Elliott, Paula Michelle

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420760 Inspection date 07/02/2012 Inspector Emily Wheeldon

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and three years in Urmston, Manchester. The lounge and play room on the ground floor, and bathroom facilities on the first floor, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted 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 collects children from the local primary school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She holds a Nursery Nursing qualification and 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 enjoy spending time with the childminder and make good progress in relation to their starting points. Children are cared for and kept safe in a stimulating and inclusive environment. Overall resources meet the different age groups and activities generally encourage children to think creatively. Partnerships with parents and the local school are a key strength and are significant in making sure that the needs of all children are met, along with any additional support needs. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder and constructive feedback from parents and children ensures priorities for development are identified and acted on. This results in provision that responds to everyone's needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available resources which offer sensory interest to young children  provide children with opportunities to use their skills and explore the concepts and ideas through their own representations rather than an adult's.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She has a detailed safeguarding policy and knows who to contact should she be concerned about a child's welfare. All policies, procedures and child records that are required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are well maintained so children are safeguarded. This ensures a smoothly run and well organised setting. The childminder conducts daily safety checks for the premises indoors and outside and takes action to manage or eliminate any risks. This means all children are kept safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is an experienced early years practitioner and has a level three in childcare. This means that she has very good knowledge about child development and knows how to meet the individual needs of children. Resources are wide ranging and well organised so children can access them independently and make their own choices. Overall resources are age-appropriate and meet the individual needs of children. However, many toys are made of plastic and offer very little in terms of sensory interest, particularly for young children. This means that they are unable to fully develop their senses which are required to help them make sense of the world they live in. Equality and diversity is promoted well within the setting. Children are supported by the use of visual aids, such as alphabet and number lines so they can develop

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the early years provision

their literacy and numeracy skills. The childminder is able to ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear vision and has realistic expectations about securing improvement. For example she would like to purchase more climbing equipment so children can develop their physical skills in a more challenging way. The childminder has addressed previous recommendations promptly and effectively. For example, she has made sure that all of her policies and procedures are up to date.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are positive and parents are provided with good quality information about the early years foundation stage and the learning and development of their children. Views from parents and children are taken into account and enables the childminder to evaluate her practice and make changes if necessary to improve outcomes for children. Links with local schools are strong because the childminder shares information about children's learning and development with them. This ensures effective continuity of care for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children love spending time with their childminder and feel confident in the setting. For example, they immediately help themselves to crayons and draw pictures as soon as they arrive from nursery. Children demonstrate good fine motor control as they make marks. The playroom is bright with lovely displays of children's work and photographs of activities they have enjoyed. Children's work is celebrated and put on display for parents and children who enjoy talking about what they did. For example, children made their own attempts to copy Chinese writing as part of their topic about Chinese New Year, supporting their understanding of different cultures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and beliefs. However, children have fewer opportunities to develop their creativity in art because they colour in worksheets which display the same image for all children. These are ideas that have been derived from an adult and not the child's

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and outcomes for children

Planning is linked to the interests of the children and there is a good balance of adult-directed and child-initiated activities. Informative observations and assessments are used effectively ensuring all children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. Children take on roles of people from society and are happy and engaged in imaginative play when they post letters through the letterbox of the playhouse. All children have a very close relationship with the childminder because she ensures their needs are met. For example, young children try and verbalise their frustrations when they cannot reach for something and seek comfort in the form of a cuddle when tired. Opportunities for children to develop problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are incorporated in activities. For example, children work out how to fit as many crayons as they can in to a container. Electronic toys are available for children to

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and outcomes for children

use to develop their skills in information, communication and technology. This also equips them with very good skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware of the importance of children adopting healthy lifestyles and discusses healthy diets, exercise and takes children on outings to the local park. In addition, the childminder collects children from the local school and they walk back so they are getting fresh air and exercise. As a result, children show a secure understanding about healthy lifestyles. They follow good personal hygiene routines such as washing hands before meal times. Children benefit from nutritious snacks of fruit and vegetables and healthy meals provided by the childminder and children's dietary requirements are fully met. Children are encouraged to be independent and support one another during tidy-up times. Children behave very well and know the boundaries about not climbing on furniture from the childminder. Children know how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know they must stay close to the childminder when out and about.

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and outcomes for children

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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