Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY241048 Inspection date 17/03/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 two children aged four and eight in Upton in Wirral. The childminder's husband is approved as her assistant. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than 5 children under 8 years; of these, not more than 2 may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year at any one time (Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register) There are currently three 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a very well organised, welcoming and child-centred environment where children can make choices in their play and learning. Children make good progress because the childminder has a clear understanding of how to support children's learning and development. She works closely with the parents to share information to promote continuity of care and support children's progress. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and has attended various training courses since the last inspection to enhance her childminding practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for assessing children's starting points and capabilities by gathering more information from parents when the children first attend the setting.

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the early years provision

Children are safe and secure in the childminder's home because regular risk assessment and daily checks of the premises and equipment are undertaken by the childminder to ensure the environment and resources remains safe. She has attended training programmes to ensure her knowledge on health and safety issues is up to date and complies with all relevant legislation. Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures and understands how to refer any concerns regarding children's welfare to the appropriate agencies. She has a safeguarding policy in place which is shared with parents. She promotes children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 awareness of how to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise how to evacuate the property in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good because of the childminder's commitment to provide them with regular written and verbal information about their child. The childminder completes daily diaries for the parents informing them of how she has met their child's care needs for the day. For example she records what the child has eaten, how long they have slept and other pertinent information. Parents are informed of the childminder's policies and procedures so they are aware of the type of care their child can expect to receive. Written comments from parents are included on the children's observation and assessment records.

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the early years provision

The systems for self-evaluation are in place and the childminder has identified areas for ongoing improvement. Such as, seeking additional training on some aspect of the Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.). She has a very, professional approach and has met the two recommendations made at the last inspection. The childminder continues to attend training programmes including completing her National Vocational Qualification in childcare and education level three to further develop her knowledge and experience. All the required records, policies, procedures and documents to safeguard children and provide an efficient service are in place and in very good order.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. She knows the children well, this enables her to provide successfully for their individual care needs routines and plan their progress. Starting points are informally identified. Each child's learning journey is recorded in their profile with photographs of their play and activities and written observations of their personal achievements. The childminder identifies the next stages of individual children's learning and links activities to the early learning goals in the framework, to help track children's progress. For example, young children who are developing speech skills are provided with resources and opportunity to practise and develop their skills. A balance of adult-directed and child-led play is incorporated into the childminding day. Children are not stereotyped and activities are adapted to allow everyone to participate.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about their local community through visits to the parks, library and toddler groups. They celebrate different festivals such as Chinese new year, Diwali and Mother's day to promote discussion and develop their awareness of the wider world. Good attention is given to developing children's understanding of the importance to recycle items and to consider their environment. They recycle household materials and either use them to model make or help sort into the different household waste bins. They are able to identify the correct bin for the different waste materials. They learn about growing their own plants and food produce. They have grown strawberries and carrots and eaten their 'crop'. In the garden each child has their own plan pot, they have planted sunflowers and they are responsible for caring for their plant helping them to understand about life This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

cycles and what is required to produce healthy and strong flowers. They are learning about how to make compost and they help collect the leaves and other materials that can be placed in the compost bin.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's linguistic skills by providing many opportunities for children to explore language through songs, stories and activities. They look at books together, sing rhymes and conversation is warm and lively. Language and communication are recognised as essential skills for children's economic well-being and underpin all activities. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills and play in the fresh air. Outside play is well planned to offer challenge, maintain their interest and enable children to run ,jump, ride ,scoot in the open space. They explore shape and size as they blow bubbles, comparing the size of the bubbles and counting how many have been blown. They identify which space hopper is the largest as a child sits on the small hopper and instructs the childminder to sit on the larger pink hopper. They make 'boing' sounds as they bounce across the lawn. The childminder makes very good

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and outcomes for children

use of this provision taking indoor resources outside to further children's learning and enjoyment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes positive behaviour and she offers children lots of praise and encouragement. Children relate warmly to her 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. House rules include removing outdoor foot wear in order to keep areas were children play and use clean for health and hygiene purposes thus, promoting children's welfare. 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: 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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