Clare Louise Andrews

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 EY310422 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Michele Anne Villiers

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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 children aged four and two years in Old Swan, Liverpool, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and takes them to local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and has completed a Quality Assurance scheme through the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good and children progress well in all areas of their development. The close partnership with parents and communication with other provisions that children attend, help to ensure that the needs of all children are met well. Children are safe and secure and informal risk assessments are conducted in order to identify any hazards, with some recorded documentation. The home is very welcoming and the designated play room is child centred and attractively organised to provide an inclusive environment. The childminder demonstrates a keen commitment to maintaining continuous improvement and developing her knowledge and skills. She has started to implement self-evaluation, in order to monitor her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the self-evaluation procedure as the basis of ongoing review and assessment.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a full risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing, and maintain a record of all risk assessments, including those that identify aspects within the home. 24/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder effectively manages her provision. Daily checks and risk assessments are conducted to eliminate potential hazards, and a log is kept of any visitors. There is an outings policy, which includes safety measures. However, the information recorded is limited and does not specify individual outings. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and shares her written policies with the parents. Very good attention is paid to health and hygiene within the home, helping minimise the risk of cross infection.

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provision

The play room is organised well, with toys and resources stored low level, enabling children to independently access them. The childminder demonstrates a keen commitment to continuous improvement. She has successfully completed a quality assurance scheme through the National Childminding Association, and has attended several training sessions and workshops, helping to promote better outcomes for children. She has started to use self-evaluation forms to monitor her provision, although this is in the early stages.

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provision

All recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully met, in order to further safeguard children and promote their development. She has updated her training on child protection; purchased more resources; and uses the toy library for further supporting resources. Parents speak very positively about the care provided and the close partnership helps the childminder to recognise and support each child’s uniqueness and individual needs. Good links have also been forged with local schools and nurseries that children attend in order to help ensure continuity of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children happily explore their environment and receive good support from the childminder who promotes their welfare, learning and development well. She is very attentive to the children’s needs, giving warm cuddles to young children when they wake up, and sitting with children to motivate their play. The designated room is attractively organised with child-size furniture and paintings and posters displayed. The childminder uses planning well and provides challenging activities that are well balanced and linked to the children’s interests and stage of development. Observation is effectively used to track the children’s progress towards the early learning goals. The information is recorded on assessment sheets and ‘Learning Journeys’, and parents contribute their views and comments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children eagerly participate in a variety of activities. They concentrate well, completing puzzles and playing with dolls, and learn to share and take turns in a positive environment. They enjoy looking at books, and ask for stories, settling next to the childminder, who uses good questioning to enhance their language and literacy skills. Children practise early writing skills. For example, they freely draw pictures and mark-make, and explore different textured materials, creating collage pictures using glue and colourful paper. During play, children become aware of number, counting and calculating how many building blocks they have, and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 examine the different shapes to post through 'shape box'. Older children develop mathematical skills and problem solve when playing board games, recognising numerals and learning to systematically count.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outdoor play is incorporated into the daily routine and the children’s health and development is promoted through physical exercise, such as walking to places of interest and visiting the park. Children also benefit from healthy, nutritional food and home made meals. Several books and toys reflect different cultures and religions, such as- 'All kinds of beliefs’, different ethnic dolls, and a Sari for dressing up, this helps children to become aware of diversity in the world in which they live. They enjoy activities relating to local events, such as the ‘Superlambanana trail’ for the Capital of Culture. Whilst on outings children learn about road safety, and this is further reinforced through books and pictures where children identify the possible dangers. 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? 2 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: 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 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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