Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340943 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Shazaad Arshad

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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 2006. She lives with her partner in Sharples, Bolton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. The bathroom is located on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 make good progress because the childminder has a clear understanding of how to support their learning and development. Strong partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring the needs of children are met and inclusive care is promoted. There is a good range of resources, although, a limited few are not as independently accessible. The childminder's process of self-evaluation is strong and is used very well to fully identify future areas for development. Wider partnerships are developing, but not fully in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop links where children attend other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to enhance their learning and development opportunities  improve children's independent access to resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of safeguarding procedures and her responsibilities to report any concerns. She holds contact details for the appropriate agencies should she have any concerns about a child's welfare and would not hesitate to contact these should the need arise. A written policy outlines the childminder's responsibility in safeguarding children whilst in her care. Adults living in the home have the required suitability checks and the childminder checks visitors' identities before allowing them entry. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This ensures children are appropriately protected. All required documentation is in place to safeguard children's welfare. Procedures for risk assessment are good and include details of any identified risks whilst on outings. Children play in a safe and homely environment. Documentation is well ordered and includes details of recent

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the early years provision

attempts at practising the fire evacuation procedures.

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the early years provision

The resources are of good quality and most of are accessible to children. However, role play clothes are not as easily accessible and therefore, restrict independent choice. She demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion and is committed to treating all children equally. Children's individual needs are well considered and she understands and values their unique personalities. She offers children experiences in the home and wider community. For example, the children attend play sessions at a local children's centre. There are good resources and extensive displays around positive images of diversity and disabilities. Children also explore festivals in a meaningful way and this helps them to develop an understanding of different cultures and celebrations. For example, children participate in celebrations around the Chinese New Year and the festivals for Diwali.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from good partnerships with parents. The childminder gathers a range of useful information from parents at the initial meeting and she has effective procedures in place to help children settle into their new environment. She uses a daily diary and has daily conversations with parents, which help to keep them well-informed about their child's care routines and achievements. Parents also comment very positively on the care provided in questionnaires and letters. Partnerships with the two local schools are in place and developing. However, these links are not sufficiently robust and impact on the consistency of children's learning objectives.

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the early years provision

The use of self-evaluation is effective and this impacts on continually improving outcomes for children. Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed the actions and recommendations raised around extending role play resources, risk assessment arrangements and protecting electrical sockets. This has ensured that there is an extension of resources and the overall safety of children is given the highest regard. The childminder is also committed to professional development and has completed numerous courses in partnership with the local authority. The training has improved her knowledge base and subsequently, the learning outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress within the six areas of learning and detailed records are supported by observations. The childminder plans around topics and children's interest. Photographs display children's achievements and support observations. Activities are well planned considering children's interests and abilities. The childminder's interaction and engagement with children is particularly meaningful and sensitive to their individual needs, so that their learning and development is effectively promoted. Children enjoy and achieve well as they confidently and enthusiastically participate in play experiences of their choice and activities planned This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 by the childminder. She is skilful in knowing when to be actively involved and when to allow children to follow their own initiative, explore their surroundings and play for extended periods without interruption. Children learn spontaneously through

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and outcomes for children

the close interaction they have with the childminder. There is lots of conversation between the childminder and the children. For example, during lunch they engage in discussions around nature and children demonstrate their understanding of how the sun and rain make their planted daffodils grow. She extends their thinking around nature by directing children to the activity table set up around gardening and the tools used for planting. This endorses children's thinking skills and fosters their curiosity in the outdoor environment and valuing nature. She consistently introduces new words to aid the promotion of vocabulary and developing language skills in younger children. The childminder clearly says words to the children, focusing on objects familiar to them and encouraging them to repeat them back to her.

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and outcomes for children

Children readily access their choice of play from a good variety of resources in the dedicated playroom. They enjoy using musical items and creating different sounds with the equipment. Children's creativity is inspired as they explore painting through investigating colours. Colours are explored further as the childminder looks at books about them and discusses them within the different floor activity games. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development to challenge children's learning as they play, for example, when children take part in the activity games she questions them about colours, size and quantities. During the many outings, children have lots of time to explore for themselves and enjoy the extensive range of outdoor games in the garden. The childminder makes good use of outdoor play areas to develop children's physical skills. She encourages children to develop their hand-eye coordination as they participate in creative colouring games. Young

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and outcomes for children

children are able to move round with ease and with growing confidence. The childminder joins in with the children during their chosen activities, for example, they sit together to sings songs and practise the rhymes. Younger children are learning the songs and begin to join in with the actions, as they demonstrate movement of their bodies to the music.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers good opportunities for children to learn how to look after their own health, safety and well-being. Children eat meals to incorporate fruit and vegetables. The menu plan ensures children have a good balance of foods. They also take part in planting and tasting their own vegetables. This helps to reinforce their thinking on eating healthily and promotes their understanding of where the food comes from. The home is clean and well maintained and hygienic arrangements ensure all risks are minimised. Children follow good practises around hygiene and they demonstrate their understanding of it by explaining why they wash their hands. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they play safely with toys, help to tidy them away and regularly practise the emergency evacuation drill. The childminder encourages a positive contribution by offering children opportunities to join in with tidying-up time, preparing the table for lunch and

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and outcomes for children

showing delight at children's achievements. Children behave well in the childminder's home because she gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries, which children respond to positively. 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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