Nixon, Louise Kate

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436421 Inspection date 16/05/2012 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 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged five, seven and nine years in the Urmston area of Trafford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. This includes the lounge, dining area and kitchen. Children access the first floor for the bathroom and for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have three cats and a hamster as pets.

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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 three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for four children in this age group in part-time places. She also provides care for 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 takes children to and from the local primary school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from Trafford Sure Start.

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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 are happy and clearly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder in this stimulating and inclusive setting. A wide range of activities are provided indoors and outside, which capture and sustain children's interests. Overall, children are provided with opportunities to investigate materials by using their senses as appropriate so they gain an understanding of the world around them. Observation and planning systems are effective in meeting the needs of children and assessments generally monitor and track children's progress. Secure partnerships with parents, carers, and other professionals are established and the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further summative assessments for children so that their progress towards the early learning goals can be clearly tracked and monitored  provide further opportunities for children to investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures and knows the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She knows who to contact should she be concerned about the welfare of a child. Unauthorised persons are unable to gain access to the premises and a visitor record is obtained to ensure children are protected. All areas of the provision, including going on trips to the local park, are risk assessed so children are safeguarded well. The childminder is vigilant and supervises the children well so they are kept safe. All documents and records which are required by legislation are in place and maintained well to ensure the smooth running of the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she uses very well to support all children's learning and development. She is committed to continuous improvement and is keen to go on training about the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She has secure links with the early years team and other childminders in the local area. Such positive working relationships mean that the childminder can enhance her provision to meet the needs of children. Equality and diversity is promoted in the setting as the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Children with additional needs are well catered for because the childminder is alert to children requiring support at an early age. She has systems in place to contact external agencies for advice and support if necessary.

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the early years provision

Good quality resources covering the six areas of learning are well organised and accessible to children. As a result, children are independent learners and able to make their own choices. Positive relationships are firmly embedded with parents and carers. For example, they are encouraged to write comments about learning happening at home in learning journeys. Although there are no children on roll who attend other early years settings, the childminder is committed to ensuring continuity of care in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Clear observations effectively record children's learning and are linked to the six areas of learning. The observations highlight children's next steps in their learning and successfully inform the planning of stimulating activities. However, systems for tracking children's progress are not fully developed. This means that it is unclear whether children are at their appropriate age and stage of development at a particular point of time. Children enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities to suit their interests. Children clearly enjoy their learning and are active, curious learners. For example, they respond to music and rhythm by walking across interactive musical mats and dance and twirl on the spot. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The high quality interactions from the childminder and organised routines help

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and outcomes for children

children to gain a clear sense of belonging to the setting. Children feel safe and secure and are given comforters and cuddles by the childminder when they are upset. Children learn to keep themselves safe by being given gentle reminders about not throwing toys at one another and to be mindful of the feelings of others. Age-appropriate strategies to manage behaviour are effective and children respond to the positive role model provided by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence and self-helps skills are promoted well. For example, children are encouraged to tidy toys away and be independent putting coats on. Opportunities for children to find out about information, communication and technology are demonstrated through children's play with telephones and laptops. All of these experiences mean that children develop positive skills for the future. Children are given opportunities to develop their language skills during play and care routines. For example, during nappy changing times the childminder encourages children to point and say the names of parts of a cuddly toy rabbit. Children use number language as they play and explore, such as counting steps leading up to a slide. Cultural festivals are also celebrated to help raise children's awareness of similarity and difference. Children investigate materials using their senses as appropriate. For instance, they feel the texture of sand with their fingers

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and outcomes for children

and explore gloop. However, further opportunities for children to develop their senses are less developed. This means that chances for them to maximise their learning and knowledge about different materials are not fully explored.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted successfully. For example, through nutritious meals provided by the childminder, brushing teeth after meals and daily exercise in the fresh air. Wide ranging physical activities are encouraged to develop children's fine and gross motor skills. For example, children practise writing messages in cards and squeeze through pop-up tunnels. Children's care needs are well met in this warm and friendly setting. 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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