Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428999 Inspection date 16/01/2012 Inspector Kay Armstrong

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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 in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester with her husband and one child aged five years. The family have a pet dog. The whole of the ground floor which includes an open plan lounge and dining room, kitchen and conservatory is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. The children are also able to access the rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is also able to care for children age over eight. Currently, there is only one child on roll who is in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she gains support from the local authority.

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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 happy, settled and secure in the childminder's home and care. Most areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework are implemented effectively and children's safety is generally well promoted. Positive relationships with parents and carers have been established; ensuring children's unique needs are recognised and consistently met. The childminder has a secure understanding of her strengths and areas for development. However, the system used to monitor and evaluate the provision is not yet fully developed. The childminder is enthusiastic and demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvements to benefit children's care, welfare and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all potential hazards are minimised, in particular, the cords to the blinds and the hearth in the lounge  develop further the system used to monitor and evaluate the provision  provide opportunities for children to explore a range of natural materials and treasure baskets.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected as the childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care. She ensures all aspects of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding are successfully promoted and followed. Risk assessments are in place and checks of the play areas on a daily basis ensure children play in a generally safe environment. However, the hearth in the lounge and some of the cords to the blinds could pose a potential hazard to children. All required vetting procedures have been completed for adults over the age of 16 living in the home. The childminder has attended first aid training which enables her to care for children if they have an accident or become ill. All the required records and documentation is maintained to a high standard, well organised and stored effectively to ensure confidentiality.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. Children are well supported and develop a positive sense of identity. Diversity is valued and respected. The childminder actively promotes equality, which ensures that all children and families feel included and safe. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. The childminder takes time to gather information relating to their individual needs and preferences before they start. As a result, children settle well. Informal discussions and a daily journal further enhance the positive relationships with parents and carers. This effective communication helps to create strong links and ensures continuity of care, successfully promoting children's learning and progress. Parents give very positive feedback about the service that the childminder provides. For example, they appreciate the support and care their child receives whilst in the

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the early years provision

childminder's care. The childminder is fully aware of how to work with other settings that children may attend or other professionals when necessary. She displays Ofsted posters, her registration certificate and information about the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shares comprehensive policies and procedures with parents and carers. This ensures that they are fully informed about her service.

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the early years provision

Children are provided with a wide range of resources, activities and equipment that are age-appropriate, safe and well maintained. Resources are very easily accessible which successfully supports children's independence. They are stored at low-level so that all children can make choices in their play and learning. The childminder has a system in place to monitor and evaluate her provision. However, although this does identify some area for improvement it has yet to be fully developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and relaxed as they are cared for in a warm, child-friendly environment. Their interests, achievements and progress is documented in individual folders by means of written observations of their learning which are well supported by photographs. The next steps in their individual progress are identified and clearly linked to the early learning goals. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn through play. She provides a varied range of activities which capture children's imaginations and offer appropriate challenges to extend their learning. As a result, they make good progress in all areas of their development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from strong attachments they have formed with the childminder. Their personal, social and emotional development is particularly well fostered. As a

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and outcomes for children

result, they feel safe and secure. They smile happily as they interact with the childminder and approach new experiences with enthusiasm. The childminder knows the children very well and operates flexibly to ensure they rest and sleep in accordance with their individual needs. She spends her time playing and interacting with them. She actively supports and encourages communication and language development. Good eye contact is maintained and facial expressions are used to support the spoken word. She chatters to them and listens intently to their babbling responding to them in a positive manner. Consequently, they feel valued and respected. This also reinforces their self-esteem and confidence. Literacy skills are successfully promoted with the youngest children as they snuggle into the childminder to look at favourite books. They have good access to resources that help to develop skills for the future and support their interest in technology. For

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and outcomes for children

example, they can access a range of replica electrical equipment for role play and interactive electronic games. Babies enjoy exploring resources which are interactive and have buttons which they can push and those which make noises and have pulsating lights. They smile and wave their arms excitedly as they open flaps in an activity game to discover a hidden rice cake. However, babies have few opportunities to explore natural materials or treasure baskets. Children are introduced to number and mathematical concepts through everyday activities, such as, puzzles, rhymes and water play. Simple problem solving skills are effectively supported as they explore resources, such as, posting boxes, which also help to refine their eye to hand coordination and dexterity. A wide range of resources are available for children to express their creativity, which include art materials. Babies gain great pleasure from making music using a wooden xylophone. Children learn

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and outcomes for children

about the wider world as they attend groups within their community; here they are able to socialise and explore different activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. The children are effectively supported to develop good personal hygiene routines from an early age. For example, the childminder washes their hands before eating and after nappy changes. Children are well nourished and are developing healthy eating habits because the childminder offers a varied range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They are able to keep themselves hydrated as they have access to dinks at all times. Meal times are utilised as a valuable learning experience as the childminder encourages self help skills promoting early independence. 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 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 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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