Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358406 Inspection date 10/12/2009 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 lives with her husband and two children aged three years and one year in Widnes. Minded children have the use of the whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and access to the first floor bathroom and rear bedroom for sleep times. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. There are currently two children on roll, who attend at different times. The childminder takes children to local nurseries, playgroups and areas of interest. The childminder has established links with other early years settings.

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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 has a sound understanding of the individual welfare and care needs of the children she cares for. However, systems for observation, assessment and planning are in their infancy and therefore do not extend children's learning and development to full potential. Partnerships with parents, carers and other settings have been established to ensure that information regarding children's progress is shared. Documentation is well maintained, however, risk assessments for outings have not been completed. Children's general health and safety is promoted, although fire drill practises have not been carried out with minded children to develop their understanding of keeping safe. The childminder has started to consider areas for development, although no record of self-evaluation has been completed. Some steps have been taken to meet the recommendations at the last inspection which demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to improve.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are respected as individuals and have some understanding of the wider world.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing. The assessment must take account of the nature of the outing and must be reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 24/12/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that regular fire evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop the systems for observation, assessment and planning to ensure that all children's individual learning is promoted to full potential  develop the system for self-evaluation to ensure effective evaluation of current practice, the steps taken to make improvements and the impact for children who attend.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to protect children's welfare. A clear written policy is in place for safeguarding children, and includes the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against the childminder. Basic written risk assessments are in place for the premises, although none have been completed for any outings. This is a breach of requirements. The childminder ensures children are not left unsupervised with anyone who has not been suitably vetted.

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the early years provision

Records and documents are well maintained and parents are provided with copies of all policies and procedures during the admissions procedure. Parents sign to acknowledge they have read these and provide the necessary written consents as required. The childminder ensures that parents are kept informed of their child's welfare and progress and works with them to support children in areas, such as toilet training to ensure consistency for children. Several minded children also attend other early years settings and the childminder has established partnerships with staff who work directly with the children. Currently, information regarding children's learning and development is only discussed in brief, but this does ensure that children's welfare and development needs are shared and allows the childminder to pass on relevant information to parents and carers.

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the early years provision

All children are treated with equal respect and the childminder has a positive approach to promoting equality and diversity. Some resources, activities and equipment are provided which support children's understanding of the wider world, although these are not extensive.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not completed any formal record of self-evaluation to date. However, she has started to identify areas for development, such as attending further training on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and is aware of the positive impact this will have on the children. This demonstrates that she has the capacity to improve. Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken some steps to meet the recommendations raised, for example, all fire exits are kept clear and the childminder has a procedure for evacuation in place. However, fire drills have not been carried out with the children to date, which limits their understanding of keeping themselves safe in an emergency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder currently cares for children on a part time basis only, and they are often in her care for short periods of time throughout the day as they also attend the local nursery. The childminder has an understanding of each child's preferences and interests, and provides resources and equipment suited to this. Some photographs and brief notes have been made with regard to children's development, although the systems for observation, assessment and planning are in their infancy. The observations are not linked to the areas of learning within the EYFS and next steps for children's learning are not recorded. However, through discussion, the childminder demonstrates an understanding of the areas within the EYFS and is aware of appropriate activities to support children's development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder's care and move around the home freely. They are confident to choose from the resources available and will ask for additional equipment or activities if they wish. Children select from the dressing up equipment before choosing to make lunch and drinks of tea in the pretend kitchen area. They talk about what they are making and ask visitors to blow out the candles on the birthday cake they have baked in the oven. Children spend some time drawing and practising their early mark-making skills with crayons and paper before moving outside to the play house. Children have plenty of opportunities to use their imagination as they push dolls in prams and pretend to go shopping and use the till to pay for purchases. Further resources are available for children to play with, to include books, trains, construction and arts and crafts. Outside, children have access to wheeled toys, a slide and a sand pit.

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and outcomes for children

On days where children attend for longer periods of time, the childminder takes them to local playgroups or to the park, where they have opportunities to explore a wider range of activities and develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted as the childminder encourages them to take part in hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The family have a pet dog which all children are familiar with and the childminder ensures that routine health checks are carried out for the dog to prevent any hygiene issues. Children enjoy snacks of fruit as well as cereal, toast and sandwiches on a regular basis. If children are present at meal times the childminder provides a mix of processed and home made meals. Although breakfast time is a shared social event at the dining table, children often eat sandwiches on the settee during lunchtime whilst watching television, which does not encourage children to adopt healthy lifestyles. Children's ongoing safety at the childminder's home is maintained as she ensures socket covers, safety gates and cupboard locks are in place as required.

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and outcomes for children

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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