Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 501175 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Elizabeth Margaret Grocott

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1996 and lives with his wife who is also a registered childminder, and their adult son in the West Derby area of Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder's home is accessible, with the exception of the bathroom on the first floor as there is no lift.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. When the childminder works with his wife he is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children under eight years, of whom six may be in the early years age group. There are currently 15 children attending of whom 10 are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder goes to local schools and toddler groups, and has achieved 'Children come first' which is a recognised quality assurance scheme. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning; they are settled and demonstrate good relationships with the childminder. He has a good understanding of their individual needs and provides activities to challenge them. The childminder strives to include all children equally and is committed to continuous improvement by attending further training and obtaining relevant support. The childminder is aware of his own strengths and weaknesses and is keen to make improvements in order to develop and enhance the service he offers. Although all records are appropriately maintained there are some minor weaknesses in risk assessment.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observation across the six areas of learning supports continuous assessment to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there  develop the record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently updated his knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures. He is confident in his ability to recognise signs of abuse or neglect and the procedures he would follow in making a referral to children's services. All the adults in the home have undergone relevant checks to ensure they are safe to be around children. Clear and comprehensive policies and practices are in place to ensure children’s safety; the policies are shared and discussed with parents. All children are kept safe in the childminders home as a full risk assessment has been carried out. However the assessment has not been signed and dated. The childminder has also made an assessment of the outings to local groups and parks which they regularly make. This further ensures children's safety. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe by being reminded about not climbing on furniture in case they fall. They also practise fire evacuation procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to reflect on his practice by using the Ofsted self evaluation form. This gives him ideas about what action to take to improve the outcomes for children. For example, he has laid hard standing flooring in the garden so children may access the area throughout the year. Wellingtons and waterproof clothing is also provided so children can have fun in the rain. The recommendation made at the last inspection has been addressed resulting in more information for parents about exclusion periods for infectious illnesses. The childminder demonstrates his ability to improve as he attends training courses, such as safeguarding, first aid, food safety, baby sign language and messy play as well as Early Years Foundation Stage training. These courses help to develop knowledge and understanding and in turn improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and others providing Early Years Foundation Stage are well developed. The childminder sends out questionnaires to parent to ascertain how the service is being received and inviting comments as to how it can be improved. He has developed good communication with local nurseries resulting in continuity for children in their learning stages. He receives regular updates from the nursery about what children are learning and uses this information to build on what children know and can do to progress their learning. Parents are very happy with the service they receive, this is demonstrated in their cards and letters of support the childminder receives. They comment on the way the childminder perseveres with learning and the 'first class care' their children get and how well their children are developing in the childminders care. Again, good strategies are in place to encourage the flow of communication so that children receive continuity.

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the early years provision

Regular updates on their progress are shared when children's folders are sent home. Questionnaires invite comments and suggestions and daily verbal exchanges enable partnerships working to benefit the child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Space and resources are organised by the childminder to encourage children's play and independence is promoted. It is not clear from planning that assessments have been used as a way of planning the next steps, but the childminder is attending a training course to support this. Activities are planned in advance taking children's interests into account. The childminder keeps individual folders for each child, which are regularly shared with parents. Children's social skills are developed as they mix with other children at toddler groups and the local Children's Centre. He ensures all children are included, feel valued and are able to enjoy participating in play and activities to their full potential. For example, when children are unsure of the visitor and are turned away from them during the meal time, he rethinks and shows concern that they may feel excluded.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about living things when they visit 'their' allotment to see if the seeds they have planted are starting to grow. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the world when they visit their local community to play in the park and attend toddler groups. The childminder discusses safety issues with them, such as stranger danger, sun safety and playing safely in the garden. Children have a wealth of resources available to them which are well maintained and easily accessible. They play board games developing their cooperation skills; encourage creativity through exploring with gloop, paint and dough and fit pieces into puzzles challenging their problem solving skills. They engage in role play with enthusiasm as they feed their baby dolls and take them for walks in the pram.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles. They have active outdoor play each day either in the childminder's garden or at local groups. They enjoy a healthy snack of banana and raisins with a drink of milk, washing their hands before they eat to promote good hygiene. Appropriate safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending including socket covers, safety gates, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. They develop skills which will promote future learning, such as sharing books, singing number songs and rhymes and learning to do things for themselves to promote independence. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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