Childminder in Halton

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY293960 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Chris Scully

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, nine, and 11 years, in the Hough Green area of Widnes. The house is within walking distance of parks, shops, the library and the recreation area. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children from 10 months to five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children on local visits to places of interest including adult and toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Her home is a warm, well-resourced and welcoming place for children to enter and be cared for in. Systems for self-evaluation are established thus enabling the childminder to identify and address areas for continued improvement. Records and documentation are in place and contribute to the safe organisation of the provision, the care and learning experiences offered to children. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are successful because good information is shared verbally and in writing, which in turn promotes inclusive care for each child.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 continue to develop the observation systems to ensure they encompass the six areas of learning and use the children's next steps to inform future planning  ensure risk assessments include all outings.

p.3

provision

The childminder is well organised and her childminding arrangements successfully promote children's welfare and learning. Policies and procedures are effectively implemented and shared with parents, thus clearly explaining the procedures to be followed, which promotes consistency of care. Daily routines and play resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are effectively organised, successfully enabling children to help themselves to whatever they wish to play with, for example, babies select light and sound toys. Safety and security are promoted well and are supported by comprehensive risk assessments for the home. However, risk assessments are not in place for each type of outing. Children learn to keep themselves safe, they confidently tell visitors about how to evacuate the childminder's home in an emergency and knowledgeably discuss fire safety. The childminder encourages parents to share

p.3

provision

information about their child, their characters, preferences and interests so she can provide appropriate activities and outings. The childminder builds positive relationships with others, such as schools and nurseries, in order to effectively promote consistency of care for children and to extend their learning, for example, introducing stickers to support her behaviour management strategies. Secure systems are in place for safeguarding children's welfare, the childminder is knowledgeable about the action to take should she have a concern about a child. Thus ensuring children are protected from harm.

p.4

provision

Self-evaluation systems are established, resulting in the childminder identifying areas for improvement, such as planning and observation systems and taking appropriate action to enhance the learning and welfare needs of the children. The childminder demonstrates an ability to implement continuous improvement of her service. As a result, all recommendations from previous visits have been addressed with regards to policies and procedures. Thus contributing to the organisation of the setting and ensuring parents are informed about the type of care their child receives. Attendance at training events, such as the EYFS , achieving a Cache level 3 in childminding award and updating her first aid certificate have improved upon the organisation of the provision and the opportunities offered to children. Children are well behaved and respectful as they follow the childminder's polite role modelling. Good strategies are in place for encouraging children to turn take and

p.4

provision

show concern for each other, as they pass items to younger children. Children have some opportunities to explore the wider world and other cultures, such as looking for places on the globe where they have been on holiday or where extended family live. As a result, children are beginning to develop positive attitudes towards others and develop a sense of community as they discuss events that are special to them.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a wide range of interesting and stimulating play activities and outings each day in order to promote the learning and enjoyment for children of all ages. This is supported by the suitably organised range of toys, resources and books which are freely available to the children, thus fostering their independence and self-esteem. The childminder has a sound understanding of the EYFS and implements this well. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development. Systems for observation and assessment are in place, however, the identified next steps are not consistently used to inform future planning and observations do not identify all six areas of learning. Activities and experiences are planned around children's daily routines and are mainly child-led through their interests on that day. Daily routines are inclusive and effectively support children's learning by including trips to local parks, toddler groups, soft

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play centres and library. In this way children enjoy social contact with other adults and children and learn about their local community.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and are quickly absorbed in self chosen play and learning opportunities. Older children relish the opportunities to build their own castle, talking enthusiastically about their design and how it needs to be modified so it does not fall over. Children use mathematical language well to describe what they can see, such as tall. This is promoted effectively by the use of open-ended questions by the childminder. Songs and everyday conversations about the numbers that members of a football team wear prompt children to think about number and calculating. Children are articulate, confident speakers, they eagerly explain how things work, such as the karaoke machine, and enthusiastically sing a favourite song. Babies enjoy the opportunities to listen and dance to music, thus developing a sense of sound and rhythm. The childminder effectively supports children's learning and language skills by

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

introducing new words such as moat, explaining its meaning and repeating words so that they can hear the correct pronunciation. Children are becoming imaginative and creative thinkers, they regale visitors with stories about how they are gathering their 'cage food' as they live in a cage. Children's imagination if fostered well as the childminder provides various role play scenarios for them and prompts their thinking using open-ended questions. Children become increasingly independent as they attempt to put on their own coats and shoes and take responsibility for personal care needs, such as hand washing.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outings to places such as interactive museums support children's understanding of technology and how things work. Hands on experiences extend the learning experiences offered to children, for example, handling items in the museum enables children to use their senses to describe what they can see and feel. Babies giggle in delight as they repeatedly press buttons on light and sound toys, such as the animal train in order to make it move. Children learn to care for living and growing things as they care for plants and develop an understanding of lifecycles as they discuss the impending arrival of a sibling. Regular opportunities are created for children to test and explore their physical development as they use slides, wheeled resources and balancing equipment with increasing control. A healthy and nutritious diet supports children's physical growth and development. Drinks are provided at regular intervals, which means children are able to keep themselves

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

refreshed, although they are not always able to independently access these. Children have a strong sense of belonging and are very proud of their achievements and enthusiastically tell visitors about the paintings they created earlier. All children are able to take part in all of the activities provided according to their age and abilities, and each individual is made to feel special and their qualities encouraged. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8