Childminder in St Helens

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 EY383407 Inspection date 02/06/2009 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 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 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and 10 years, in the Windlehurst area of St Helens, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding purposes in addition to toilet and bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group at different times across each week. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 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 holds an HND in Early Childhood Studies. She 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 makes good use of her training and experience to provide some effective practices which promote children's welfare, although record keeping does not always support this. Systems for planning activities, observing and assessing children's progress are in the early stages and beginning to be used to enhance some good continuous play provision. Partnerships are developing well with some effective communication enabling individual children's needs to be met continuously. The organisation of this provision is in its early stages and the childminder is beginning to reflect on her practices and plan for improvement. This means that she has a satisfactory capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the procedures for requesting parental permission to seek medical treatment if needed so that every child has an agreement in place in case of emergency  improve the implementation of the risk assessment to ensure that all planned safety measures are routinely implemented, and include an assessment of risk for each type of outing undertaken  develop the systems for planning activities to provide for each individual child's identified next steps in consultation with parents  further develop systems for planning the programme of activities to ensure each area of learning is covered in a broad and balanced way, with improvements to opportunities and resources which promote children's personal, social and emotional development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure written parental permission is obtained prior to the administration of each medication (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 24/06/2009

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provision

The childminder holds an early years qualification and uses her years of experience in early years settings to provide some effective practices in promoting children's welfare and their learning. She is beginning to self-evaluate and is able to recognise many of the things she does well. She is beginning to identify areas of her practice which would further improve outcomes for children, although as no quality assurance processes are in place the childminder has overlooked one legal requirement. She is aware of her lack of confidence in using the record keeping systems obtained and knows how to implement the required improvements. She also works with other agencies guide her practice. The childminder is reflective and makes changes that meet the needs of individual children. For example, when children are not enjoying the activity groups she attends with them, she changes her routines. The impact can be seen in children that are well settled, play happily

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provision

A wide range of mostly effective policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents, they contribute to safeguarding children's welfare. The childminder has attended safeguarding training and understands her local procedures. She understands how to keep children safe and records risk assessments for her home and for some outings. However, the planned measures for minimising hazards to children are occasionally overlooked, which presents risks, and although children are safe on well-planned outings the childminder has overlooked obtaining written parental consent for routine events and has not always recorded her risk assessment. Children's health is suitably protected as the childminder has maintained her first aid training. She records accidents appropriately in addition to any administered medicines following the request of parents, however, she has misunderstood her record keeping system and although she has obtained parental

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provision

signatures following administration, she has not obtained prior written permission, which is a specific legal requirement. Additionally, although the childminder has a suitable procedure for requesting written consent to seek medical treatment in emergencies, one child's form could not be located.

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provision

Partnerships are developing. The childminder presents a professional approach and following customer satisfaction questionnaires, she is assured that parents are very happy with the service she provides, and the progress children are making. Daily diaries are used as communication records and support continuity of care. Some information is also provided about children's activities and those planned for them to enable parents to continue their child's learning journey. Parents are not yet, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 however, involved in the assessment process and planning for their child's next steps.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make steady continual progress in the setting because the childminder uses her skills and experience effectively to provide a stimulating environment with a good range of interesting opportunities for learning which are well matched to children's stages of development. The childminder is still developing her understanding of using systems to plan for individual learning, though she spontaneously observes what children can do and is beginning to use this information to plan some next steps for learning. However, planning is not systematic and as a result some aspects of the areas of learning are overlooked. Assessment procedures are satisfactory and include systems for providing a baseline summary and routine updates.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a suitably maintained home which is made welcoming and inviting through galleries of children's artwork and displays of photographs which give them a sense of belonging. A wide range of toys and equipment, much of which is freely accessible, allows children to become independent thinkers as they make choices and follow their own interests. Some suitable strategies are used to help children develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners. They are encouraged to use their 'kind hands' when they squabble over toys and they are distracted skilfully when displaying tantrums. Further opportunities to help develop children's personal, social and emotional skills are not securely planned for and the range of resources to extend this specific area are limited. Children enjoy making challenges using the good selection of toys that promote their physical development. They jump from the mini-trampoline to the mat and vice-versa,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

manoeuvre sit and ride cars around the garden not forgetting their mobile phone, and climb through tunnels and tents. Opportunities to explore and investigate are broad. Children enjoy sensory play such as spaghetti play and gloop. They manipulate dough, enjoy sand and water play in the garden, and they plant and water seeds, watching them grow. Mark making is well promoted and as a result children routinely make marks as they play. They spontaneously use the easel to make chalk pictures, they paint freely at the table, and also use tools to print with. Further mark making opportunities capture children's interest, for example, children use flour shakers to form a film of flour on the patio then copy imitate the childminder as she forms shapes and letters in it. The childminder has a clear focus on extending children's communication, language and literacy skills and in addition to the natural opportunities used to talk about number, shape and size, this helps

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

form some secure foundations for their future learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about being healthy because the childminder reinforces appropriate hygiene practices, adopts safe sun practice and encourages healthy eating. They learn about staying safe when they practice fire drills and are given appropriate explanations when they climb and take risks. Relationships are very positive, Children relate well to their carer and her family and enjoy their time in the setting. 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? 3 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? 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

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