Childminder in Knowsley

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 EY378508 Inspection date 07/01/2009 Inspector Wendy Brooks

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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 mother and step father in Kirby, Merseyside. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or transports children in a car to schools and places of interest. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll, who all attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has made links with the local nursery which minded children attend.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare and development are satisfactorily promoted because the childminder is aware of children's individual needs. The childminder has begun to identify priorities for future development within the provision and takes steps to make these improvements, which has a positive impact on the care provided for children. Partnerships with parents, carers and other settings are in place which assist the childminder in meeting children's needs. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider world and have some understanding of diversity.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  continue to make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles; use these observations and assessments to identify learning priorities to ensure each child's learning needs are met  establish systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision and use these to promote 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 the premises and for each type of outing. The assessment must be reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (welfare requirement 1 - safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 21/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility in this area. Written policies are in place and shared with parents, which detail the appropriate procedures to follow. Up to date contact numbers are easily accessed should there be any child protection concerns.

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provision

The childminder ensures that parents are aware of the routines, activities and procedures that are followed. Written records and policies are shared with parents and confidentiality is ensured. Parents are welcomed into the setting and the childminder discusses children's welfare and development on a regular basis. Children's individual routines are shared and respected, such as sleep patterns and personal preferences. The childminder arranges a settling in period in liaison with parents to ensure children are comfortable and relaxed in her care. The childminder has established links with the local nursery where minded children are due to attend to allow a smooth transition between the settings.

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provision

The childminder has begun to consider areas for development within the provision. However, a self evaluation document has not been completed to allow the childminder to reflect on the improvements made. Training has been arranged to enable the childminder to further develop her knowledge of current childcare initiatives.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with activities and resources which are appropriate for their age and level of development. Children attend playgroups where they can develop their social skills with other young children, and the childminder plans a variety of outings with minded children. For example, children visit the zoo, local swimming pool and indoor play areas on a regular basis. The childminder's home is arranged to allow children free access to a wide selection of toys and resources, and additional equipment is available when required. Children choose to complete jigsaws and floor puzzles before playing a matching game with the childminder. Later children ask to do more painting and explore mixing colours as they enjoy free painting on the easel which is readily set up for their use.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has begun to carry out observations and assessments of the children to gain an understanding of their levels of development. Some photographs of the children involved in a selection of activities have been compiled into individual files, although these are not complete. The childminder has not used these observations to date when planning activities, but discussions demonstrate that the childminder is aware of the next steps children should be making.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe and healthy during their time with the childminder. For example, young children learn to wash their hands and dry them on individual towels after visiting the toilet. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy helping themselves to fresh fruit on a daily basis and are provided with a mix of home made and processed foods at meal times, such as scrambled egg, beans on toast, vegetable soup, mince and mashed potato. The childminder has developed an emergency escape plan which is practised with the children, although this is not done at regular intervals and no record of the drills is maintained to allow amendments to be made as required. Daily checks of the childminder's home are carried out to ensure children are cared for in a safe environment. However, written risk assessments are not in place for the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder's home or any outings which children take part in. This is a requirement in the regulations to ensure that children's safety and welfare are maintained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to develop an understanding of the wider world as the childminder provides a selection of resources which children access during their everyday play. Some cultural and religious festivals are celebrated with the children. Children's economic well-being is developed through a range of counting games and daily activities such as recognising numerals, letters and talking about everyday objects. When children ask about why people go to work, the childminder helps them to understand at the appropriate level about earning money to buy things. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Met

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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

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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

Since registration, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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