Childminder in Liverpool

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 EY312048 Inspection date 06/07/2009 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 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 2003. He lives with his wife and their three children aged two, six and eight years in a suburb of Liverpool, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding, plus an upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed outside play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years. When working with another childminder he may care for a maximum of six children. He also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local schools and takes them to toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children play in a welcoming family environment and progress well in all areas of their development. The childminder is knowledgeable about each child's individual needs and proactive in providing an inclusive environment. The home is safe and secure and informal risk assessments are generally conducted well to help minimise potential hazards. The childminder demonstrates a keen commitment to maintaining continuous improvement and developing his knowledge and skills, although formal self-evaluation has not yet been fully implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve the written risk assessments with more information about each type of outing and specific areas within the home that children access  continue to develop the self evaluation procedure as the basis for ongoing review and assessment  continue to develop systems to monitor the children's progress, based on initial profiles, and use the information to identify their next steps and plan future activities, linked to the early learning goals.

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provision

Regulatory documentation is in place and well organised for the effective management of the provision, and written policies and procedures are shared with parents. Good thought is given to promoting the children's independence and toys This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and resources are displayed on low-level shelving and in floor containers. The childminder regularly conducts risk assessments to ensure health and safety measures are in place. However, written assessments do not always identify individual outings and specific areas within the home that children access.

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provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a competent understanding of child protection issues. Since the last inspection, he has demonstrated a keen commitment to develop his skills in order to benefit the children's welfare, learning and development. He has attended training on new initiatives such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), safeguarding children, talk-first baby sign, and managing children’s behaviour. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been met and parental consent is now in place, and there is a written complaints procedure. Parents are kept well informed about the provision through daily discussion and children’s individual diaries. The childminder evaluates his provision through observation but has not yet implemented a more formalised system in order to clearly identify his strengths and areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very attentive to the children’s needs and provides them with good support in order to promote their learning and development. He enthusiastically motivates the children during play and fosters their creative skills particularly well. For example, children are encouraged to use their imagination, making dens with blankets and material draped over the table and excitedly exploring different resources. During story time, they re-enact the characters and dress up in different costumes. The childminder constantly talks to the children, using good questioning and repetitive language to enhance their communication skills. Children practise their early writing skills, drawing and colouring pictures and learn to write their name and recognise letters of the alphabet. Children also learn about number, counting how many objects during construction play and recognising numerals displayed on puzzles and the dates on the daily calendar.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently explore their environment and form close relationships with the childminder. They learn to share and play well alongside each other and develop very good social skills, sitting around the table at meal times, chatting and learning to use appropriate cutlery. Interesting art and craft activities are provided, enabling children to explore colour and texture. For example, they make model birds using cardboard tubes and coloured tissue paper to represent their feathers, and compare the different species of birds from pictures on large posters.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outside, children learn about plants and their natural environment, and they help to grow fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes. Outdoor play is very much encouraged and children enjoy playing with sand, or on wheeled toys and with play tunnels. Their physical health and well-being is further promoted through the provision of healthy nutritional food, such as homemade vegetable soup, and a choice of fresh fruit, which is freely accessible throughout the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Activities are varied with a good balance of adult-directed and child-led play, plus This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings to places of interest such as the zoo or library. The childminder uses observation to monitor the children’s progress and charts their progress through photographs and some written captions, with links to the areas of learning. However, recorded information is limited, particularly about children’s initial profiles and of the activities planned for their next steps. 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? 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

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