Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY230741 Inspection date 03/09/2009 Inspector Jean Evelyn Thomas

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her two children aged over 16 years in Mossley Hill, a suburb of Liverpool, close to shops, parks, school and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders home is used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the first floor level. The family have no pets and it is a non smoking environment.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to local parks, libraries and other places of interest on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association 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 inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes aspects of children's welfare and development within a welcoming and inclusive setting. The partnership with parents contributes to meeting children's welfare needs. However, the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage is in its infancy and consequently systems to support individual children's progress towards the early learning goals are not secure. The childminder's self-evaluation systems have not identified the breaches of a number of the legal requirements which impacts on children's safety and in meeting their needs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 maintain a daily record of children's hours of attendance and ensure required documents are available for inspection (Documentation) 17/09/2009

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further?

 ensure the required record of information is in place for each child and available for inspection (Documentation) 17/09/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 17/09/2009

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further?

 ensure a current paediatric first aid certificate is maintained (Suitable people) 17/09/2009

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or an incident (Documentation) 17/09/2009

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further?

 ensure Ofsted is notified of any changes to the persons aged 16 years or over living on the childminding premises (Suitable people). 17/09/2009

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the arrangements for observations and assessments so they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences, across the six areas of learning, that are tailored to meet children's individual needs  develop further self-evaluation systems to improve outcomes for children  include in the record of risk assessment any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues to carry out procedures in response to signs and symptoms to protect children from harm. However, she has not met some of the legal requirements which impacts on ensuring the safety of the children. The childminder has not notified Ofsted of the changes to persons living in the household over the age of 16 years. There are omissions in the maintenance of the legal documents and some records are not available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder considers the strengths of the provision and areas for improvement. For example, alterations to the rear outdoor facility are in progress to enable this area to be included in the registration to further enhance children's daily outdoor learning and play opportunities. She has met all the recommendations from the last inspection as part of her self-evaluation to improve outcomes for children. For example, as recommended the childminder has improved the range of resources available which help raise children's awareness and understanding about the diversity of society. To help achieve this the childminder makes effective use of the lending toy and book libraries.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the training the childminder has attended includes food hygiene and Early Year Foundation Stage (EYFS). However, she does not hold a current paediatric first aid certificate to ensure she has the up-to-date knowledge to meet children's needs in the event of an accident or injury. The childminder has a sound understanding of the hazards within the setting and on outings and takes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate steps to minimise the risks to children. For example, she has a safety gate across the stairs. A fire safety procedure has been thought through and is practised regularly with the children. However, the childminder has not produced a record of risk assessment for the setting or for each type of outing. It is a legal requirement for a record to be maintained of the setting's risk assessment with specific information recorded.

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the early years provision

The childminder respects the uniqueness of each child which is reflected in her policy to provide an inclusive setting where all children and parents feel welcome. She promotes equality of opportunity. She does not stereotype play resources, resulting in all children enjoying and benefiting from the full range of play materials. She has developed positive relationships with parents and works together with them to promote the needs of the children in her care. The childminder has prepared a manual about her service which she shares with parents, it includes information about menus, training she has undertaken and the polices and procedures. Parents have been asked to complete a questionnaire to seek their views; all express their satisfaction with the service. The childminder is aware of the need to develop links with other providers who deliver the EYFS, when the children she minds attend such settings, in order to fully support their

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and outcomes for children

The childminder meets children's emotional needs, which is the basis of their secure and close relationship. Consequently, the children are confident and lively. They make decisions on the direction of their play and move around the registered areas of the setting as their play ideas develop. The accessibility of the resources ensures all ages of children are included as they independently select their play materials requiring little assistance from the childminder. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the individual children's personalities and preferences. However the EYFS is at the early stages of being implemented in the childminders practice. At the present time little attention is given to tracking individual children's progress across the six areas of learning through observation, assessment and planning systems. This means that children's individual progress towards the early learning goals is not clearly monitored.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures the organisation of the day gives children ample opportunity to pursue their own interest in play and initiate their own ideas. Children play in a relaxed and unhurried manner. They show deepening levels of concentration as their attention is sustained in the activities of their choice. For example, the children select bags, dolls and other play materials to go on a shopping trip. They use problem solving skills when they fit all their chosen play materials into the bags. The childminder asks questions about where they are going, what they are going to buy and how much money they need. The bottom step of the stairs becomes their means of transport for their pretend journey. The younger children participate in activities alongside the older children which supports their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages show a genuine pleasure in books. They are able to freely select the books and have their particular favourite stories. They either look at these independently or enjoy a lively story session with the childminder which is fun. The childminder's skilful questioning, her positive response to non-verbal communication and repeating the correct pronunciation of words promotes children's language and literacy skills. A spontaneously singing session starts; all the children enthusiastically sing and complete the actions to 'Incy Wincy spider'. The children talk to each other and the childminder about what they are doing as they draw and make marks. The children's own work is acknowledged by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoor play opportunities are organised in the local environment on a daily basis to enhance children's experiences. Outings to children's groups gives the children greater opportunity to develop their social skills. The childminder does not use a car to transport the children. Consequently children learn how to keep themselves safe as they follow road safety procedures when out and about. Providing varied outdoor activities helps children to learn to enjoy being outside and pursue activities which promote a healthy life style, such as running in open spaces in the park. The children learn about hygiene practices and personal care routines, as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. The children benefit from a balanced diet which includes fruit and vegetables each day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is a good role model for the children's behaviour she shows them courtesy and respect. Praise is given for children's achievements. They happily help to tidy away their toys taking responsibility for their play environment and learning about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains that too many toys are a tripping hazard. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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