Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY224912 Inspection date 15/12/2009 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children in Birkenhead on the Wirral peninsular. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for minding. There is an enclosed lower rear garden for outdoor play.

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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 six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child in this age group. The childminder takes children to local parks, toddler groups and other places of interest on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 provides a welcoming environment, where children are making progress in their learning and development. Children are settled in her care, as she has developed secure relationships with their parents and ensures their individual needs are met. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has begun to record children's progress. She has begun to complete the self-evaluation form to look at ways of identifying areas for improvement within her setting and the care she offers to the children and their parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain parental consent for children to use the trampolene and ensure risk assesments include management of the trampolene  develop further opportunities and activities to help children gain an understanding of diversity  organise resources to promote children's access to them and enable them to make greater choices in their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home to enable children to make good use of the space available and make some choices about their play. She has adequate knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding procedures and contact details of the appropriate agencies are available, should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has written safeguarding and complaints policies in place, to keep parents informed and protect children's welfare. Written risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments are in place and are effective, as no issues were identified during the inspection. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and checks her first aid boxes, to ensure they are appropriately stocked. Most of the required documentation and consent forms regarding children's health and personal details are in place and signed by parents. However, a couple of the forms have not been

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the early years provision

updated to include parental consent for the childminder to seek emergency advice or treatment. Since the last inspection the childminder has satisfactorily completed all recommendations made, which has improved the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder completed her training on the EYFS framework and has the appropriate documents available for reference. She has started to maintain a learning development file for each child, to observe and assess the children's progress and to identify their next steps in learning. These development folders are available for parents to look at and discuss at any time. Effective partnerships with parents and carers are maintained through daily verbal and written exchanges of information. Parents are reassured that their child is happy and content through regular text message and telephone calls. The childminder has reflected on her current practice and is able to identify some areas for improvement, including how she can better seek the views and thoughts of parents. The childminder ensures that her home is an environment where all children and their families are made to feel welcome. This very experienced childminder has supported children with

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the early years provision

additional needs, and always works closely with them and other professionals as required, ensuring their individual needs are met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of diversity and equality. However, resources are limited, with few activities and opportunities for them to develop their understanding of diversity. All children have the opportunity to take part in activities and play situations and are beginning to be aware of the local community and the wider world. The childminder helps children to feel they belong in the setting through welcoming them, always calling them by name, asking parents what children like to do, establishing their favourite things and where they like to go. The information she gathers is used effectively to help her plan for individual children's needs and to help them achieve their learning goals. Partnership with parents is satisfactorily established through verbal and written communication, which helps parents to feel they belong. They share information, are presented with a daily diary and write down any comments. The childminder is

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the early years provision

beginning to forge links with other settings through shared information about the children and their interests. Children's behaviour is promoted through helping them to understand and accept the needs of others and helping one another.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has knowledge of the EYFS learning and has systems in place for observing, assessing and planning for children's learning and progress. Consequently children's progress towards the early learning goals is effectively promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The children are confident in the childminder's care and happily explore within the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play areas. However, limited access to a selection of toys and books does not encourage and promote children's skills of independence. There are some toys and resources to enable children to become aware of diversity, but the childminder provides few opportunities and activities to better support this awareness. Children benefit from the childminder's guidance and involvement in the activities; she sits with them helping and encouraging them to create their craft work. They discuss the size and colour of the various 'pom poms' supporting learning and understanding, whilst having fun. They enthusiastically share a book together and the childminder encourages the children to count the butterfly's on the page then the frogs and is delighted when they respond with the correct number. The

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and outcomes for children

children show the visitor the book, which has been written personally for them by a member of the childminder's family, they turn the laminated pages to show the illustrations, their delight at having their very own storybook is evident and fosters their sense of self-esteem. Outdoor play opportunities are organised in the childminder's garden and the local environment on a daily basis to enhance children's experiences. Outings to the park, shops, toddler group and library, develop their knowledge of their local community and provide opportunity for walking in the fresh air. The childminder takes children on trips to local places of interest, for example, the urban farm and Bidston Hill. She uses these outings as an opportunities for children to learn about the world around them, which contributes to their future economic well-being. They develop physical skills by using a range of tools, such as pens, jigsaws and construction toys and can use a

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and outcomes for children

wider variety of larger play apparatus in the local park and toddler group. The childminder ensures that all children are included in the activities and provides individuals with appropriate support to enjoy the activity.

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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 co-operate to the request to 'tidy away their toys' taking responsibility for their play environment. They learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains that too many toys are a tripping hazard. The childminder develops children's understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, they practise and discuss safe ways to cross the roads when they go out. Children are provided with a range of food and drinks, including healthy items, such as fruit. Suitable measures are in place to develop children's understanding of hygienic practices, such as, washing their hands appropriately and covering their mouth when they cough. 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 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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