Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276439 Inspection date 19/10/2011 Inspector Barbara Wearing

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives in the Fitton Hill area of Oldham with her long-term partner and their three children aged 16, 13 and six years. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Bathroom and toilet facilities are upstairs. There is a secure back garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children, four of whom are 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

Children are confident and secure within the childminder's home. The childminder works closely with parents and knows children well. She has established good systems to ensure the continual development of her childminding provision. Effective links with other professionals and attendance at a wide range of training has enabled her to improve outcomes for children. She has a good knowledge of the early learning goals and individual children's development which she uses to enhance their progress in all areas of learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage children to make choices from the full range of accessible toys and resources  enhance development records to include initial information gathered from parents regarding their children's skills and abilities in order to establish starting points from which to track children's progress.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is promoted well. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of when and how to refer concerns to appropriate agencies. Regular risk assessments are carried out for all areas of her home, various toys and equipment and trips outside of the home. These are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective in minimising the risk of accidental injury while allowing children to explore a range of activities that develop their skills. Policies, procedures and records are all comprehensive, well-organised, regularly updated and shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a strong commitment to the continual development of her childminding provision. She attends regular training that increases her early years knowledge and skills. She regularly reflects on her early years practice and identifies areas for development that have a positive impact on outcomes for children. Since her last inspection these have included improvements to the outdoor play area and an increased understanding of how to promote children's communication and literacy skills. She has achieved a level 3 qualification in home- based childcare and has become a local authority network childminder.

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the early years provision

The daily and weekly routine offers all children a wide range of experiences in and out of the home. The childminder has a good variety of toys and resources that reflect positive images of diversity, promote all areas of learning and reflect children's interests. A selection of these are set out for children in the sitting room. A wider choice has recently been reorganised and are kept in accessible, labelled storage units in the dining room/playroom. However, younger children who spend time playing in the sitting room do not generally access these freely. Regular trips to toddler groups, activity groups, local parks, farms and the library provide children with further opportunities to develop their skills and to learn from first- hand experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with other early years professionals and parents. They work together to ensure that children's individual needs are identified and that they are given support to promote their progress. Involvement with the local children's centre helps the childminder to keep up-to-date with early years issues. Daily diaries are effective in sharing information regarding children's experiences and achievements at home. This allows the childminder and parents to work together, enhancing children's learning and development and maintaining consistency. Feedback from parents is sought regularly as part of the childminder's self-evaluation process. Completed questionnaires demonstrate that they are very pleased with the childminder's provision. They find her approachable, appreciate the sharing of information regarding children's progress and feel their children benefit from the close bonds they form with her.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual development files provide a personal account of their time with the childminder and of their progress. They do not show children's skills and abilities when they start, although these are discussed with parents as part of the settling-in process. Observations are used to track children's development towards all of the early learning goals. The childminder uses these, together with her knowledge of learning and development, to identify next steps for each child. This informs the range of activities she plans and ensures she supports children well as they play, enabling their good progress in all areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are happy and secure within the childminder's home. They develop a strong sense of belonging and develop skills and independence as they are involved in the daily routine. For example, they learn about the importance of

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and outcomes for children

hygiene when wiping the table before they set it for dinner. Children learn to recognise letters in their own name as the childminder supports them in sounding out the letters of their name on their name cards. The childminder encourages children's language, asking them questions and repeating and extending their vocabulary. Children greatly enjoy choosing books from the good selection freely accessible to them. The childminder asks younger children to point out and name objects and reads favourite stories. As children show skills in counting by rote, the childminder takes opportunities to encourage them to count objects. They count their fingers when singing songs and how many skittles are left when bowling.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to engage in a range of activities that promote their good creative and large and small muscle skills. They enjoy moving to music, copying actions with the childminder. They explore glue and make collages following an activity making 'wooden spoon' people, planned to help children name body parts and facial features. Children enjoy drawing and naming different members of their family on a large sheet of paper. They use their imaginations as they play 'shops', using toy shopping trolleys and play food. These skills are developed further as they go to regular 'messy monster' and 'boogie baby' sessions. They develop a knowledge and understanding of the world as they explore the outdoor environment. Photographs show children gardening and making perfume with flowers they have collected. Children develop skills to keep themselves safe. The childminder talks to them about their rights and clear house

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and outcomes for children

rules encourage them to respect themselves and each other. Posters show activities children have engaged in to develop their understanding of road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy lifestyles are promoted and physical skills are developed. Children have regular opportunities to be active outdoors and enjoy healthy home-cooked meals and snacks. They learn about dental hygiene as the oral health team visit the toddler group. 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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