Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315854 Inspection date 11/04/2012 Inspector Sandra Harwood

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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 1995. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband in the Blackrod area of Lancashire. The whole of the downstairs along with the upstairs bathroom and back bedroom are registered for childminding use. There is an enclosed outdoor area at the rear of the property.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care six children under eight with no more than three in the early years age range. She is registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. The childminder works with an assistant. When working with the assistant the number of children is increased with no more than 12 under eight years and not more than six in the early years range. There are currently eight children on roll, of whom six are in the Early Years Foundation Stage; they attend a variety of sessions. Children with English as an additional language and with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in childcare and her assistant holds a National Vocational Qualification at Level 4 in childcare and education. Her hours of work are 6.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday all year.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works in very close partnership with parents,and early years settings,to ensure that children receive excellent continuity of care. The childminder treats all children as individuals according to their needs and stage of development. She is also aware of the need to allow children to develop their play. There is an extensive range of resources tailored to children's interests and learning so that they make excellent progress. The childminder has a strong commitment to continuous improvement and regularly reflects on her practice. She is extremely proactive and undertakes up-to-date training to ensure that her knowledge is current and that she is following best practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to ensure there is time for children to concentrate on activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded because the childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues. She has the appropriate contact details should she have any concerns. All adults who work in the house are suitable to do so and hold current Criminal Records Bureau checks. The home environment is very safe and secure because concise written risk assessments are carried out for all areas within the home, garden and on outings, which ensures children are safe at all times. All the required records and paperwork are in place, extremely well organised and up-to-date to enable continuous access.

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the early years provision

Children thrive due to the exemplary care they receive within the warm, child- friendly environment. An extensive range of freely accessible resources at child height motivates children to make choices and decisions about what they would like to play with. There are clear labels with pictures which successfully promote children's understanding, language development and independence. Children benefit from an exciting range of opportunities to learn about the world around them through the many visits to places of local interest such as, the woodland park and sensory soft play centre. Diversity is valued, recognised and celebrated with a wide range of creative activities, resources and stimulating first hand experiences. For example, children take part in local celebrations.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent partnerships with parents and carers. They are very well informed about all aspects of their children's achievements and development through regular updates, daily diaries and verbal conversations. Parents are extremely happy with the care and learning opportunities their children receive and their praise for her is unanimous. The childminder has established excellent links with other providers to ensure continuity of care for the children. She works with other providers, for example, they work together with the children on world book day and Operation Christmas Child. She also attends meetings with other settings children attend to share her knowledge of individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely focussed on improving and extending her provision. Extensive ongoing self-evaluation includes the views of parents, children and assistant. This ensures there is a high capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She takes every opportunity to update her knowledge through training; she is currently attending a course to help her better support children with additional needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a strong emphasis on supporting the learning of individual children and provides activities and resources to engage them in active play and learning. Children are extremely settled because their individual needs are very well met in a vibrant, welcoming and secure environment. This provides a firm This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 foundation for their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn excellent hygiene skills through the use of effective routines and by example. Children are developing very healthy lifestyles as they have regular, balanced, nutritional meals including a choice of fruit at snack time. Children benefit extremely well from regular fresh air and exercise. They are developing great physical skills in climbing, running because they make very good use of variety of resources. They have great fun using the water tray and painting outside and enthusiastically join in with actions when singing rhymes with the childminder and assistant.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder consistently plans activities around their needs. The childminder also focuses on how she allows play to develop to enable the children to pursue their learning without interruption. She regularly observes what they can do and identifies next steps in their learning. The childminder actively promotes children's knowledge and understanding of the world through set activities, such as, making crossing lollipops signs and talking about who uses them and why. Children are developing a very good understanding of sharing and turn taking as they play with work bench and share the tools. They are learning about similarities and differences as the childminder enthusiastically encourages the children to use sign language to communicate children who are deaf. Children acquire skills in using technology as they access an extensive range of electronic toys. This means that

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and outcomes for children

the children are developing excellent skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses effective strategies to promote children's good behaviour. Lots of animated praise and encouragement is used to build confidence and self- esteem. There is a lot of purposeful discussion about what they are doing and why and they respond positively to the childminder's explanations. Children's language skills are effectively developed through amusing conversations between the childminder, assistant and each other. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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