Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 323038 Inspection date 11/12/2009 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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 has been registered since 1986. She lives in St. Helens, close to shops, parks and schools. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed yard available for outdoor play. Access to the premises is at ground floor level via a step and toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. There are currently five children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age range.The childminder also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has completed the National Childminding Association Quality Assurance Scheme. She is also a Community Childminder for the St. Helens area.

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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

Children are very well cared for and benefit from secure and nurturing relationships with the childminder, who values each child in her care as a unique individual. All aspects of children's welfare are effectively promoted and good arrangements are in place ensure children's health and safety. Partnerships with parents are strong; as a result, children benefit from consistent care and parents are well informed about all aspects of the provision. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides high levels of support. She is aware of individual children's capabilities and provides a stimulating range of activities, which helps all children to make progress. However, records of children's learning and development are not fully developed. The childminder is very driven and is committed to the continued improvement of her provision. She continually reflects on her practice and has a established a formal process of self-

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further?

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

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further?

 provide additional opportunities for children to find out about and identify the uses of everyday technology and use information and communication technology and programmable toys to support their learning  develop written records of children's learning and development, to ensure they highlight children's achievements or their need for further support and provide a record of children's progress towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded by the childminder, who has a very secure knowledge of child protection issues. She routinely completes training to ensure her knowledge is updated and is clear about the procedure she would follow if she was concerned about a child in her care. Details of the childminder's safeguarding procedures are effectively shared with parents. Risk assessments are routinely completed and appropriate action is taken to ensure children's safety within the childminder home. Consequently, children move around and play safely. Established procedures ensure children's safely on outings and children are learning to keep themselves safe, because the childminder highlights the dangers associated with traffic, large play equipment or strangers and explains how children can keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very experienced practitioner, who continually seeks to improve the quality of the provision she provides to young children and their families. She routinely attends relevant training and contributes to the development of local childminder groups and initiatives. Since her last inspection she has completed a nationally recognised level three qualification in childminding practice. The childminder has embraced the EYFS; in preparation for the new framework, she reviewed her existing systems, and devised a range of documents to help her record and monitor children's activities and experiences. Consequently, every child benefits from a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes all areas of their learning. Attention to documentation is good; the childminder is well organised, and established systems ensure all required documents are maintained.

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the early years provision

Children are valued and appreciated for their unique contributions to the setting. The childminder provides an inclusive service; she works very effectively with all children and welcomes all children into her home. The childminder has worked closely with external agencies, such as her Local Social Services Department, to help and support children with a range of different needs and abilities. Partnerships with parents are very good; parents are well informed about all aspects of the childminders service, including policies and procedures, and are encouraged to comment on the service she provides. Parents are pleased with the 'extremely wide range of activities the childminder provides' and state that the childminder 'really listens and supports what parents want for their children'. Information about children's progress is shared verbally and via a written diary on a daily basis, and parents feel very well informed about their children's progress.

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the early years provision

In addition, parents are also given their children's files on a termly basis, which highlights the range of activities and experiences their children have enjoyed. Partnerships with others delivering the EYFS are also good; individual diaries provide the opportunities to share details of current topics or ways to support children learning outside the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a very strong sense of belonging; they enjoy excellent relationships with the childminder, which makes them feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder is very attentive to individual children's needs and knows them very well. She responds promptly and closely monitors children who become unwell, providing gentle reassurance before contacting parents. Children good health is very well promoted by the childminder, who provides a good range of well-balanced and nutritious, home-cooked meals. Children have some opportunities to help prepare vegetables, which encourages them to try new foods. Children are also introduced to a diverse range of food and snacks as they learn about the cultures and festivals of others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well-resourced and provides an exceptional range of activities and experiences, which encourages children to become active and inquisitive learners. Children thrive in an environment where they feel valued and special, which gives them the confidence and self-esteem to embrace new challenges and experiences. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements for the EYFS and effectively promotes all areas of children's learning. Consequently, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is aware of children's individual capabilities and routinely provides opportunities for children to practise and refine new skills or make progress in a particular area of learning. For example, children who regularly count out of sequence practise every time they climb the stairs or build a tower, and number rhymes are sung repeatedly. Details of children's progress are shared

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and outcomes for children

with parents, but this is not always recorded in the record of children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have some excellent opportunities to extend their knowledge and understanding of the world. Interesting and stimulating craft activities, stories and dance help children learn about and appreciate the cultures and beliefs of others. Children spontaneously explore the natural world; for example, they investigate the texture of the moss growing on the tree trunks, watch balloons blowing in the wind, and learn how to care for living things when they plant bulbs. Children are also learning about the importance of recycling, as they sort and recycle paper and plastic packaging and take vegetable peelings to the compost heap. However, children have significantly fewer opportunities to learn about information and communication technology (ICT) or acquire skills in operating ICT equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good opportunities to develop key skills in communication, language and literacy; they communicate very effectively with the childminder, who stimulates their interest in the written word. Consequently, children use language to give meaning to their play and snuggle in closely to the childminder, listening intently as she reads a story. Children play with imagination; they delight in the wide range of dressing-up clothes available and embrace their role, for example, as a princess, a natural extension from the small princess they have been playing with in the castle. The childminder knows what the children like and provides resources and activities that stimulate and interest them; consequently, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children become absorbed in their play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains a detailed record of the activities and experiences children engage in, but does not always highlight individual children's achievements or capabilities. In addition, children's files do not include details of children abilities at admission. Consequently, records of children learning and development do not provide an accurate record of children's progress in relation to their starting points. Some individual achievements are noted in children's daily diaries, but this does not fully reflect the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. 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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