Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY233362 Inspection date 08/09/2009 Inspector Sharon Verma

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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 2002. She lives with her husband in the Kirkby area of Knowsley. The childminder's home is close to local transport links, schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding along with access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is also able to offer care to children over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to local schools. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring the needs of all children are met. All children are valued and respected for their individuality. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she has a clear understanding of each child's background, likes and dislikes. She promotes most aspects of their welfare, learning and development, which enables them to make satisfactory progress. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards her on-going professional development and recognises the areas she needs to improve in order to develop her practice in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments cover anything with which a child may come into contact, in this instance a large paddling pool used during the summer  improve opportunities for children to develop positive attitudes to diversity and difference so they learn from the earliest age to value diversity in others  continue to develop the systems for identifying strengths and areas for improvement to raise the quality of the outcomes for children  develop systems for observation and assessment to ensure children make as much progress as possible towards the Early Learning Goals in relation to their starting points. 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 a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding issues and has enrolled on a safeguarding course to improve her knowledge in this area. She is aware of the action to take and whom to contact should she have concerns about a child's welfare. Children are generally safe within the home however, risk assessments do not cover everything that a child may come into contact with, such as the large paddling pool used in the garden in the summer. Most documentation however, is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.

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the early years provision

Systems for self-evaluation are in their infancy however the childminder has identified some areas for improvement, such as safeguarding training. Issues relating to the previous inspection visit have been addressed, thus improving upon the outcomes for children and partnerships with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity. She has devised a policy on equal opportunity and the celebration of different festivals such as Chinese New Year and Divali mean children have some opportunities to develop an understanding of others and their differences. The childminder has however, identified this as another area for development and plans to complete training in this area to enable her to further promote it within her setting. The spacious conservatory used for childminding allows for different areas to be set up at the same time, such as reading corner, arts and crafts table and small world play and children gain in confidence as they choose their own toys and activities which are easily accessible.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are good and this helps children to feel reassured and to feel that they belong. The childminder shares information with parents during daily informal talks and uses settling in visits to gather information about children and their starting points. The childminder has devised an information booklet which she plans to pass to nursery once the child starts to forge positive links for the future and facilitate the transition for the child.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a bright and spacious environment that is organised with child-size furniture, toy storage boxes, comfortable seating and some displays of children's art work. The childminder has a good awareness of how children learn through play and is confident in helping them make steady progress towards the early learning goals. She enthusiastically supports the children using play opportunities to foster their understanding of numbers, language and literacy. The daily routine is flexible and the childminder provides a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. She has a reasonable knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework however, the systems for observing and assessing children are in their infancy and they do not identify the next steps to inform future planning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are happy and form close relationships with the childminder. They feel

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and outcomes for children

secure and are becoming confident learners. Whilst they are playing the childminder constantly talks to the children to encourage their learning. For example when they were playing 'Pop Up Pirate' game the childminder said 'I'm going to use the green sword, what colour are you going to use?'. When they played 'Frustration' they counted the numbers on the dice and then used their counters to count each space moved, helping them to develop some skills for the future. Children do from time to time use the computer with the childminder to access the 'CBeebies' website, however, opportunities to learn about information technology are quite limited. Children's personal, social and emotional development are well promoted. They are developing good levels of personal independence and self-care as they wash their hands and dress themselves after visiting the toilet. They help tidy up activities before moving on to the next and

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and outcomes for children

take turns in group activities such as board games. Children's behaviour is well managed by the clear guidance and positive approach adopted by the childminder which helps them to develop a clear understanding of right and wrong.

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and outcomes for children

Their communication and language skills are well fostered through stories each day, the use of alphabet posters and magnetic letters to help them start to recognise letters. Children also enjoy being creative using the resources available. On the day of inspection one child brought out a trumpet and harmonica. She had fun creating different sounds as she pressed different buttons on the trumpet and showed delight as she blew into the harmonica. Later she sang 'Wind My Bobbin Up' into the toy microphone and asked the childminder to play the harmonica to accompany her. They re-enact life through role play such as visits to the doctor as children attend to sick dolls using the medical case and equipment available. Children show confidence in selecting their own resources from a reasonable selection on offer, however those depicting diversity are limited and impact on children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes to others and their

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and outcomes for children

Outside, children access wheeled toys and slides to foster their physical development. They learn about healthy lifestyle through regular visits to a local park and swimming pool. Their good health is fostered through the healthy options the childminder provides for children at meal and snack times. On the day of inspection children enjoyed snacks of banana and strawberries and ham and cheese pitta bread with cherry tomatoes for lunch. Children also learn to adopt healthy habits such as good hand washing practices through the childminder's gentle but regular reminders throughout the day. This is supported by the procedures for minimising the risk of cross-infection, for example the use of individual hand towels and the effective implementation of the sick child policy. Children feel safe in the setting and develop a sound understanding of how to keep themselves safe in the home and on outings. They take part in regular fire drills

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and outcomes for children

and talk about road safety on daily walks to the shops, school or park. At home they learn to tidy up equipment on the floor 'so they do not trip over them'. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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