Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421872 Inspection date 23/02/2012 Inspector Sarah Quinn

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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 February 2011. She lives with her husband in Stalybridge, Cheshire. The whole ground floor, along with the first floor bathroom and spare bedroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with an assistant. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and with disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children when working alone or with an assistant at any one time. When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for one child under one year. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to care for two children under one year. There are currently six children on roll of whom four are within the early years age range and two are over five. The childminder takes the children to local parks and attractions, shops and local playgroups. She receives 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 enjoy a secure and warm environment where they are nurtured and cared for. Children's individuality and interests are respected and fostered by the childminder and this ensures they feel valued and fully included. The childminder has a natural rapport with children and she supports their good progress through her experience and knowledge of their different stages of development. Children's welfare is well promoted and is underpinned by good policies and procedures, although records of fire evacuation are not yet maintained. Observation, planning and assessments are being developed. The childminder has good systems in place for monitoring her practice and maintains continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 record details of regular evacuation drills in a fire log book, including any problems encountered and how they were resolved  continue to improve and monitor systems to consistently track children's development and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of her roles and responsibilities with regard safeguarding children and has a secure understanding of how to implement the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures for child protection. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Comprehensive records of risk assessments have been carried out on all areas of the property and a separate risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing. Fire prevention equipment is present and tested frequently, although the fire evacuation is not yet recorded. The childminder works to provide an enabling and inclusive environment and she makes children feel welcome. Her home is well organised with good access to resources that meet the needs of all children. The good range of play equipment is well maintained, suitable for the ages of all the children attending and offers an interesting variety.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents, who are kept well informed about all aspects of their children's achievements and well-being. For example, the childminder gathers relevant information in order to meet children's welfare needs, such as, children's starting points, diet and medical needs. Regular verbal feedback and daily diaries keeps parents up-to-date about their child's daily care. The childminder has established good links with other provisions and works with others to support children with particular needs. This enables consistency in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Effective self-evaluation enables the childminder to identify ways to bring about sustained improvement. For example, the childminder attends training to develop her knowledge and skills and applies her learning to her practice. She has close links with fellow childminders and welcomes advice and guidance from the local authority development worker, which in turn helps to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families so ensuring children get the support they need to make good progress. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion, promoting equality and diversity in a way that is meaningful to the children. The childminder ensures children become aware of the diversity within their own community and the wider world. She demonstrates a strong understanding of how to implement additional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has close and loving relationships with the children and they are clearly settled and confident in her care. She has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she uses well to guide her in assessing children's capabilities. This ensures that she offers each child an enjoyable and challenging experience across all areas of learning. Children benefit from a balanced range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The childminder knows where children are in their development and is starting to plan for their next steps. She is beginning to complete written observations and assessments, which, include photographs and children's own work. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder provides good support for the development of children's language. She actively engages children in conversation and talks to them about what they

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and outcomes for children

are doing while they play. For example the childminder talks to the children about the small world animals and people and joins in with the scenario created by the child. She encourages language use through animal sounds and by playing interactive games like hide and seek. Children learn about the world around them through regular visits and outings to the play park or the local shops.

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and outcomes for children

Interesting activities keep the children motivated and involved and children show high levels of concentration. For example, they sit together and make a train track and play with dough. Independence skills are well promoted as the children move around freely to select items to play with. Children develop skills of coordination and control as they play in the garden or visit the local park and soft play venues to play on larger equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved and respond to the childminder's praise and encouragement. They are very settled and content in the homely environment provided by the childminder. They happily ask her to play with them; she settles down to play with them on the floor helping to name the animals. Children are actively encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay safe. The childminder ensures that children eat plenty of fresh vegetables, as they thoroughly enjoy the home-made spaghetti bolognese. She has plenty of fresh fruit for snack time including drinks, which promote healthy eating and talks to children about having things, like cheese, in moderation. The routines and facilities in place support good hygiene practices with the children. Children show high levels of enjoyment and play contentedly in a safe environment. 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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