Childminder in Liverpool

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY229616 Inspection date 30/10/2008 Inspector Michele Anne Villiers

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 2002. He lives with his wife, two adult children and a seven year old in a suburb of Liverpool. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus two bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time under the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to enable him to care for older children. The childminder joint childminds with his wife. There are currently a total of six children on roll, aged from one year to 10 years, of these, five are in the early years age range. The childminder walks children to local schools and toddler groups. He is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make generally good progress in their learning and development and are well cared for in a homely, family environment, with access to an excellently resourced play room. The childminder works closely with parents in order to have a good understanding of each child's needs and promote inclusion. Risk assessments are, on the whole, used effectively to address any possible dangers for the children, although they do not include separate outings. The childminder endeavours to make continuous improvements but recognises that he has not yet developed a comprehensive method of assessing the children’s progress or a system of self evaluation to identify and address weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop and use the information from observations and assessments, linked to the children's starting points, to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  continue to develop systems of self evaluation in order to identify strengths and weaknesses and address areas for improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing and review before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 17/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well organised, with all required documentation in place together with a number of supplementary policies and procedures, contributing to the effective management of the provision. Written risk assessments are used to identify any potential dangers to children in the home and on outings, but a separate document is not devised for each alternative outing. The childminder has met the recommendations from the previous inspection: the outside drains are now safe and parental permission is obtained for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, helping to protect children. He has a current first aid qualification and has attended training sessions on food hygiene, developing childminding practice and safeguarding children, all of which have a positive outcome for children.

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provision

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and appropriate health and hygiene procedures are in place, helping to safeguard children. The home is well maintained and the play areas are creatively organised, so that children can independently access a wide range of suitable toys and resources. The childminder provides a balanced routine that includes adult-led and child-led activities, enabling the children to be both challenged and follow their own interests. Children are also taken to toddler groups, and links are being made with nurseries attended by the children, to promote continuity of care. The partnership with parents is good, with the childminder using acquired information to make sure children’s needs are met. Letters from parents evidence their happiness with the provision, containing comments such as ‘Wonderful family atmosphere’.

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provision

The childminder uses individual booklets to record children’s progress but the information is not fully utilised to plan future activities, taking into account the children’s starting points. He is keen to promote improvement of the provision as a whole and is aware of some of the weaknesses but his system of self-evaluation, and therefore its impact on the children, is still being developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play, helping them to progress well towards the early learning goals. Children are happy and respond well to the childminder, forming close and caring relationships. They become independent learners, and babies and young children receive good support, learning to crawl and walk, with gentle encouragement. Children confidently help themselves to toys and resources from the extensive range made available to them, and they develop a strong sense of belonging as they display their art work and photographs of themselves playing. Child-size furniture enables all children to sit in comfort together. Children are well behaved, respond well when asked to tidy toys away and learn to use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ at appropriate times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses good questioning to reinforce the children's learning. Young children demonstrate concentration as they build using interlocking blocks. The childminder praises their achievements and incorporates number, counting how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 many blocks, and discusses colour and shape. He also uses phrases such as ‘bigger than’ or ‘smaller than’ to encourage children to make comparisons. Older children use board games and number puzzles to help support their recognition of number, calculation and problem solving. The childminder encourages communication and language skills and enters into conversation with young children using toy telephones. Children use books for enjoyment and reference. They play with alphabet board games, helping them to recognise letters and words, and are beginning to mark-make. Their literacy skills are therefore being fostered. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

also enjoy art and craft activities and display the results of their creativity on the walls. They play with a toy cash register and a compact disc player, helping them to become familiar and confident with everyday technology.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outdoor play is an integral part of the daily routine and children enjoy using wheeled toys and climbing apparatus, improving their balance and coordination and providing safe challenges. They learn about the changing seasons and observe plants and wildlife. The children’s sense of community is encouraged with visits such as following the Lambanana trail for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year. There are a number of toys and books that help children learn about diversity and develop an understanding of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy nutritious food at lunchtime and snacks include fresh fruit such as mango, raspberries and blackberries. The childminder consistently follows hygiene procedures, reminding children to wash their hands, and he takes care to avoid cross infection when changing nappies. All necessary safety equipment is in place and, on outings, children are taught about traffic awareness and dangers. The childminder practises fire evacuation procedures with the children. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 17/11/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 17/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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