Childminder in Sefton

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 EY363233 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Jean Evelyn Thomas

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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 two children aged five and eight years in Crosby, Merseyside. The ground floor living room, play room, kitchen and dining area are used for childminding and there is an enclosed outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years. She offers care to children aged five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collect children from the local school and attends the local toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder values the uniqueness of each child and is committed in the provision of an inclusive setting. Consequently, children are happy and confident in her care. The childminder provides a varied range of activities and resources which supports children's learning and development. The planning and assessment of children's individual progress as part of the learning and development requirements are at the early stages of implementation. The partnership with parents contributes to ensuring children's individual needs are met. The childminder evaluates the service, however she has not identified gaps in meeting the all the requirements of the legalisation.

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further?

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

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further?

 involve parents in the observation, assessment and planning process and monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals through use of the content of the areas of Learning and Development  further develop systems to liaise with other providers who are delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children to ensure continuity in their learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete a risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/02/2009  request written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed and enthusiastic about the provision of her childminding service. Since registration she has made improvements to the facilities, such as increasing the range of books and play resources available through her involvement with a local childminder group. The childminder has completed training as required and undertaken additional training including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), food hygiene and safeguarding children. The childminder has identified the need to pursue further training to make improvements in the specific areas which she has evaluated as needing action to improve. She has devised systems to support the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage which are in the early stages of implementation.

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provision

The childminder is dedicated to ensuring that she provides an inclusive service where children and parents feel welcome. Children benefit from the full range of play opportunities as the childminder does not stereotype activities in line with her equal opportunities policy. The childminder values the working partnership she has with parents and other agencies, such as Portage workers, to meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, systems for sharing information and working with others who also provide the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children have not been established to further enhance their learning and development. The childminder encourages a two way flow of communication with parents and shares with them their child's record of observation, assessment and planning, although the childminder is not inviting parents to contribute to the assessment and planning process. Parents are well informed about the

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provision

childminding service. They are given copies of the policies and procedures and further information is on display including the certificate of registration and a general time table of daily activities.

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provision

The childminder’s home is well organised, safe and secure creating an enabling environment to support active learning. Children learn to look after themselves as they practice the evacuation procedure and follow the road safety rules. The childminder maintains most documents as required with the exception of the risk assessments for outings and written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. This is a breach of legal requirements. The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children. She has secure knowledge about signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder creates an environment where children are valued as individuals and feel at ease and confident in the care of the childminder. They benefit from a suitable range of play resources and books being set out at a low level to promote their independence, as they select their own choice of activity. The childminder organises a balance of child-led and adult-led activities both at the home and within the local community. In line with the principles of the EYFS the childminder responds to the interest of the children and values spontaneous situations. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example if the children wish to play outside, she ensures they are appropriately dressed for their well-being and organises outdoor activities, such as water play and painting. The childminder has started to make observations to assess children's individual progress to plan for their next steps in learning and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

development. However, in the planning process she is not referring to the content of the Learning and Development framework to ensure that children progress well towards all the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's gentle and caring manner fosters positive relationships. As a result the children are uninhibited as they move freely around the accessible areas of the setting and pursue purposeful play. The children show increasing levels of concentration as their interest is sustained and they practice skills with resources of their choice. This has a positive impact on their future economic well-being. The children have fun playing with programmable toys. The childminder gives guidance regarding the use of the on and off switch. The children explore the toys and push control buttons to trigger different responses. The children clap their hands with delight at their achievements which are endorsed by the childminder. They independently start the music and repeat this operation several times. The children leave the music playing and dance to the rhythm changing their actions to the beat of the music being creative in their expression of ideas. The children are beginning

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to use their imagination in pretend play as they develop their ideas and make connections with their life experiences. The childminder sits with the children as they pursue play with the home corner resources using a range of play foods and utensils. The childminder's involvement positively extends children's language development as she talks to the children introducing new words and responding to their communication. At times the childminder repeats words so children can hear the correct pronunciation. To support children's early communication skills the childminder is using signing. Young children confidently use signs, gestures, facial expressions and words to engage in conversations and share their interest with the childminder. For example, they show a real pleasure in books and explore the different textures on the pages, they express to the childminder that they have noticed differences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about their community and the natural environment around them on outings to the nearby duck pond, shops, park or library. The promotion of her equal opportunities policy is intrinsic in her practice. The childminder raises children's awareness of the diversity of society through the use of activities and resources which reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. The childminder provides foods and the daily routine which enables children to pursue physical activity to support their understanding of a healthy life style from an early age. The childminder's training in food hygiene helps to ensure that food is appropriately prepared and children's health is protected. The childminder acts as a positive role model to the children to promote children's understanding of acceptable behaviour. She sensitively reminds children to share and take turns. The children display affection towards each other and obviously enjoy each other's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

company. 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? 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

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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