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 EY364768 Inspection date 04/02/2009 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 14 and 12 in Oxton, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to work with three assistants and another childminder. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. When working another childminder they can care for six children between them. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary childcare registers. There are currently seven children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for children between six and eleven years before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has positive relationships with children and ensures that their welfare is effectively promoted. As a result, children are happy and settled in her care. The childminder provides an attractive, welcoming environment. She promotes children's learning appropriately and is developing systems of planning and assessment. Good communication with parents helps to ensure that children's needs are met, but links with other providers of the EYFS have yet to be established. The childminder ensures that all children are fully included and valued as individuals. She has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and has clear plans for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 take steps to ensure a regular two way flow of information with parents and between other providers caring for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage  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

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provision

The childminder makes good use of space and resources to provide an environment in which children can feel secure. Children have access to a broad range of resources at their height. They learn to make choices and become independent as they select their own resources and decide which activity they would like to do next. The inviting playroom has photographs of the children and their creative work on display, helping to develop their sense of security and self esteem. The childminder evaluates her provision and has completed the Ofsted This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 self-evaluation form. She has effectively identified areas for development, such as further developing her knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning in order to further develop planning and assessment. The childminder undertakes training to improve the quality of her provision. For example, since registration she

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provision

has attended a broad range of courses relating to the development of children's health, safety and learning. The childminder has made a number of improvements to the safety of her premises since registration. This has a positive effect on the protection of children's safety and well being.

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provision

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents. Parents are well informed about the provision and their children’s progress through daily talks with the childminder. They also receive an informative welcome pack, which includes copies of the childminder’s polices and procedures. However, the childminder has not established systems to share information with the local school which children in her care attend. The childminder has a good awareness of equal opportunities issues and positively values and includes children. She makes effective use of a broad range of resources and sensitive discussion to develop children's understanding of diversity. The childminder has clear polices and procedures which work effectively to ensure that children's welfare is promoted. She has a good awareness of safety issues and has carried out a risk assessment of the premises and outings, which is regularly reviewed. Children are protected as the childminder

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provision

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.

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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. Babies benefit from the childminder's calm and caring approach as she responds to their need for comfort and reassurance. Children behave well. they respond to the childminder's good use of praise and encouragement. The childminder provides a range of first hand experiences for children, based on their interests. For example, children's interest in animals is followed by trips to the zoo and local farm. Children's learning is developed as they plan their zoo trip beforehand, looking at information books and discussing what they would like to see. Children clearly enjoy their time at the setting. They show confidence as they proudly point to photographs of themselves on their outing to the zoo. The childminder questions children to encourage them to think. For example, young children are asked what age they will be at their next birthday and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

what number comes after two. Children show confidence in selecting their own resources. They are encouraged to make choices as the childminder asks children to decide where they want to go that afternoon. The childminder has a good knowledge of individual children's capabilities. She makes observations of their learning and uses this information appropriately to plan for their next steps. For example, she observes babies' progress towards being able to hold and manipulate toys and provides suitable toys and encouragement to develop this skill. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the six areas of learning. She has recently introduced, and is developing, a system for recording observations and assessments of children's learning. This system is not yet fully effective in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes care to ensure that all children are included in the activities provided. Children learn to develop a positive attitude to diversity as they play with a range of toys and jigsaws reflecting positive images. The childminder makes good use of books reflecting disability and other aspects of diversity to promote children's awareness. Children learn about other cultures through, for example, making lanterns whilst learning about Chinese New Year.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted as children are provided with a varied and nutritious diet, which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating is developed as they visit the local shop to buy fruit and vegetables, which they discuss and try. Children then plant seed to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Children develop physical skills and enjoy fresh air as they make regular use of the outdoor area and local park for physical play. Children also walk part of the journey to school each day. Children develop an awareness of safety as the childminder discusses with them, for example, road safety procedures. 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? 2 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

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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