Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422379 Inspection date 25/07/2011 Inspector Anne Drinkwater

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and child aged three years in the Droylsden area of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and bathroom and on the first floor. There is an enclosed back yard for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. In total there are four children on roll. This provision is registered by Ofsted 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

The childminder aims to provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment for the children she cares for. She has implemented all the required policies and procedures to underpin her service. The childminder provides a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors that meets children's interests and promotes their development, across the six areas of learning. There are effective systems in place to ensure communication with parents with regard to children's individual needs and their learning. The childminder regularly attends additional training, reflects on her practice and has begun to identify the strengths and weakness of her provision and is keen to further improve her service, for example to become a network childminder to ensure improved outcomes for all the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the good partnership working by inviting parents to contribute their children's initial starting points on entry to fully support and inform planning  improve further the risk assessment for the premises so that it identifies all potential hazards  develop systems for self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for improvement to further raise the good quality of care and education and consider ways to seek parents and children's views in order for them to contribute to the settings self-evaluation. 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 all referral details in place and is aware of the procedures she would follow if she has any safeguarding concerns. She has well-written policies and procedures which she shares with parents. The childminder updates her knowledge through attending training and she holds a current first aid certificate. She has appropriate fire safety equipment in place and has practised emergency evacuation drills with the children. An outings policy is in place and identifies steps taken by the childminder to ensure children's safety when out of the home. Risk assessments for the premises have been completed and identify most hazards and good use is made of equipment, such as, stair gates and safety locks on low-level cupboards to protect children from dangers. Rooms used by the children are well laid out to enable them to move about freely and safely. Resources are effectively stored to enable children to self-select from a range of activities. Children are kept

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the early years provision

safe and their well-being is promoted well by the childminder.

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the early years provision

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in the setting and readily approach the childminder for help or reassurance. All children and their families are welcomed and valued and the childminder is keen to ensure that her service is accessible to all. The childminder ensures equality and diversity are promoted effectively as she uses a variety of flash cards, toys and books that show positive images of people in the community and provides activities and outings that help children learn about cultures and beliefs. An initial meeting with parents ensures the background and routines of each child are known and respected. With the emerging partnerships with parents she has become familiar with each child's individual needs and as children progress parents are kept informed about their child's achievements through discussion and their well presented portfolios, however, she has yet to set up systems to gain the children's initial starting points

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the early years provision

on entry from parents to ensure she is able to plan for their immediate learning needs when they first attend. That said, the childminder has developed some good communication systems to enhance the partnerships with parents who through written testimonials refer to the excellent experiences and learning their children have acquired through her well-planned activities and observations.

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the early years provision

She shows a clear awareness of developing her service and recognises the need to develop systems of self-evaluation to further identify her setting's strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a very good range of resources, experiences and activities. They are provided with opportunities to independently choose from a wide and varied selection of resources, which enables children to build on their natural curiosity. The childminder is very well-organised in her observations and planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and demonstrates a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Activities are well-planned; the childminder is resourceful and has a wealth of good ideas to engage children. She keeps a daily diary of how the children have spent their day, which she shares with parents. Written and photographic observations of children's achievements help to capture how well children are achieving in line with the early learning goals and are used to plan for next steps in individual children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good communication skills as the childminder talks to them, circle times further help to extend their vocabulary and conversation skills. She uses various visual signs and props, such as, puppets and story sacks to extend the activity. Persona dolls further help to develop their emerging personal, social and emotional development. The childminder and children enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes and opportunities to develop their emerging writing skills as they use chalks, crayons, and paints to mark-make. Their understanding of technology and how things work is fostered as they use interactive toys and learn to push, pull and turn the knobs and dials with increasing skill and control. Children benefit from a clean, bright and well-maintained learning environment that is well organised, providing clear play space for younger children to move freely and develop their crawling and walking skills. Overall, children develop very good skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and eagerly engage in the wide range of activities both indoors and within the community. They are eager to participate and are keen learners. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the children as individuals and provides activities accordingly, so they offer appropriate challenge. Children are able to explore and select resources independently. Children benefit from a welcoming environment and an abundance of community resources where they socialise with a wide mix of children and learn to share and play cooperatively with their peers; as a result, children grow confident in their surroundings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives meaningful praise and encouragement to children. Their efforts are acknowledged and their achievements celebrated with the abundance of photographs and displays of their work. Younger children's personal care needs, such as, sleeping and foods are discussed with parents and the childminder adapts her routines to ensure she meets all children's individual needs. Children's individual personalities and likes and dislikes are acknowledged and valued. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence well. As a result, children are making very good progress in their personal, social and emotional development.

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and outcomes for children

Daily outdoor play and activities are included in the routine and children benefit from activities, plenty of fresh air and physical activity, promoting their understanding of healthy life styles. Children's behaviour is appropriately supported. If required the techniques used are suitable for the age and stage of children's development. For example, distraction and explaining to children in language they understand prevents unwanted behaviour. Children's safety is prioritised on outings with attention given to road safety and teaching the children to behave in a safe manner. The childminder encourages healthy eating by providing healthy snacks and freshly cooked meals and talking with the children about why they need healthy foods. 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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