Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY409648 Inspection date 31/01/2012 Inspector Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, eight and nine years in Firgrove, Rochdale. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes and a room on the first floor is used for older children. There is provision for outside play in the back garden and local park. Parents use the back patio doors for the entrance. There is restricted road side parking on the estate. The family has a dog and cat, which live in the house.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group, playgroup and childminding support group at the local Sure Start Centre. The childminder provides care throughout the year all week from 6am to 7pm. Overnight care can be arranged for up to two children under eight years at any one time.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, in addition to the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She can provide care for a maximum four children under eight years. She currently minds six children from the ages of 13 months to nine years. Four children are in the early years age range. Five of the children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is appropriately qualified and is supported by the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, stimulating and inclusive setting in which the children feel safe and secure. Safeguarding protocols and procedures are effective in ensuring that children's safety and well-being takes high priority. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework which means that children's needs and interests are generally well supported. Self-evaluation is currently informal but is beginning to provide a vision for improvement in her work with the children. Capacity for continuous improvement is good. The childminder has formed strong relationships with parents, carers and a range of external agencies to share information which positively contributes to the quality of care that children receive.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop observation and assessment to highlight children's achievements or need for further support and use them to plan a range of activities to meet these needs  develop self-evaluation and continuous quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing review of the provision This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide opportunities for children to develop independence and autonomy through the labelling of resources to support them in the selection of and tidying away of activities.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's safeguarding arrangements are good. They are comprehensive and ensure that the children's safety and well-being is effectively promoted. The childminder is aware of the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns regarding a child in her care. Safeguarding training is regularly updated and provides the childminder with the most up-to-date protocols for child protection. Risk assessment is rigorous and effectively identifies and minimizes risks within and outside the setting.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder only began minding fairly recently and self-evaluation is currently informal. She is aware of some of her strengths and areas for improvement and has a vision for her provision. The childminder asks and receives feedback from parents and the local authority childminding coordinator and is beginning to formalize this. She has recently registered on the local authority quality assurance scheme to support her in the continuous improvement of the provision. The childminder has appropriate qualifications to support her work and is currently in the process of applying for a level 3 childcare qualification to develop her knowledge and skills. She regularly attends continuing professional development sessions, such as, safeguarding, first aid and baby massage.

p.5

the early years provision

Children enjoy attending the childminder's house as she provides fully inclusive care for all children. Equality and diversity within the setting is good. Resources and activities reflect equality and diversity and positive images promote an awareness of the wider world. Resources are well deployed and the childminder makes good use of external facilities to promote children's learning and development. She regularly attends playgroups, childminder stay and playgroups and attends story time at the local library. Links with professionals, such as attendance at the local Sure Start centre, ensure that all children are well supported in their learning and development, subsequently they make good progress.

p.5

the early years provision

Good relationships have been developed with parents and carers. Regular updates through verbal feedback and the use of a daily diary provides parents with information about their child's progress. The two-way flow of information supports effective and regular communication between parents and the childminder. When children start at the setting, the childminder and the parents liaise closely to identify the child's starting point. Parents are very complimentary about the service that the childminder provides. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Overall, children make good progress through the early learning goals because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. The provision of a good range of activities that meet the needs of all children provide a balance between those that are adult-led and those initiated by the children. Although children have free access to all resources, they are not labelled with either pictures or words, inhibiting their self-selection skills. This also affects their ability to independently tidy away as they are unsure where the resources should go. Children enjoy playing with the range of activities on offer. The childminder effectively develops their skills, such as, asking them what colours they are using for their pictures or identifying sea creatures during their underwater game.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Assessment and observation is undertaken appropriately and is beginning to inform planning. Planning is informal and is based on meeting the needs and interests of individual children. Children mainly express an interest in an activity which the childminder then prepares for them. She is currently working with the local authority advisor to develop planning, observation and assessment to ensure that she consistently meets the needs of all children. Learning journals have very recently been introduced as the children have only been with the childminder for a short period of time. The childminder is currently incorporating the observations of children's progress into learning journals and development charts. Children are well supported and are currently making good progress in their learning. They enjoy their time with the childminder who gives them her undivided attention. As they play their underwater game, they sing songs about jellyfish. Whilst children make

p.6

and outcomes for children

marks with the freely accessible writing materials, she questions them about their drawings and mark making, effectively supporting their language skills. She also takes them to the library for story-time which is fostering a love of books in the children. They are able to concentrate for sustained periods of time, for example, as they play in the tent and with the cars and car mat.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have access to a designated playroom that successfully promotes their learning and development. All resources are at child height and is organized effectively. The outdoor area is large and stimulating and children have open access to this area. Children develop good physical skills as they use the outdoor resources, such as wheeled toys. Visits to the park, soft play areas and the local Sure Start centre develop physical skills, such as, climbing and balancing when using the large equipment. Children also develop physical skills as they participate in action songs and rhymes.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children take turns with the resources and share well with others. For example, as children use the writing materials they give each other the coloured pencils that they would like to use. Manners are good and children say please and thank you. At snack-time, children are able to self-select their own snack. As they eat their toast, they count the pieces and identify the shapes as being squares. Lunches and snacks are nutritious and children have constant access to water or sugar free juice to keep them hydrated. Older children are highly independent, they wash This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their hands after toileting and before and after mealtimes. Safeguarding within the setting is good. Children feel and are kept safe, for example, as they walk to playgroups or to the school to collect older children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9