Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY216563 Inspection date 12/05/2010 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 2002. She lives with her partner and three children aged seven, eight and 13 years in Widnes, 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. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She has a cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children make significant gains in their learning and development because of the exceptional organisation of the educational programme and support provided. Children are extremely happy and play in a stimulating, vibrant environment that is conducive to their learning and welfare requirements. They are safe and secure, and the childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with parents and others to ensure consistency of care and the children’s individual needs are met. The rigorous monitoring of her provision and the planning for continuous improvement significantly enhances the children’s achievements and well-being.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 build on the systems used for obtaining initial information about the children's achievements, in collaboration with parents, and link to the areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Comprehensive safeguarding procedures are in place and complaints and incidents are effectively dealt with and clearly recorded in great detail. Systematic risk assessments help to minimise any potential hazards and the childminder has received a ‘3 Star’ rating for her excellent standards of hygiene. The childminder uses self-evaluation well to identify areas for improvement, and previous recommendations have been met in order to further safeguard children. A more effective heating system is now in the children’s playroom, and policies have been This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 updated.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an exceedingly good understanding of how children learn and effectively implements the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has a positive impact on the children's progress. The home is utilised fully with excellent consideration given to children's needs in the organisation of resources. For example, low level mirrors are placed above washbasins, and children find their named photograph to display, personalising their own hooks for towels. All children are well integrated and positive steps are taken to promote equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

Parents receive high-quality information and contribute to their children's progress reports and daily diaries, with six monthly reviews and questionnaires. They speak very positively about the ‘enthusiastic’, ‘caring’ childminder, and letters of praise evidence the high quality care provided. Well established links are forged with other provisions that children attend for continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive excellent support from the childminder, and the playroom is rich with imaginative wall displays, toys, posters and photographs. Child size furniture promotes the children’s independence, and outdoor play is part of the continuous provision to promote their health and well-being. Extensive planning ensures activities are well balanced, with good systems to reinforce the children’s learning. For example, when learning about healthy eating, children purchase home grown produce from the farm shop, and buy plants and seeds to grow their own fruit and vegetables. At Christmas time they visit a forest and purchase their own small tree to plant, learning about sustainability and caring for the environment. Children thoroughly enjoy their play and develop a strong sense of belonging. They display their artwork, and photographs allow children to reflect on past events, such as the fun they had playing in the snow.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate exemplary behaviour; a willingness to share and cooperate, and confidently choose where to play. They use language to clarify thinking. For example, when looking at pictures of different fruit children are asked why they think it is an orange. They discuss colour, shape and form before deciding it is in fact a lemon. Children enjoy looking at books, listening to stories and mark-making to foster their emerging reading and writing skills. Problem solving and mathematical concepts are emphasised throughout play. Children compare the weight of two containers, one full and one half full with dried pasta. They innovatively use their imagination, cooking the pasta in a toy microwave and pressing the numbers displayed. Computers and programmable toys help children learn about information technology. Toys and the celebration of different festivals help children become aware of the diverse world in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent healthy lifestyles are adopted through extensive personal hygiene, healthy eating and varied physical exercise. Children know how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when going outside they instinctively hook the door open 'so it doesn't bang shut and hurt your fingers'. They learn about the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 emergency services, with visits from the local fire brigade, and practise fire evacuation and how to test smoke alarms. The childminder monitors the children’s progress and effectively uses a comprehensive colour coded system to record and track the children’s development, along with parental comments. The children’s initial profiles are based on parents completing ‘All about me’ documents, although these are not always fully linked to the areas of learning. However, the childminder's extensive knowledge about the children, the learning programme and

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and outcomes for children

provision of challenging activities help the children to flourish in her care. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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