Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 504874 Inspection date 07/12/2011 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 13 and 16 years in the Harwood area of Bolton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children mainly use a dedicated playroom and adjoining bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a range of pets including a cat, finches, tortoises and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early age group at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in this age group at different times across the week. The childminder also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is available to provide care each weekday on a full-time basis. She takes children to local toddler and community groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 making consistent progress in their learning and development because the childminder is now making good use of her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents are well informed and positively contribute towards children receiving continuity of care and shared practice. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She has begun to use the self-evaluation process and has identified further ways to improve and develop her service. Priority is given to providing an inclusive and well resourced and safe environment.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop ways of obtaining information from parents regarding children's starting points when they first attend  improve further the arrangements for observations, planning and assessments so they can be used on a regular basis to incorporate children's next steps and assist in providing challenging learning and development experiences, across all areas of learning both indoors and out. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded well. The childminder understands her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and updates her training in this subject on an ongoing basis to reinforce and consolidate her knowledge. She has a detailed written policy, which she shares with parents, to support her practice in this area. Children can play safely as the childminder has risk assessed both her home and any outings the children are taken on. She maintains written records of these assessments and ensures these are updated as and when required. Aspects of children's well-being in an emergency situation are promoted well overall, because fire evacuations are practised. There are working smoke alarms installed and a fire blanket is provided in the kitchen. She has a valid first aid certificate to ensure she can give any required treatment correctly. In addition all the required members of her household have had all the necessary checks completed.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to driving improvement to continually develop the quality of her provision. She draws on a range of sources to help evaluate her provision, such as the local authority development worker, feedback from parents and the children themselves. The childminder has begun recording accurately her strengths and has clear targets to work towards future improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of her home to offer children a dedicated playroom, resources, many of which contain positive images of diversity, are organised well, to allow children independence to self select and make their own choices, as well as enjoy the planned activities offered. Inclusive practice is promoted effectively. The childminder knows the children and meets their needs well; every child is recognised and valued for their individuality.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers detailed information from parents regarding their children's routines, abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and medical history so that she can meet their individual needs. However, she has yet to set up systems to obtain information about the progress children have already made before they attend her provision in order to plan future activities using children's initial starting points. The playroom walls are adorned with useful information for parents including the childminder's certificates relating to registration, first aid, healthy eating posters and educational posters. Testimonials from parents are very positive and state, for example, that children have fun and enjoy their time with the childminder relating conversations on experiences each day, the detailed daily diaries are very useful and keep everyone informed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and very content with the childminder. They enjoy exploring the safe and well organised environment and have made a good start to gaining skills they will need in order to secure future learning. She effectively plans This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a range of experiences both inside and outdoors that focus on children's individual interests. For example, children go to local childminding and toddler groups, the aquarium centre to explore fish and the pet animals. Children confidently choose what they want to explore or play with, from the accessible resources, photographs and educational posters. She successfully supports them in becoming independent and active learners as she interacts with them and constantly extends their thinking through conversation. They have an abundance of craft material, sand and dough, free access to battery operated toys that make noises, depict the

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and outcomes for children

alphabet and extend their imagination. Children know what buttons to press to activate them and find the interactive toys, attractive and entertaining. Numbers and letters are introduced through play activities and their routine when appropriate. Children enthusiastically participate in activities, such as, listening to stories in the childminders home and at the weekly library sessions. They develop their love of animals as they become familiar with the family pets and are now comfortable feeding and handling them. Children respond with delight as they are praised by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder through ongoing training and trial and error, is still developing her systems of observation, planning and assessments. Play plans and individual folders full of observations, photographs of children's activities and their artistic efforts show a good array of enjoyable activities that cover all areas of their development. This helps children to feel pride in their achievements and provides an invaluable record of memories for parents to share. Children are developing a broad knowledge and understanding of the world around them as they are involved in a variety of practical experiences. They are developing skills for the future as they develop independence skills, learning how to communicate and form positive relationships.

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and outcomes for children

Children use a clean, homely environment. The dangers of cross-infection are prevented well. Children learn about good hygiene and healthy lifestyles, benefiting from periods outside daily and plenty of physical exercise. The childminder has a clear policy on healthy eating, which includes offering children suitable food to take account of 'five a day' and drinks. The childminder is a very positive role model, which has a successful impact on children's behaviour. 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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