Childminder in St Helens

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 EY374427 Inspection date 17/09/2008 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, five and three in Haydock, which is in the St.Helens area of Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes in addition to the bathroom and master bedroom on the first floor. Access is available via the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play and children attend some local activities and groups with the childminder. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. There are currently three children on roll, two of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The setting also provides for children on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. One child is currently on roll who is within the voluntary register age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides suitably for children in the EYFS. They are happy to come and they enjoy playing together with the good selection of resources available to them. A suitably inclusive environment is provided where all children are successfully included in the range of activities on offer. This helps each of them make steady progress in most areas of learning. The childminder has only recently commenced childminding and is beginning to evaluate her practice and provision and consider areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements for preventing cross infection in relation to nappy changing and handwashing  improve the planning of activities to ensure that all areas of learning are provided for in response to individual developmental needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 23/11/2008 25/11/2008  record the risk assessment of the premises and each type of outing conducted, stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date it was reviewed and any action taken. 17/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

A wide range of well organised policies and procedures are, in the main, beginning to be used effectively to promote positive outcomes for children in both their care and their learning. The completion of safeguarding training along with clearly documented guidance ensures that children are well protected. A safe environment is created where risks have been minimised using an initial hazard checklist. However, the regular assessment of risks on the premises and on outings are not documented as required by the EYFS and risks in relation to cross-infection have not been identified. All adults in contact with children are suitably vetted and a clear complaints procedure is provided for parents.

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provision

The childminder has forged some effective links with other settings and services which she is using to help her keep abreast of developments and enhance her practice. For example, after information sharing with other practitioners she has introduced observation and planning records to help her focus on children's individual learning needs, although because these changes have only happened recently it is too soon to measure their impact. She is beginning to evaluate what works well and what needs improving within her everyday practice and as a result some relevant action has been taken. Children have benefited from the purchase of additional resources. For example, the addition of a highchair now enables the baby to take part in mealtimes. As self-evaluation is largely reflective and there are no systems in place to quality assure the provision this has resulted in a small number of requirements not being fully met. For example, the childminder has

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provision

enrolled on a first aid course, however, it will not be completed within required timescales.

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provision

The childminder is in the early stages of developing partnerships which are beginning to work effectively to meet children's needs. Right at the start and also as a daily handover, clear communication with parents and other professionals ensures that information regarding children's needs and their learning and development is shared. Through discussions, consistent agreements are also made with regard to, for example, behaviour management. This ensures children's continuity of care is maintained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a growing knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements. She uses her skills and experience suitably to meet children's individual needs. She has a clear recognition of each child as an individual and is beginning to chart their progress using dated comments and photographs of what they can do. She instinctively provides to help children take the next natural steps in their learning and is in the early stages of using systems to help her plan and provide more effectively for children's all round development. As the planning of activities to support children's learning are not currently systematic, there are some gaps in the provision to promote some areas of learning linked to individual stages of development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children make steady progress because the childminder extends their experiences

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

through visits and outings and because she provides opportunities for learning in everyday routines. For example, discussions take place about the square or triangular shaped sandwiches children are having for lunch. The clean and well maintained environment is effective in supporting children's independence. They take off their own shoes in the entrance hall, put on their Wellington boots to play in the garden and get out their own paper and crayons to draw with at the garden table. Activities are predominantly led by children's own interests and as a result they play well both indoors and out. They learn to share and take turns on the slide, think creatively about the roles they adopt in the playhouse and dress up using a range of outfits including a Spanish flamenco dress. In response to children's interests a 'pop up' tent is erected in the conservatory and filled with books as an encouragement to 'read' in a quiet place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A safe and healthy lifestyle is suitably promoted through clear routines and an emphasis on fresh air, exercise and eating well. Children recognise and respond to their own need for food and drink. Individually coloured cups are accessible which enables them to drink whenever they are thirsty. The childminder has developed comprehensive procedures for medicines, accidents and illnesses, however, her practices to prevent cross-infection are weak in some areas. For example, children share a towel for hand drying and the childminder does not use protective equipment when nappy changing. Gentle, yet consistent rules and handling means that children mostly behave well. Regular discussions about rules for safety help children learn how to be safe on the walk to school. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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

 complete an appropriate first aid qualification or ensure that there is at least one person present who is working with the children who holds such a qualification (also applies to voluntary childcare register) 25/11/2008  undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment at least once in each calendar year and immediately where the need for an assessment arises. (also applies to voluntary childcare register) 17/10/2008

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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

 see action for compulsory register 25/11/2008  see action for compulsory register 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 registration.

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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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