Childminder in Wirral

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 EY332388 Inspection date 02/06/2009 Inspector Elaine Murray

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 has been registered since 2006. The childminder lives with her husband and three year old daughter in Thingwall, Wirral. The childminder works with another registered childminder. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole of the ground floor, upstairs bathroom and two main bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the property.

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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 when working alone, and nine children under eight years when working with her co-minder. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently eight children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for children between six and 11 years before and after school. The childminder runs the local parent/toddler group. The family has two pet cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder and her co- childminder effectively promote most aspects of children's welfare and learning in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder ensures that all children are fully included and valued as individuals. The childminder and her co-minder's self- evaluation accurately identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They have clear plans for improvement, such as further developing methods of planning and assessment of children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop use of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child  develop the record of risk assessment to include all identified hazards in the outdoor area.

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provision

The childminder works well with her co-minder to share roles to meet the needs of children in their care. Responsibilities are effectively shared according to the childminder's strengths. For example, the childminder takes main responsibility for maintaining documentation. The childminder's co-minder is mainly responsible for the provision of meals for children. Space and resources are organised effectively. The childminder and her co-minder reflect on their practice to identify key strengths and areas for improvement. Since the last inspection the childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 made improvements to the emergency evacuation procedure, and has attended a range of courses to improve her provision. These measures have a positive impact on children's welfare and learning. The childminder is committed to ensuring that all children are effectively valued and included. She works well with parents to

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provision

meet the needs of children in her care. The childminder has established systems to ensure an effective partnership with parents. Parents are well informed about children's progress through daily talks and a diary sheet giving information about children's experiences at the setting. This helps to ensure that children's individual needs are met. Parents write that they are very happy with the quality of care and learning provided and value the childminder's contribution to their child's development. The childminder and her co-minder have also established systems for sharing information with other providers of the EYFS, where children attend more than one setting. For example, they exchange information with the staff of the pre-schools the children in their care attend.

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provision

The childminder's clear written policies and procedures work effectively to ensure that children's health, well-being and safety are promoted. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues and has carried out a risk assessment of the premises. However, the record of risk assessment does not include all identified hazards, such as gaps in the fence in the outdoor area. Children are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to be followed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder interacts positively with children to develop their self-esteem and promotes learning well. She provides a range of interesting, first-hand experiences which stimulate children's curiosity. For example, children enjoy using brushes and water to 'paint' on the brick wall and fence in the outdoor area. The childminder questions children well to develop their learning, asking children to think whether the water will dry quicker on wood than on brick. Children are motivated and enjoy the activities provided. They show a keen interest in sharing a book about life cycles with the childminder. They ask questions and respond well to the childminder's explanations about the differences between frogs and toads. Children are able to access toys and resources from the broad range available at their height, helping to promote their independence. Children learn to enjoy fresh air and exercise through regular use of the outdoor area and trips to the local park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of children's capabilities and plans for their next steps. She has begun to make written observations of children’s learning and uses them to inform planning. For example, an observation that a child was beginning to recognise colours was followed with activities to reinforce and develop this learning. However, this system is not yet fully effective in identifying learning priorities and ensuring that relevant and motivating experiences are planned for each child in the six areas of learning. Differences in children's backgrounds and families are positively acknowledged. Children learn about different cultures through use of a broad range of resources reflecting diversity and activities relating to different festivals. For example, they take part in activities, such as food tasting, dressing up and stories. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are polite and behave well. They respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement. Children benefit from a varied menu which is prepared and cooked from scratch and includes fresh vegetables. Children's health is promoted as they have fresh fruit daily and regular access to drinking water. Children show a good awareness of hygienic procedures as they wash hands at appropriate times and clean their teeth after lunch. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure. The childminder promotes this awareness as she discusses with them, for example, the importance of road safety. 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

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