Childminder in Warrington

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 EY309080 Inspection date 04/02/2009 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 2005. She lives with her husband and 14 year old son in a terraced house in Orford, Warrington. Childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor. The lounge, dining room and kitchen are used for play and toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. The childminder is available to provide overnight care for children and makes a spare bedroom accessible for this purpose. There is an enclosed yard available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three 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 ten children on roll who attend on a part-time basis and of whom six are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The setting also provides for children aged from five to 11 years and the childminder is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The partnership with parents and the local nursery school is a key strength and contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are met very well. This means that children make good progress, given their age, ability and starting points. Almost all aspects of children’s welfare and learning are effectively promoted. The childminder strives to provide a high quality service by continually training, and by beginning to formalise her self-evaluation process in consultation with parents and children. She is successful in addressing identified areas for improvement demonstrating a good capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 refine the planning of activities in response to systematic observations so that children are helped to continually progress in all areas of development, particularly in their use of ICT, large play equipment and their awareness of healthy eating.

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further?

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

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further?

 record the risk assessments of the premises and of each type of outing conducted with the children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 18/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder strives to continually develop her provision. She attends a wide range of short courses and keeps herself well informed by making links with other providers. Children benefit from the improvements she makes in response to receiving new information, for example, children's awareness of the wider world is broadened because the childminder has recently accessed a new resource centre she has been told about where she can loan multi-cultural materials. Children recently enjoyed Caribbean themed music. Through discussions with parents she is aware that planning for children's learning is working well, although she has rightly assessed that she would benefit from continuing training to refine her understanding of making links to the Early Learning Goals and in ensuring that all areas of learning are routinely provided for.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children. Effective partnerships with parents ensure that the childminder has a very good awareness of each child's background and she is mindful of this when planning activities and routines. Clear communication ensures that information regarding children's unique needs and their developmental progress is routinely shared and therefore they receive a good continuity of care. Open dialogue with parents also ensures that they are involved in children's learning and development. For example, the childminder and parents share observations of what children can do and what current interests are which enables the childminder to extend this through purposeful interactions and providing related resources, although this is not always reflected in her planning. Developing partnerships with other settings ensures that the childminder is aware of other experiences provided for children so that she can

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provision

effectively plan for and provide activities which complement them.

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provision

A wide range of well organised records, policies and procedures are in the main used very effectively to promote positive outcomes for children in both their care and their learning. In practice children are well safeguarded and the childminder has a good awareness of the requirements, although a small number of required procedures, such the premises risk assessment and risk assessments of outings have not been recorded. She has a good understanding of the issues around child protection and of her role in safeguarding children's welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements and is using the guidance in practice. The childminder is committed to providing children with good quality experiences in addition to her nurturing love and care. She understands how children learn and provides many key opportunities for learning during natural interactions. For example, children's personal and social skills are very well developed because the childminder supports the development of their confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore they are encouraged to operate independently in the childminders home. They take off their coat and shoes on entrance and store them on individually labelled shelves. They make choices about their play, freely accessing a broad range of toys and activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and making selections from a 'toy album'. The childminder records her

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

observations of what each child can do and shares information with parents so that they can decide future learning priorities together. For example, when she notices a child's readiness for toilet training, this is done together to optimise the possibilities for success. In turn parents and other professionals share information about what children can do, which the childminder uses to further extend children's learning. For example, one child's focus at nursery is to count more confidently. The childminder introduces more counting opportunities into their play. For example, counting the blocks on the tower they have built and using corresponding number cards to extend the singing of 'five speckled frogs'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures she provides a broad range of opportunities so that children can develop in all areas, although there are weaknesses in the coverage of some aspects to children's learning. She makes good use of outings to provide for children's physical development, and has a good range of resources which are routinely used in drier months of the year, however, opportunities for the use of large equipment at other times is infrequent. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is increased when they go on nature walks and sort conkers, for example, although there are fewer routine opportunities for children to use ICT.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The very clean, well maintained and child-orientated environment is used effectively to support children's care and their learning. Children have a clear sense of belonging in the childminders home. Their sense of security and well-being enables them to make and respond to their own ideas and to make decisions about their play. They access a range of good quality toys stored in their own gazebo in the lounge or wander through to the kitchen where they can access crafts at the table. Children are developing positive behavioural attitudes because of the childminders nurturing approach. She is calm, patient and very positive with the children, and in turn they behave well towards each other. She models the use of good manners consistently and so children are polite when they ask each other for items they want to use.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A healthy lifestyle is suitably promoted. Some healthy snacks are provided and children access drinks from their own cups independently. Menu's are varied and include some daily fruit or vegetables, although confectionary and processed foods are routinely offered in response to children's preferences. Children learn how to stay safe because the childminder is vigilant in her daily practices she promotes safety well. They routinely use the crossing patrol and discuss road safety en-route to school as they walk using a 'buddy system', and they practice the settings emergency evacuation 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? 3

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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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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: 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

 ensure the complaints procedure for Childcare Register provision identifies the requirement to inform the parent who made the complaint of the outcome within 20 days of the date the complaint being made (CR7) 18/02/2009

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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

 ensure the complaints procedure for Childcare Register provision identifies the requirement to inform the parent who made the complaint of the outcome within 20 days of the date the complaint being made (CR7) 18/02/2009 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 the last inspection.

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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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