Childminder in WirralOfsted inspection, 6 Apr 2009

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 EY318539 Inspection date 06/04/2009 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and over 16 years in Meols, Wirral. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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. She is currently minding four children under five years. She also 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 collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a pet tortoise.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. 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 support children's learning and development in line with the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The partnership with parents contributes to ensuring children's individual needs are met. The childminder evaluates the service and has identified areas for improvement.

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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 planning for individual children's next steps in learning and development to ensure it clearly links to expectations of the frame work to support their progress towards the early learning goals  improve the range of resources which are accessible to the children to develop their understanding about the diversity of society.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and enthusiastic about the provision of a quality service to promote children's welfare, learning and development. The childminder has a flexible approach to the implementation of daily activities and planning. She responds to spontaneous situations considering them valuable and stimulating learning opportunities for children. Safety and security are promoted well and are supported by risk assessments for the setting and places visited on outings. Children learn to keep themselves safe, as they practice the evacuation drill and follow road safety procedures. The childminder understands her role in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding children and is aware of the procedures to follow, should she have concerns about a child, to protect them from harm.

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provision

The childminder values the working partnership she has with parents to meet children's individual needs and to promote continuity in their care and learning. Parents have access to their child's records and are given a daily information sheet about their child's day. The childminder has feedback from parents that activities are continued at home to extend children's learning. Parents are given opportunity to be involved in the evaluation process and in their replies they all express their satisfaction with the provision. The childminder seeks information from other providers and uses this to plan complementary activities, for example discussing activities to promote early writing skills.

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provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring that she provides an inclusive service where all children and parents feel welcome. She promotes equality of opportunity; she does not stereotype play as all children have equal access to the full range of resources. Children learn about different cultural and religious celebrations through planned activities. However there are few resources accessible as an integral part of the children's daily play which promote diversity to help children to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates an ability to implement continuous improvement of her service. For example she has secured an agreement with a local store to be included in their promotion of a healthy life style and from this participation she will secure outdoor play equipment. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed with regard to the stocking of the first aid kit, the positioning of the fire blanket and writing a complaints procedure. Attendance at training events, such as the EYFS, food hygiene and updating her first aid certificate have improved the organisation of the provision and the opportunities offered to children.

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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 her care. Consequently, they independently make choices about their activities by freely accessing resources and determining the direction of their play. The childminder is aware of how to develop children's learning through play and provides them with varied opportunities and resources to promote this. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the EYFS and successfully puts them into practice to help children to make progress. She carries out observations on the children and records assessments in their individual learning journey journals. However the planning of the children's next steps in learning does not clearly link to expectations of the framework to support their progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder involves herself in the children's play to extend their learning. For example in the garden they dig the soil together and examine and talk about the worms and insects they find. The childminder encourages children to develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 own problem solving skills. When building a track for the train she offers guidance and then allows the children space to have a go themselves. The children through trial and error find and position suitable shapes of track to complete the layout to their satisfaction. The children are enthusiastic in play and they display good levels of concentration which contributes to their future economic well-being. Children's creativity is well promoted, for example from an early age they engage in imaginative play. They push the pram between the registered areas of the setting, taking the baby for a walk, making connections with their life experiences and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

expressing their own ideas. The childminder is nurturing children's enjoyment in books by reading to the children and making books accessible for them to freely handle. The children experience daily outdoor activities either at the home or within the local community where they gain knowledge of the world around them and gain enjoyment from physical activity as part of a healthy life style.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Praise and positive role modelling by the childminder contribute to promoting good behaviour. Children happily tidy away their toys learning to make a positive contribution within the setting. The childminder provides nutritional home-cooked foods and healthy snacks. Children are involved in selecting foods in the stores and preparing ingredients to develop their understanding of healthy options 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. 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? 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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