They

p.6

and outcomes for children

build tunnels, roads and create rivers, using small wooden blocks. The childminder asks many questions to encourage them to think and problem solve and they use mathematical language to describe size and position. Children are happy and are developing a good range of skills and knowledge for their future. 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 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

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 2 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 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