Childminder in TraffordOfsted inspection, 14 May 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435583 Inspection date 14/05/2012 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 two children aged 14 and eight years old in the Stretford area of Trafford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding together with the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has three pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register 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 and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. There are currently two children attending in this age group. The childminder is able to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. She is supported by the local authority 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settle well in an inclusive and safe environment. They participate in some fun activities and are beginning to make some progress around the six areas of learning. Most policies and procedures are in place and are new. The childminder is establishing suitable partnerships with parents and carers and they are starting to become involved in their children's learning. She understands her strengths, identifies suitable areas for development and is working hard to maintain continuous improvement. However, systems for evaluating the setting are not yet in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning around the individual needs of the children and ensure that they are involved in challenging and stimulating activities  obtain starting points for children and use effectively to plan, develop tracking systems to monitor their progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure children are involved in the fire evacuation procedure and record the event  develop self-evaluation to monitor and review practice. 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 suitable awareness of safeguarding issues and there is a written policy in place. The premises are safe and secure and risk assessments for indoors and outside are in place and reviewed to ensure that risks to children are minimised. Furthermore, the register is kept up-to-date and records children's actual times of arrival and departure. The childminder ask parents to sign for accidents that occur in her care and any medication that she administers. A suitable range of toys and equipment, both indoors and outside, is maintained and generally accessible. Written policies and procedures are in place and these are developing to promote children's health, achievement and enjoyment. The childminder provides an inclusive environment that makes parents and children feel secure and welcome. She is committed to keeping a structured daily routine that promotes children's welfare and meets their needs.

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the early years provision

Daily communication informs parents of their children's activities. Questionnaires and diaries are used to gather parents' views about the setting. These show positive comments on how well their children are settling into their new environment. However, parents are not yet involved in contributing to their children's learning records by providing information about their child's starting points. The childminder is developing links with the local school and has thought of systems to use to enable continuity in children's care and early education. Furthermore, she is working closely with Sure Start and is aware of the developments required to enhance the quality of care and learning she offers. Systems for tracking children's progress are in place, although, these are still developing. However, new to minding, the childminder is committed to getting to know the children and is beginning to put some of her new training and knowledge

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the early years provision

into practice. The childminder has considered how to improve some aspects of what she does and future targets include, new ideas for the outdoor play area and trips out in the community during holiday time. However, she is not yet using self- evaluation effectively to monitor her setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a suitable awareness of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is beginning to plan and observe and is starting to use a new tracking system to monitor children's development. Learning journals are in place, which identify some progress in children's learning as they play. However, because planning is still in the early stages, learning activities are also still developing. Therefore, children are not always sufficiently challenged during some aspects of their play. The childminder talks to parents about their children's development at registration, but she is not using the information about their starting points to best effect. She is also not obtaining enough detail to be able to plan effectively for the next steps in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's differences are recognised; they celebrate festivals and there are toys

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and outcomes for children

are provided, which reflect diversity. A high emphasis is placed on settling children and managing their behaviour. For example, the childminder is working closely with parents to help children mix better and share during their games. Children attend local groups and are learning to socialise in large sessions. They are given praise and follow consistent messages from the childminder, who speaks calmly to them and offers appropriate support. Children have access to some programmable toys, board games and puzzles to encourage discovery and thinking. Children participate in some meaningful role play and creative opportunities. For example, they pretend to make the tea when using the play kitchen, dressing-up and enjoy arts and crafts using glue and paint. Children have access to books and learn new and familiar words. Furthermore, displays around the room are used to help children recognise letters, colours and numbers. They learn to hold a pencil and

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and outcomes for children

make marks on paper. Children have regular access to outdoor play and use a suitable variety of equipment to promote their balancing and climbing skills. For example, they use the slides in the garden and enjoy playing with bats and balls. In addition, there are regular trips to the toddler gym and for musical activity sessions at the local library.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is generally well promoted. The premises, toys and equipment are kept clean. Some discussions take place about the importance of washing hands. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks and menus are in place for parents to view. They have access to drinks at all times to keep them hydrated. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe. They are reminded to be careful when playing outside and learn about road safety. For example, when walking home from school, they learn to cross the busy roads with care. A fire policy is displayed, however, evidence indicates there are no recording of any fire drills taking place. This results in children are not having the opportunity to practise the evacuation procedure. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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