Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285691 Inspection date 17/03/2010 Inspector Margaret Patricia Mellor

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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 2004. She lives with her two children aged seven and ten years in Warrington. Children use the whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home for their care and play experiences. There is a secure, fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two guinea pigs and goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of whom not more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also provides care for eight children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or uses her car to collect children from school and take them to places of interest. She has a degree in music and teaches one day a week in the local primary school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, and receives support from the local authority.

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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 benefit from a childminder who plans enjoyable and challenging activities for them and understands their individual needs. They are cared for in a well- resourced, homely environment where they are very happy and content. Good emphasis is given to promoting children's health; however, safeguarding procedures and risk assessments, that help keep children safe, lack some detail. Partnerships with parents contribute to creating an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes children's individuality. Children enjoy learning about the world around them, and make good progress in their learning and achievement. Recommendations raised at the last visit have been met, and the childminder is using self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 put in place procedures with regard to a parent failing to collect a child; a child going missing; and allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after children at the premises ( Safeguarding and welfare). 31/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop risk assessments to include details for specific outings This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further methods to involve parents in practical ways to support their child's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision well, and all the daily, regulatory documentation that contributes to children's welfare, such as records of attendance, is well maintained. Good hygiene practices, including the provision of children's individual towels, help to minimise the risk of cross infection. Meals and snacks are nutritious, and daily routines and activities also nurture children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle. The childminder has a strong understanding of her responsibilities in the area of child protection. However, there are no written procedures in the event of an allegation being made against any person at the premises, or a child going missing or a parent failing to collect a child. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. Risk assessments are generally robust and regularly reviewed, but lack some detail for specific outings.

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the early years provision

Good emphasis is given to ensuring that each child's unique qualities are valued, and to creating an enabling environment where children can initiate their own play and learning. 'All about me' booklets and engaging with parents help the childminder to provide an environment consistent with home. This means that children's individual care needs are respected, and they make good progress in their learning in relation to their starting points. Ongoing sharing of information is good, and parents themselves comment with kind words; for example they write about how happy they are with their child's care, and their opportunities to learn and grow through play. Important links forged with the local pre-school are complementing children's learning between provisions; however, practical ways of involving parents in their child's learning have not yet been developed.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very keen to promote better outcomes for children. For example, since the last visit she has improved children's safety by obtaining written parental consent regarding use of the trampoline, and attended training events to develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, she is successfully using the Ofsted self-evaluation form to drive continuous quality improvement forward, and has identified parent questionnaires as a key area for future development. Good consideration is given to the limitations of the planet's environment. The childminder uses vegetable peel to make garden compost, and teaches the children how to recycle used packaging to make models, such as Elmer the elephant from their favourite story book.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and content in the childminder's home, and the proud display of the butterfly pictures they have created boosts the children's self-esteem and nurtures their sense of belonging. They eagerly engage in their play and delve into toy boxes to seek out favourite toys, which appeal to their interests. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 show plenty of curiosity when exploring different textures, such as glitter or paint, and making pasta for lunch, in pretend play, helps them make sense of the world. Children begin to make connections when turning knobs to operate remote control cars, and learning to design patterns with clip art on the computer extends their awareness of technology.

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and outcomes for children

All children are included and the childminder is good at making sure each child feels valued; for example, she makes allowances for their different personalities, which is reflected in children's happiness. Children grow in confidence through the childminders kind words of praise for what they have achieved. As a result, children politely interact with adults, and happily take responsibility for their play environment as they help tidy away toys. Respect for others is also fostered as children play with different nationality dolls and make dragon puppets for Chinese New Year. In the garden, children enjoy opportunities for exploration and discovery. They take care of the flowers they grow for Mothers Day, and experiment with quantities and measure in sand-play. Children become aware of their local area with visits to places of interest, such as the garden centre, which are enjoyed by all.

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and outcomes for children

Good adult support, and well-planned activities mean that children thoroughly enjoy their play, while making good progress in their learning and achievement. During play, children develop their understanding of numbers, shapes and colours, contributing to their mathematical development. Early literacy skills are particularly well supported by the childminder. For instance; she extends what children learn in pre-school as she helps them to link sounds to letters, and good use of resources in role play encourages children to think about words beginning with 'P', such as, pots and pans. The childminder is successfully linking observation to the six areas of learning to identify and plan for each child's next steps in learning, and every child has a development file where information is recorded. Print as labelling, and free access to mark-making resources and lots of books for enjoyment, further enrich children's skills for the futures.

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and outcomes for children

Children freely move with confidence around the childminder's home because all the necessary safety equipment is in place to minimise hazards, and the garden provides a variety of safe challenges for them. Learning to keep themselves safe is encouraged; for example, practising fire evacuation, and when they are old enough they are afforded opportunities to take risks, such as, bouncing on the trampoline. Children gain independence as they help themselves to drinks when thirsty, and take pleasure in personal hygiene when washing their hands. Meal times are a social occasion where good manners are encouraged, and fresh fruit as snacks nurtures children's awareness of healthy eating. Fresh air everyday, climbing, and digging with simple tools promote children's physical skills, and therefore, build on their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 This is detailed in the previous action relating the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding children) 31/03/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 This is detailed in the previous action relating the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding children). 31/03/2010

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