Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396694 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Michele Anne Villiers

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, three, and four years in Runcorn, Cheshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, plus the front small bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years, some on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and takes them to toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

Children play in a welcoming family home and make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder is caring in her approach and she has started to monitor the children’s progress with some written information. She demonstrates a commitment to maintaining continuous improvement, although effective methods of self-evaluation have not yet been fully implemented. Most safety measures are in place and the childminder conducts formalised risk assessments to identify any potential hazards. However, she has not devised an effectively written safeguarding policy to share with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 make use of children’s assessment records to effectively inform planning, identify next steps in children’s learning and build on what they already know as they progress towards the early learning goals  use self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement and meaningfully involve parents and carers and use as a basis of ongoing internal review  provide more positive images that challenge the children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, and disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded and most safety measures are in place. The childminder has a good understanding about children protection issues, having This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed training, and is able to demonstrate verbally her procedure to follow should their be concerns about a child. However, she has not clearly formalised her policies in order to share information with parents. The home is safe and secure and appropriate steps are taken to help in the prevention of spread of infection.

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the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has attended Early Years Foundation Stage workshops in order to improve upon her skills to benefit the children. She identifies areas for improvement through observation and discussion with the parents but has not yet effectively recorded her findings, with meaningful contributions from parents, in order to use as a basis of ongoing review.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the children’s individual requirements and provides an inclusive environment where children can independently access the toys and resources. She is conscientious about sustaining the earth’s resources and teaches children about recycling. Parents are kept informed about their children's achievements, well-being and development through daily discussion and sharing development portfolios. Parents are welcome into the home at any time and letters of praise evidence how happy they are with the care provided. The childminder has also started to forge links with other provisions attended by the children in the Foundation Stage in order to provide continuity of learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their play and, through the good support provided by the childminder, they make steady progress in their learning. Many opportunities are used as a learning experience. For example, children discuss the different coloured plates at snack time, and count how many objects or pieces of fruit they have. The childminder constantly challenges their language skills, using open-ended questions to encourage the children's thinking and communication. Children respond warmly towards the childminder, initiating interaction and confidently chattering.

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and outcomes for children

Informal planning is used to provide a balance of play opportunities, based on the children's interests and their level of attainment. The childminder has started to record the children’s achievements and milestones. However, the limited information is not clearly linked to the areas of learning, with no identified starting points or next steps, to effectively measure children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children confidently explore their environment, helping themselves to toys and resources. They learn to share and take turns, and receive reward stickers to promote their good behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking at books, and they practise their writing skills, mark-making on the chalk board, and recognising letters of their names. Children develop well in their mathematical skills, recognising and writing the number that represents their age and confidently count to ten. They discuss shape and colour during artwork and explore different textures when making Mothers Day cards using glue and glitter. The childminder is knowledgeable about each child’s needs and they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 develop a strong sense of belonging. They become aware of diversity through discussion but there are limited toys reflecting positive images of race, gender and disability in order to fully embrace differences.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy lifestyles are promoted and the childminder provides suitably balanced nutritional meals. The children’s dietary and individual requirements are met, taking into account any allergies or food preferences, and children help to prepare the menu. In the garden children learn about seasons and help to plant and grow fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries, blackcurrants and sugar snap peas. They learn about personal hygiene and know to wash their hands 'because you get germs'. A reminder poster is displayed saying 'Healthy Teddy says wash your hands'. Throughout their play they are reminded how to keep safe and on outings they learn about road safety. Children form close relationships with the childminder and develop good levels of self-esteem. As a result, they feel safe and secure, all of which contributes to children making sound progress in their learning and areas of development. 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: 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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Safeguarding children). 28/03/2010

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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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Safeguarding children). 28/03/2010

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