Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 322192 Inspection date 09/09/2009 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 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 was registered in 1991 and lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their four children in the Wavertree area of Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor is used with the exception of the back room which is for sleeping only. The bathroom is on the first floor and 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.

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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 working with another registered childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children of whom eight may be in the early years age group. There are currently nine children attending of whom eight are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder goes to local schools and toddler groups, is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is highly skilled in meeting children's individual needs. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. She is highly motivated in her capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Her comprehensive self evaluation, pinpoints areas to develop and enhances all aspects of the provision in order to promote the very best outcomes for children. Children are keen to learn, because of the childminder's infectious enthusiasm. As yet the childminder has not developed effective communication with other settings delivering EYFS, to ensure shared thinking in working with children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 work together with other practitioners and parents to support transition between settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes safeguarding children her utmost priority. She attends safeguarding courses on an annual basis in order to keep her knowledge up-to- date. She is fully aware of the indicators of possible abuse or neglect and her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsibility in referring any concerns to the local safeguarding children's board. Children are further protected as the childminder ensures that parents inform her of any accidents their children may have whilst out of her care. She encourages the children to practise evacuating her home on a regular basis, keeping records of the evacuations. This is to enable children to learn to keep themselves safe should an emergency arise. A full and thorough risk assessment has been carried out at the property. This is regularly reviewed coupled with daily checks being made. Children are encouraged to be

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the early years provision

safety conscious, as the childminder points out that there are too many toys on the floor and children might trip over and hurt themselves. They are also warned of the dangers of walking near the swings in the park.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a full and thorough knowledge of EYFS and has undertaken a foundation degree in early years in order to improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare. She is fully committed to continuously improve by attending as many training courses as she can. For example, she has attended training in safeguarding - a one day course, baby signing, food hygiene, paediatric first aid, Core Assessment Framework training, health & safety and self evaluation. She has also attended EYFS training and plans to undertake risk assessment this weekend. The knowledge gained from this has very positive outcomes for children. Space is utilised to its fullest extent both indoors and out to promote learning and well targeted plans to develop the outdoor area are being developed. This is to enable all year round play and a space for babies to play outdoors safely. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider world and children who speak English as

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the early years provision

an additional language are well supported and positively encouraged to use their home language during their play and learning. A selection of resources including books are provided in their home language to capture their interest. The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection relating to safeguarding and documentation.

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the early years provision

An extremely robust system of policies and procedures are in place, underpinning the excellent service. The childminder is exceptionally organised and all paperwork including children's progress records are meticulously kept. The comprehensive self evaluation process includes an action plan for training and development of the service. Parents and children's views are included. They regularly fill out questionnaires giving their views. This ensures outcomes for children are significantly enhanced. Childminder has developed excellent relationships with parents and encourages active contribution from them in their child's learning. They are invited to look at children's planting and growing, make comments in their 'learning journeys' and watch and listen to the chicks as they hatch from the eggs they are incubating.

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the early years provision

Parents are delighted with the service they receive. In letters to the childminder they comment on the good safety and well-being of their children, the genuine affection the childminder has for the children and the varied activities they engage in. They are provided with regular newsletters informing them of activities, planning and training the childminder is undertaking. When they make suggestions these are taken seriously and acted upon. For example, when some children were missing out on day trips due to attending nursery, and meeting was held to discuss the problem. Following this some reflection took place and policies were changed, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enabling parents to choose to send the children if they wished. Although the childminder has developed excellent relationships with local schools and pre schools, as yet communication about EYFS for children who attend both settings is

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of EYFS and how children learn best. Using regular observations, she plans a good range of practical and engaging activities, which encourage children to settle quickly and take a keen interest in their learning. The childminder has collated wonderful records of children's learning journeys during the time they have been in her care. These are illustrated with numerous photographs of children taking part in activities and outings. They also detail the progress they make towards the early learning goals. The childminder plans a rich, varied and imaginative range of activities and outings. Close and supportive relationships have been established as a younger child demonstrates, by snuggling into the childminder whilst sharing a favourite book. Children develop an excellent understanding of life cycles as they watch the signets in the park hatch from eggs and follow their mother as they learn to swim. They go blackberry

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and outcomes for children

picking at a local nature reserve, being reminded of the dangers of picking wild fruit without an adult with them. Children develop their strength and balance as they negotiate stepping stones and paths, digging and planting potatoes. Children are taken out into Liverpool during the Capital of Culture celebrations and take part in a 'Lambanana' hunt. All children are equally included, even the youngest, as the childminder helps to develop their skills in 'baby signing' as a method of communication to alleviate frustrations. The childminder has collated the signs into a book for the setting so all children can learn them.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn about living things as they plant sunflower seeds in the garden and watch as they steadily grow. They also plant and harvest, plums, apples, pears, strawberries, tomatoes and sugar snap peas. They use the outdoor area fully and engage in imaginative role play using the play house. Due to careful planning and regular observation of children the childminder can identify what support is needed and by whom. This ensures that all children make rapid progress. Children with disabilities are very well supported with care taken to ensure the environment is suitable and that they can take part fully. All children have regular access to drinks in their own water bottles and cups, which are replenished as required, encouraging them in forming healthy habits for the future. The healthy home cooked menus are shared with parents to ensure that any dietary requirements are addressed. The childminder has clear, consistent

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and outcomes for children

boundaries and 'house rules' have been compiled by the children. As a result, children's behaviour is exceptional. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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