Childminder in WiganOfsted inspection, 16 Mar 2009

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 EY250546 Inspection date 16/03/2009 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged fourteen and nine years in Leigh, Lancashire, close to shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered 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. She is currently caring for three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged from five to eleven years. Ofsted registers this provision 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 is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder effectively promotes all aspects of the children's welfare and learning and development and consequently, they are happy, safe and secure in her care. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals, because the childminder plans and provides a varied range of interesting activities, which she tailors to meet the developmental needs of each child in her care. However, this is not fully reflected in written plans. The childminder values parents’ contribution and works closely with them to ensure she is well informed about each child in her care. Her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is strong and she has an accurate understanding of her key strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessment for the premises and outings  analyse observations to help plan the next steps in children's leaning and development  provide opportunities for children to find out about and use everyday technology.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children (W1.2) (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 02/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed to her professional development. Since the last inspection, she has attended a wide range of training to develop her knowledge and understanding including, safeguarding, inclusion and dealing with challenging behaviour. She is also developing a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), in particular, the learning and development requirements. As a result, she is gaining a deeper insight into what children can do and is considering their development in all areas of learning. Attention to documentation is generally good. However, the general procedure in place to obtain parental consent to administer medication is insufficient. As a result, prior parental consent is not being obtained prior to administering medication, which is a specific legal requirement. The childminder has recently started to formalise her self-evaluation, but in practice, she routinely assesses the effectiveness of her

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provision

provision, particularly in respect to the activities and experiences she provides for the children.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. As recommended at the last inspection the childminder has increased her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures. She has also attended subsequent training to further update her knowledge, as a result, she is clear about the procedures she would follow to protect a child from possible harm. Children's safety is continually reviewed both within the childminder’s home and whilst on outings; consequently, children can move around freely and play safely, making informed choices about where they spend their time. However, written risk assessments are not fully developed.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong and the childminder is aware of the importance of working in partnership with other provisions. Parents are well informed about all aspects of the childminder's provision both verbally and via written policies and procedures. A parents’ notice area is prominently located in the main play area and they are encouraged to read and contribute to their child's development record. Daily information sheets are informative and in addition to routine information about meals and sleeps, inform parents of their child's progress and experiences with the childminder. Photographs are particularly well used by the childminder to give parents a clear insight into their child's time with her and are attractively displayed so parents can view them both within the setting and in their child's file.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into an intriguing and child centred learning environment. Consequently, all children are eager to explore their surroundings and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. The childminder ensures all children feel included and valued. Their photographs and creative work, including hand and foot prints are displayed in abundance, alongside positive images of diversity. Activities are well planned and good organisation ensures the needs of all children are met. For example, as toddler aged children enjoy making Irish flags for St This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Patrick's day at the table, young babies are positioned alongside them and enjoy exploring the texture of the tissue paper, before examining a selection of household items, including a metal whisk and wooden spoon.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing a sound knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning and monitors the activities she provides to help identify gaps in the provision. She is well informed about each child's progress and is able to accurately identify the next steps in their learning, although this is not always reflected in the written activity plans she devises for each child. Observational assessments are informative and photographs are well used to evidence children's progress, although the next steps identified do not always stem from the observations and the links between the observations and future planning are not always clear.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently select their favourite stories and listen with interest, joining in with familiar sections, imitating the childminder's expressive tones and actions as they indicate how wide the river is and how they can't get over or under it. The childminder routinely raises children's awareness of mathematical language and concepts as they learn colours and shapes, make size comparisons and identify patterns, for example, when walking in the snow, completing puzzles and using construction materials. Children are aware of their own height as the childminder measures them all and records their height alongside their picture.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Routine outings are well utilised to raise children's awareness of the community in which they live and the natural world. Children are becoming increasingly aware of the changing seasons and explore local woods looking for birds. They also participate in organised activities where they benefit from the opportunity to use real tools to build a wooden birdhouse for the childminder’s garden. However, children have fewer opportunities to learn about everyday technology and how to operate simple equipment. They do have excellent opportunities to express themselves using a wide range of creative media and many creative activities provide links to the cultures and beliefs of others. However, these links are not always fully explored by the childminder. 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? 3 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

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by e-mail (CR7.1) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 02/04/2009

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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 compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (CR7.1). 02/04/2009

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