Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY261738 Inspection date 14/09/2009 Inspector Glynis Margaret Kite

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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 08456 404040, 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: 08456 404040 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged five years old and seven years old. They live in a house in the Newton-le-Willows area of St Helens. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old at any one time. There are eight children on roll, attending various sessions.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's needs are met well. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure children are safe and secure and that they develop a sense of belonging. The childminder has several written policies and procedures in place and practice reflects the policies on a day to day basis. The childminder demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvement through her commitment to attend further training and by reviewing her policies and procedures as part of a system of self-evaluation. Effective partnerships with parents ensures children are safeguarded and routines are maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment for the premises and review it regularly 28/09/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, in this instance with regard to the policy for taking children swimming  review procedures for collating information from parents with regard to their children's starting points in relation to learning and development 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 completed a self-evaluation of the setting to help her to identify any areas for improvement. She is committed to developing her provision by attending relevant training courses. Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated as required and action has been taken to ensure previous recommendations have been addressed, which has a positive impact on children. Overall the children's welfare is safeguarded effectively, however the childminder omitted to include a risk assessment for the premises and has not obtained sufficient information for her policy relating to taking children swimming. Detailed risk assessments are in place for all of the outings and activities that children are involved with outside of the childminder's home.

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the early years provision

The provision is organised well, in that the childminder uses the space and resources effectively for the benefit of children. In addition, children's personal records and the records and documentation used for the safe management and delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage are readily available, stored securely and maintain confidentiality.

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the early years provision

All parents and children are welcomed into the childminder's home. She has established good working relationships with parents and takes steps to seek their views about the provision. Parents have completed a questionnaire and have included very positive comments regarding how well their children have settled, the extent to which they make progress and the range of activities and resources children have access to. The childminder provides parents with a handbook, which gives details of the policies and procedures, daily routines and details of menus. Daily diaries are exchanged with the parents of babies and younger children, which enables parents to see exactly what their children have done and enables them to make comments if they wish, the diaries also promote continuity of care for the younger children. The childminder is taking steps to establish partnerships with other providers for those children who also receive the Early Years Foundation

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive environment to ensure all children can reach their full potential in groups and on an individual basis. Children benefit from opportunities to receive one to one attention from the childminder. She supports their individual needs well and encourages children to develop independence through a range of activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has accessed training and used the knowledge to review and update her systems for recording observations and planning. As a result, it is clear to see what progress is being made by children and what the next steps in their learning are. The childminder exchanges information with parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about their children, although this information does not necessarily relate to the starting points of children's skills and knowledge. Children benefit from a wide range of activities and resources and are encouraged to make choices and decisions about what they do.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a warm and welcoming environment, which is organised well to meet their varying needs and stages of development. Children settle in quickly because the childminder implements an effective visiting programme with parents. Children develop a sense of belonging to the setting because they are all fully included. They interact well with the childminder and clearly enjoy the time and attention given. Children feel secure and confident in the company of the childminder and seek her out to play. Children initiate conversations and share their play with her, often relating their play to real experiences they have had. Children are happy and sing along to music playing in the background. Children of all ages benefit from a range of activities outside the childminder's home, including swimming.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals and enjoy their learning and play with the childminder. Children learn about the wider world through planned activities and the many places they visit. They also have access to resources which promotes positive images and some which helps them to develop skills for the future. Children engage in chosen activities for sustained periods of time, demonstrating a keen interest in imaginative play. Children make a positive contribution by recognising the needs of others, sharing the resources and taking turns. Children behave well and respond positively to the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. The childminder is proactive in ensuring children are not at risk of infection and she deals effectively with accidents and the administration of medication when necessary. The childminder promotes good standards of hygiene and encourages children to develop their own good standards with regard to personal hygiene, while also supporting them to become more independent. Children benefit from healthy, balanced meals and snacks and are able to access drinks at all times. Children learn about making healthy choices with regard to food as they play, for example, while playing with pretend food they discuss what is healthy and what is not, how to cook food and what each others preferences are. Children have lots of opportunities to play outdoors and to gain physical skills, which adds to their overall well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes effective use of safety equipment within the home to ensure children are and feel safe, for example, she uses safety gates where necessary and removes other potential hazards away from the children. During play, children spontaneously discuss their knowledge and understanding of fire safety issues, they know what they would need to do and where to go to be safe. Children also understand how to be safe while playing because the childminder talks to them about using resources and equipment safely. Younger children hold hands with the childminder while out and about and high visibility jackets are used for older children on journeys to and from school. 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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