Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY289750 Inspection date 23/03/2010 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 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 husband and two teenage children in the Sutton area of St. Helens. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, who attend on a part-time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to local schools, nurseries and playgroups. The playroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor of the childminder's home are used for minding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

Links have been established with other early years settings. The childminder holds a relevant qualification in early years.

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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. Systems for observation, assessment and planning are in place, although they are in their early stages. Partnerships with parents and carers have been established to ensure that information regarding children's welfare is shared. However, there are several omissions in the required documentation. The children are respected as individuals and have some understanding of the wider world. The childminder is in the early stages of identifying areas for future development and demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future for all children (Safeguarding and welfare) 06/04/2010

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further?

 provide parents with information regarding the procedure to be followed in the event of a child going missing (Safeguarding and welfare). 06/04/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the written risk assessments to include each specific outing  extend the written safeguarding children policy to include the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm. A written safeguarding children policy is in place, which is shared with parents. However, this does not include the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against the childminder. The childminder ensures children are not left unsupervised with anyone who has not been suitably vetted and takes steps to prevent hazards to children both on the premises and during outings. Written risk assessments have been completed for the premises and some routine outings, although these do not extend to each individual outing which children take part in on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers have been established to ensure that information regarding the children's individual welfare needs is shared. Information is provided, with regards to the daily routines and activities children are involved in, through verbal discussion, text messages and some use of daily diaries. Parents are provided with their own copy of the main policies and procedures and the childminder discusses these during the admissions procedure. However, there is no information shared with regards to the procedure to be followed should a child go missing while in the care of the childminder. In addition, written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment has not been obtained for several children. These are requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and means that the children's health and safety is not fully promoted.

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the early years provision

Links have been established with other early years settings where minded children attend. The childminder is familiar with the local nursery and liaises with the children's key worker's to discuss what topics and themes children have been learning about at nursery. These are shared with parents and the childminder supports the children to extend their learning. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of promoting equality and diversity. The children are respected as individuals and begin to learn about the wider world through a selection of resources, activities and discussions.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to consider areas for further development and is in the early stages of the self-evaluation process. Steps have been taken to improve the provision for children since the last inspection, for example children's safety in the home has improved through the use of equipment such as cupboard and fridge locks, and children now have independent access to drinking water.

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and outcomes for children

The children are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder's care and make independent choices about their play. The childminder supports children to understand about appropriate behaviour and to show respect for others. The children spend time playing group games with the childminder, such as matching This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 games, and small board games where they learn about colours and numbers during their play. The childminder is aware of each child's individual skills in the areas of number and letter recognition and supports them to develop their knowledge and understanding through games and one-to-one activities.

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and outcomes for children

The children make choices during their time in the childminder's home and select from the wide range of resources available. After building with blocks and playing imaginatively with the role play equipment children ask to share a book with the childminder and later choose to watch a favourite television programme together. Other activities such as arts and crafts, baking and attending local playgroups are provided throughout the week. The childminder has individual folders in place for each child which contain examples of their art work and observational comments. The childminder is beginning to identify the next steps in the children's learning and uses this information to an extent when supporting this. Some written plans are in place which identify different activities which follow a particular theme, such as 'our body', although these are not linked to the observations of children's development to promote the children's individual learning to its full potential.

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and outcomes for children

The children's general health and well-being are supported as the childminder encourages children to take part in independent hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet. The childminder provides snacks and meals such as fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches and pasta and occasional biscuits and sweets. The children begin to learn about healthy eating through discussions and taking part in shopping at the local supermarket where they help to choose the items and put them in the basket. Children's safety is promoted at the childminder's home as equipment such as stair gates, socket covers and cupboard locks are used and the childminder supervises children effectively. The children take part in fire drill practises on a regular basis and learn about fire safety through other activities which helps them to keep safe in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn about the environment during walks and visits to local parks and playgrounds. They spend time outdoors during various outings, although the childminder does not use her own garden as it is not suitable for minded children. Children's physical development is supported as they use large equipment at playgroups and the park. The childminder encourages children to play action games which keep them physically active as they learn about different parts of the body and follow simple instructions. 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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