Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337142 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Christine Stewart

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 10 years, 5 years and 16 months in Birkenhead, Wirral within walking distance of shops, parks, school and public transport links. The playroom and dining/kitchen on the ground floor are used for childminding. The toilet facilities and two back bedrooms on the first floor are included in areas children can access. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet rabbit which lives outdoors. This is a non-smoking environment.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom two may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children in this age group. The childminder takes children to local parks, libraries and other places of interest on a regular basis.

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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 towards continuing her training to improve her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She provides a good range of resources for children's welfare and learning needs. The childminder recognises and values the uniqueness of each child and she works in partnership with parents to promote their development. However, the required planning, observations and assessments of the children are not robust to support children's learning and development in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to ensure that there is a systematic process to complete children's observations and assessment which inform planning and are balanced across the six areas of learning  obtain consents for children to use the trampoline and ensure all glass indoors is safe

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the early years provision

The childminder has a knowledge of EYFS, but has not developed the observation, assessment and planning fully. She makes base line assessments on the children and links these to the six areas of learning. She does not yet make regular observations of children and use these to assess their development. Next steps are informally planned from what she knows about the child, but these are not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 routinely applied. The childminder's sound knowledge of how children develop ensures she provides an environment which encourages children to learn whilst in her care.

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the early years provision

Children are generally safe and secure in the childminder's home because regular risk assessment and daily checks of the premises are undertaken by the childminder to ensure the environment remains safe. Toys and equipment are clean and in good order and appropriate measures, such as socket covers and stair gates, are in place to ensure children's safety. However, the childminder is uncertain if all the internal glass doors within her home are fitted with safety glass and has not obtained consents for children to access the trampoline; these omissions compromise children's welfare. Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a knowledge of safeguarding procedures and understands how to refer any concerns regarding children's welfare to the appropriate agencies. She promotes children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise how to cross roads safely when

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the early years provision

they are out in the community and how to evacuate the property in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents is maintained and the childminder verbally shares information as the children are collected at the end of the day. Parents are informed about the complaints procedure and contact details for Ofsted are clearly displayed.

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the early years provision

The systems for self-evaluation are not yet developed. The childminder has identified areas for ongoing improvement, such as seeking additional training on some aspect of the EYFS and developing written systems to self-evaluate and plan for improvement. She has made improvements since her last inspection. For example, she has increased resources to promote diversity and the fire blanket is correctly sited. She has attended required training and is currently working towards a level 3 NVQ.

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and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They enjoy an interesting range of toys and resources, which cover the six areas of learning. The childminder provides children with an organised environment which helps them to become independent and active learners as they select their own toys and activities, enabling them to initiate their own play. She listens to children and develops simple conversations with them and answers their questions, thus developing their confidence and communication skills. Children's mathematic skills are promoted in everyday play as they spontaneously count how many tree tops they have joined to make one enormous tree for the jungle. There imaginative and creative play is well supported as they enjoy creating a farm and jungle with small world people and animals. They skilfully manoeuvre the construction pieces to build separate enclosures and homes for the farm animals and jungle creatures.

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and outcomes for children

They learn how to take care of living things as they help to feed and care for the family's pet rabbit. They remind the childminder that the rabbit likes to eat cabbage and carrots. The childminder promotes children's physical development as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she provides opportunity for them to access a range of outdoor toys including sit- and-ride toys. The children benefit from regular outings to local places of interest which develop their understanding of their local community. They learn about their environment and the natural world in nearby parks and enjoy trips to the urban farm. They are encouraged to notice the changing natural environment as they walk home from school and observe the autumn falling leaves. They collect leaves in different shades and assemble them on paper to create pictures to display in the playroom.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes positive behaviour and she gently offers children lots of praise and encouragement. Children relate warmly to the childminder and develop a sense of identity and belonging in her home. The childminder offers suitable opportunities for children to learn how to look after their own health, safety and well-being. Good hygiene routines are in place and the childminder offers a choice of healthy snacks, meals and drinks to meet children's dietary needs and to respect parents' preferences. They help to prepare their meals and are encouraged by the childminder to try new tastes and textures. Children learn to recognise and respond to risk and dangers, for example, when they follow good road safety procedures on outings. 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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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