Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315380 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Wendy Brooks

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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 1990. She lives in Rainhill with her husband and three children, aged 22 years old, 15 years old and 13 years old. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for minded children, with access to the first floor bathroom and an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently three children under eight years old on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends local toddler groups, parks and libraries. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder receives support from St Helens Sure Start.

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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

The childminder has an excellent understanding of each child's individual welfare and development needs. Activities are provided which meets children's interests and preferences, meaning they enjoy their time with the childminder. The information gained from observations is not always used when planning activities to enable children to progress to their full potential. Partnerships with parents and carers have been established and information regarding children's development is shared, although opportunities to extend children's learning at home are not fully promoted. The childminder supports children to develop a good understanding of the world around them.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a daily record of the names of all children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (W5 Documentation) 06/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 use the information obtained from the observations of children's development to plan activities focused on children's individual learning in order to promote children's progress to the full potential  further develop the partnerships with parents in order to obtain information regarding children's starting points to plan appropriate activities for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as they first attend, and to extend children's learning at home by sharing more information regarding the activities children take part in.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility in this area. Information regarding child protection procedures and up to date contact numbers are available. Children's safety on the premises and on outings is maintained as the childminder completes checks of all areas and risk assessments are recorded. However, the hours of attendance for each child are not recorded accurately, which is a breach in regulations.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships have been established with parents and carers. The childminder shares all policies and procedures with parents during the admissions procedure and children's welfare needs are discussed in detail. This means that children are able to settle quickly and are well cared for by the childminder. No record of the children's developmental level or particular interests are recorded, which means the childminder has no starting point from which to plan activities for individual children when they first start to attend, or track the progress they make. Parents are provided with useful information regarding general childcare and health issues and the childminder has displayed information regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) within the playroom. This means parents are awar e of how children are encouraged to learn through their play during their time with the childminder. Children's progress and development is shared with parents,

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the early years provision

although they are not encouraged to extend children's learning at home through examples of activities to do together. Parents and carers have provided written evidence of their satisfaction with the childminder and positive comments regarding the care provided to their children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established links with the other settings that minded children attend. Information regarding children's development and interests has been passed on to class teachers as children start school, which eases their transition to a new setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of reflecting on her own practice and has begun to make a record of self evaluation. She has used this opportunity to identify areas for development in order to further improve the provision for children. Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to meet the recommendations set, for example, by developing required written documents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has arranged her home to allow children to move around freely and to develop independence as they select from a variety of resources. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder and spend their time engaged This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in age appropriate and varied activities. Children enjoy modelling with play dough, using a variety of tools and developing their fine motor skills to pull, stretch and roll the dough. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing and encourages them to use language and communication with confidence, using specific words whilst developing their understanding of the world around them. Children identify the different features of their own face before making a mouth, eyes, ears and hair with play dough for the pictures provided.

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and outcomes for children

After further arts and crafts activities, such as making collage pictures with glue and shiny paper, children move into the main playroom, where they can select from an extensive range of resources. Construction equipment, small world toys, role play and dressing up are some of the activities children regularly choose from. Children enjoy caring for the toy dolls, nursing them, putting them under blankets for a sleep and providing a picnic for them. The childminder provides activities suited to children's ages and development levels, although they are not always planned specifically around individual children's learning needs, in order to challenge and extend children's learning. Observations of children's development are carried out and linked to the areas of learning within the EYFS. These are stored in children's individual files, along with photographs to reflect the activities children have been involved in. Next steps in children's learning are usually

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and outcomes for children

identified, however these are not used to full effect, as they are not carried forward into plans for specific activities for individual children. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's personal interests and stages of development, therefore the continuous provision of appropriate, enjoyable activities means that children do make good progress in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop skills for the future through everyday activities and routines with the childminder. For example, they count the stairs as they go up to use the bathroom, count buttons on their clothes and talk about the shape, size and colour of objects all around them. Children have regular access to the garden for outdoor play, they go for walks and visit various playgroups, which helps to keep them healthy and active. Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles by following hygiene routines and through discussions about the foods they eat. Children have planted tomatoes and lettuce with the childminder, which contributes to their understanding of the environment and they are involved in recycling milk bottles and cardboard boxes, to encourage a commitment to sustainability. Regular fire drill practices and discussions about road safety when they are out and about, ensures that children develop an understanding of keeping

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and outcomes for children

Resources, activities and discussions helps children to learn about the world around them. All children are respected as unique individuals and the childminder supports them to develop an understanding of equality and diversity. 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: 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: Met

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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

 maintain a daily record of the hours of attendance of each child who is cared for on the premises (CR8 Records to be kept). 06/10/2009

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