Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416978 Inspection date 29/11/2011 Inspector Ros Vahey

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and her two children aged six and eight years in a house in Shaw near Oldham. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes, except for the conservatory. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age group, who attends full time. The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school and mother and toddler sessions. The setting is open for part-time as well as full- time sessions, all year, apart from bank holidays and a week during Christmas/New Year.

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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's individual needs are well met and they make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has sound knowledge of the children and works closely with parents and carers. Children are happy, safe and secure. Policies and procedures are in place and records are well maintained. Children's learning is supported by many toys and resources available to them, although some areas of the provision are still developing. She is committed to continually improving her provision for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with opportunities to develop their imaginative and creative skills  develop the educational programme for children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy by providing opportunities and practical activities that enable them to improve their understanding of space, shape and patterns  develop the educational programme for children's literacy by providing opportunities for mark making using a range of materials.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. She is well informed about child protection and has the appropriate contact details available should she be concerned about a child. All household members are suitably vetted and children are kept very safe whilst in the childminder's care because she is vigilant This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and supervises them well. She regularly reviews and updates her risk assessments which cover all areas of her home, including the garden. This means all children are well protected when using equipment and resources, such as the trampoline and the slide. Children are also further protected because the childminder keeps many comprehensive records, including accident, medication and attendance records.

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the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable about the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The environment is well organised. There are some resources for children to choose from including a range of cause and effect toys for very young children. Children are able to choose what they would like to play and can access most resources for themselves, such as books, as well as musical instruments. This means that they are developing their independence skills which contributes to good progress in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She places a high priority on her personal development and keeps herself up-to-date. This enhances the safety and security of children. She continually looks for ways to improve her provision for the children and to this end sets herself appropriate targets. For example, she plans to develop her outdoor area and to create more opportunities for imaginative play, focused on the needs and abilities of the children. She has started to reflect on her practice, although systems are not yet fully developed. The childminder also liaises with other more experienced childminders and is developing her own network of professional resources, placing a high priority on improving the quality of her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers. One parent comments that the childminder 'really goes out of her way to accommodate every need'. She obtains useful information about each child, such can as what they can do themselves as well as their dietary and personal care needs. This means that parent's wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. The childminder and parents share important information about their child's starting points and progress. This means that parents can become involved in their child's learning and each child is well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. Effective relationships with other provisions and professionals involved with the children are emerging. For example, the childminder is developing closer links with the children's centre. Children are learning to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others because the childminder teaches

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the early years provision

them about other cultures and beliefs using her toys and resources to promote diversity. She provides varied and interesting activities to improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being in this setting and are familiar and secure in its routines because the childminder is careful to meet their needs. Children are able to move around freely and safely because the childminder ensures their environment is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safe. For example, they are well aware of where they can go in the setting and know how to use the toys and other resources safely. Children's good health is promoted effectively by the childminder. They readily have their hands wiped before a snack because good hand-washing routines are well established. They are starting to learn about making good choices in food because they are offered healthy options, such as fruit. Children are able to get out in the fresh air on most days. They are developing good physical skills in walking and running because they make use of a variety of resources. For example, they can use the swing and other

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and outcomes for children

equipment to test and challenge their skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder plans activities around their interests and needs. She regularly observes what they can do and records their progress so that what they need to do next is identified. Children are developing good language and communication skills. Very young children show interest in songs, rhymes and stories. They enjoy looking at books, turning the pages to find their favourite picture and talking about what they see. The children have plenty of opportunities to try out their early reading skills through a variety of interesting books and papers. However, the opportunities for early writing and drawing skills, such as lines and circles, with a range of materials, are still developing. Very young children are well taught to count in everyday activities, such as counting the numbers of snack they can eat. However, activities which encourage children's awareness of shapes and sizes and

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and outcomes for children

recognizing patterns in jigsaws are currently less well developed. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world through the use of a variety of activities, such as using play dough, playing with a variety of small world figures as well as imaginative role play, is not yet fully developed. Children's skills for the future are developing steadily.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave really well in the setting and are confident socially. This is because the childminder offers clear expectations using praise and kindness. Children are learning about their own and other cultures and beliefs because they are learning how to make and enjoy food from other countries. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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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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