Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY317963 Inspection date 03/02/2010 Inspector Janice Linsdell

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, 10 and 12 years. The family live in Warrington, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and some areas of the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. Family pets include two cats. 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 six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll and, of these, one is within the early years age range.

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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 offers a welcoming environment for all children. She meets children's individual needs appropriately and helps them to make satisfactory progress in their learning. She works sufficiently well with parents to promote children's welfare, but wider partnerships with other settings are not yet established. The childminder demonstrates a suitable commitment to ongoing improvement and has some ideas about how she can improve her provision, but systems for effective self-evaluation are not fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 clearly identify children's next steps in their learning, to help them make progress towards the early learning goals  further develop risk assessments to include more detail about hazards to children's safety and the action taken to minimise any risks  improve systems for self-evaluation and identifying priorities for the future  maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other settings the children attend, to promote their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of safeguarding procedures and knows how to report concerns according to Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has completed required training in childminding and first aid, as well as some additional training relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Risk assessments are in place to promote children's safety on the premises and on outings, although these lack some detail about hazards and how they have been reduced. All other required documentation to safeguard children's welfare is in place and appropriately maintained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children access a suitable range of resources to support their play and learning, and the environment encourages their sense of belonging through the various photographs on display. The childminder treats children equally and organises

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the early years provision

some activities to promote their awareness of diversity, such as celebrating events and recognising flags from different countries. She is working sufficiently well with parents, for example, by chatting to them about the children's day and sharing written policies. Parents can also see their children's observation records, which inform them of their activities and progress in their learning. However, partnerships with other settings are not yet fully developed to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to address issues from the last inspection, therefore improving aspects of her provision. For example, she has increased her knowledge of the EYFS requirements and introduced systems to record and monitor children's learning. The range of outdoor play equipment has been increased and the childminder also has some plans to undertake formal childcare training. This shows a positive commitment to continuous improvement. She has some ideas about areas for further development, but she is not using effective systems to fully evaluate her practice and identify clear goals for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning because the childminder is supporting their development sufficiently well. She is using systems to plan activities based on children's interests, and using observation records to record their progress across all areas of learning. She is starting to note children's next steps in their learning, but details lack clarity about how she will help children to make progress towards the early learning goals. Nevertheless, children are developing their social and communication skills, and learning how to count and recognise colours.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and content. They interact positively with the childminder and her daughter, as they sit on the floor to draw and paint. They have fun joining in with games, such as 'Doh Nutters', where they wear elephant masks and attempt to catch hoops with their trunk. Children are supported to recognise sounds and letters when they practise writing their name or when they use the computer. They show awareness of different colours and develop their creative skills when they make things to take home. The childminder promotes children's understanding of numbers and problem solving by helping them to count pennies and fit together pieces of the sponge jigsaw. Photographs show children reading stories, building with the blocks and enjoying physical play in the park. Overall, the childminder offers a suitable range of activities, which helps children to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy long walks regularly, which enables them to learn about the local community and contributes to their physical well-being. They benefit from eating healthy snacks, such as fruit and yoghurts, and show an understanding of keeping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves clean. The childminder makes children aware of safety issues by setting boundaries, establishing rules and outlining the consequences of their actions. She manages children's behaviour appropriately and praises children for their efforts. As a result, children learn to behave well and often use good manners without prompts from the childminder. 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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