Childminder in Wirral

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 306034 Inspection date 17/12/2008 Inspector Elaine Murray

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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 1999 and lives with husband and two children aged seven and four years in West Kirby, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor and one upstairs bedroom of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare Registers. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for children between six and 11 years before and after school. The childminder walks or drives to schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local childminder groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming environment and takes appropriate steps to promote children's welfare. She establishes warm, positive relationships with children and develops learning appropriately. The childminder values and includes children and works appropriately to meet individual children's needs. She establishes positive links with parents and others and shares information to help meet the needs of children in her care. The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision and has a satisfactory understanding of the strengths of her provision, 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 knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning and early learning goals in order to more effectively plan and assess children’s progress make systematic observations and assessments of children's learning and use these to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  regularly review risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact  develop knowledge and understanding of inclusive, anti-discriminatory practice in order to more effectively promote positive attitudes to diversity

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a written record of complaints and their outcome (Safeguarding and welfare) 07/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder organises her time to ensure that children in her care receive an appropriate level of attention and support. Children learn to make choices and become independent as they select their own resources and decide which activity they would like to do next. The childminder has a broad range of written polices and procedures which work appropriately to ensure that children's welfare is promoted. Most required records are in place, although the childminder has not established a complaint record as required by the EYFS.

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provision

The childminder undertakes further training to develop her knowledge and understanding. For example, she has attended recent training relating to the EYFS and food hygiene. The childminder has made satisfactory progress in addressing the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection. She has made improvements to children's safety and developed her knowledge of safeguarding procedures. The childminder has also met a requirement to introduce risk assessment of outings. These measures have a positive effect on children's safety and welfare. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of equal opportunities issues and positively values and includes children. However, she has not taken action to further develop this knowledge as recommended at the previous inspection.

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provision

The childminder has conducted a risk assessment of her premises. However, this is not effectively reviewed to ensure that all hazards to children are identified. Systems for sharing information with parents and other providers about children's progress help to ensure that children's individual needs are appropriately met. The childminder has made a positive start to evaluating her provision . She has completed the Ofsted self evaluation form and demonstrates a sound awareness of some of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder interacts well with children to develop their self-esteem and promotes aspects of learning well. She enthusiastically shares books with children, praising them for their contributions and repeating words to develop children's vocabulary. Children learn to make choices as they select their own resources from the range available at child height tubs. They enjoy their play in the welcoming play room. Babies benefit from the childminder's calm and caring approach as she responds to their need for comfort and reassurance. Children show enjoyment as they take part in construction play and play with toy vehicles. The childminder questions children appropriately to develop learning. For example, she encourages children to count out construction bricks and identify objects in a book. The childminder follows children's interest in learning. For example, she plans activities around water play for children with particular interest in this area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes observations of children's learning and has begun to record these. However, she is not sufficiently familiar with the six areas of learning or the early learning goals. She has not developed a system to make use of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations to inform children's next steps in learning. Although children are provided with a suitable range of activities and outings to enjoy, the activities planned do not always build on what children know and can do, and children's progress in learning is not developed to the full.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well. They respond well to the childminder's enthusiastic approach and genuine praise and encouragement. Children are positively included. Children's good health is promoted as children are provided with a varied diet, which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder's clear polices relating to illness help to ensure that children are protected from the spread of infection. Children develop an awareness of safety as the childminder explains to them why they should not climb on low tables. Children are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to be followed. She has attended recent training in this area to develop her knowledge and understanding. 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

Ofsted received concerns which indicated that the provider was not meeting the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The concerns were in relation to the supervision and safety of children whilst on outings. Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit on 27 October 2008, during which an Inspector discussed the concerns with the provider and examined documentation. As a result of the visit, Ofsted raised an action requiring the provider to complete a risk assessment for outings and to review it once a year or when the need arises. The provider responded to the action in writing and Ofsted is satisfied that the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are now met. The provider remains suitable for 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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