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 962028 Inspection date 09/07/2009 Inspector Chris Scully

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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 2001. She lives with her children aged five, 10 and 12 years old in a suburb of Liverpool, close to local schools, parks and transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered 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 is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for four children over five years to 11 years old. The childminder walks or transports children in a car to take and collect them from school, regularly attends local toddler groups, and other places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and The Liverpool Childminding Network Cluster. She receives support from the local authority

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Her home is a warm, welcoming and generally safe place for children to enter and be cared for in. Systems for self-evaluation are not yet established. Records and documentation are in place and contribute well to the organisation of the provision, care and learning experiences offered to children, although there are some omissions within the observation and assessment systems. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are successful because information is shared verbally and in writing, which in turn promotes inclusive care for each child.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation systems to ensure they encompass the six areas of learning and use the children's next steps to inform future planning so that children achieved as much as possible in relation to their starting points  develop the systems for self-evaluation in order to identify the strengths of the provision and the priorities for future devlopment that will continue to improve upon the quality of the provision.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure risk assessments identify all aspects of the home and outings that need to be checked on a regular basis, maintain a record of these checks, 23/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which detail when they were carried out, by whom and any action taken to minimise identified risks (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register).

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provision

The childminder is well organised and her childminding arrangements successfully promote children's welfare and learning. Policies and procedures are effectively implemented and shared with parents, thus clearly explaining the procedures to be followed, which promotes consistency of care. Discussions with the childminder clearly demonstrate that children's safety and security are promoted well. However, records of risk assessments are not in place for the home or each type of outing. Daily routines and play resources are appropriately organised, successfully enabling children to help themselves to whatever they wish to play with, for example train tracks. Children learn to keep themselves safe, through discussions with the childminder about road safety, using the internet safely and by regularly practicing fire evacuation procedures. Thus children learn what to do in an emergency. The childminder encourages parents to share information about their

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provision

child, their characters, preferences and interests so she can provide appropriate activities and outings. The childminder builds positive relationships with others, such as schools and nurseries, in order to effectively promote consistency of care for children.

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provision

Secure systems are in place for safeguarding children's welfare, the childminder is knowledgeable about the action to take should she have a concern about a child. Thus ensuring children are protected from harm. Self-evaluation systems are not yet in place, although the childminder has identified the need to enhance her observation and assessment systems, and has recently created learning journey files for younger children to begin to address this. The childminder demonstrates an ability to implement continuous improvement of her service. As a result, all recommendations from previous visits have been addressed with regards to the sick child policy and low-level glass. Hence children's safety and well-being has been enhanced. Attendance at training events, such as, the EYFS, safeguarding and food hygiene have improved upon the organisation of the provision and the opportunities offered to children. The childminder uses her skills with British sign

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provision

language to introduce new ways of communication to children. Consequently, children learn about and begin to develop positive attitudes to others. Good strategies are in place for encouraging children to turn take and show concern for each other. Children have some opportunities to explore the wider world and other cultures as they explore a variety of festivals throughout the year. They develop a sense of their own community as they talk to the childminder about their families, and celebrate birthday's and other special events with their friends. 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

The childminder provides a wide range of interesting play activities and outings each day in order to promote the learning and enjoyment for children of all ages. This is supported by the suitably organised range of toys, resources and books which are freely available to the children, thus fostering their independence and self-esteem. The childminder has a sound understanding of the EYFS and implements this well. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development. Formal systems for observation and assessment are evolving with the introduction of children's learning journey files. Activities and experiences are planned around children's daily routines and are mainly child-led through their interests on that day. Daily routines are inclusive and effectively support children's learning, by including trips to local parks for snail hunts and a variety of toddler groups. In this way children enjoy social contact with other

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

adults and children and learn about their local community and environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and are quickly absorbed in self chosen play and learning opportunities. Children are eager to discuss the various trains and how they are building the track for them. Their language is effectively supported as the childminder discuss the various elements of track to them, introducing new words as they talk, such as bridges. The childminder build upon children interest as she links number identification to trains in a child's favourite book. Children identify the number three in a book and say, 'look 3 like….' Children use mathematical language well to describe what they can see, such as tall and describe themselves as being in the middle of the train track. This is promoted effectively by the use of open-ended questions by the childminder. Songs and everyday conversations about the numbers provide children with opportunities to explore numbers and their meaning. Everyday acts

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effectively support children counting, matching and sorting skills, for example, the use of written and pictorial shopping lists enable all children to assist in the gathering of items. Children are encourage to help identify how much money is needed to pay for their items and to pass this to the shop assistant.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to care for the environment as they make food for birds, and hang this in the garden and by going on bug hunts in local parks. They show concern for pets and are aware that they need to wash their hands after handling them. They confidently recognise a range of fruit and vegetables from posters and eagerly call out their names, for example, peppers, raspberries and sweet corn. Children are eager to explain that they like to eat fruit and vegetables. Regular opportunities are created for children to assist in the preparation of meals and snacks, such as wraps. Hence children learn about the need for good hygiene routines, safety and food preparation is a safe environment. Children are imaginative and creative thinkers on a recent trip to the park they made pretend campfires and used sticks, flowers and leaves to represent their kebabs. The childminder effectively extended their learning at home as she encouraged them to make fruit kebabs. Regular

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities are created for children to test and explore their physical development as they use slides, wheeled resources and balancing equipment with increasing control in parks and toddler groups. A healthy and nutritious diet supports children's physical growth and development. Drinks are provided at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regular intervals, which means children are able to keep themselves refreshed. Children have a strong sense of belonging and are very proud of their achievements and enthusiastically tell visitors about the paintings they created. All children are able to take part in all of the activities provided according to their age and abilities, and each individual is made to feel special and their qualities encouraged. 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? 2

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5) 23/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5) 23/07/2009

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