Rooney, Hilary J

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 310684 Inspection date 22/06/2010 Inspector Lynne Naylor

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1985. She lives with her husband in Formby, Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The rear garden is available for outdoor play. There are no pets in this home.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to work with other childminders and assistants. She takes overall responsibility for the childminding practice and organises which days the co-childminders and assistants work. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three can be in the early years age range. When working with a co-childminder or with an assistant, all six children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and there are currently seven children in the early years age range on roll. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are eight children on this roll.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or transports children in a car to toddler groups and local schools. She supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is a member of an accredited childminder network.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Strong leadership and management and highly organised documentation supports the delivery of an outstanding service in which children's safety is of high priority. Highly effective partnerships between the childminder, co-childminders, parents and other agencies ensure children's unique needs are met. The childminder is dedicated to her role and shares her expert understanding of child development and wealth of skills with those she works with and others in the wider community. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and the capacity to sustain existing high standards.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 increase opportunities for children to experience learning outdoors in a variety of weathers, for example, by enhancing the outdoor provision.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through procedures that are robust, carefully managed and understood by all who work with the children. The childminder ensures that all the assistants working with the children are fully aware of their responsibility to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguard children and the written procedures to follow should they have any concerns. Comprehensive policies are implemented consistently and are effective for all those who attend. The childminder takes action to minimise any dangers in the home and garden. She works closely with her co-childminders to monitor the safety of the home, garden and outings and together they maintain a clear risk assessment record.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification and has a wealth of professional childcare experience. She keeps her skills and knowledge up-to-date in a variety of ways. Co-workers comment that she is an excellent mentor and inspires the staff team. She works exceptionally well with others and enables each person to bring their own strengths to the setting to improve outcomes for children. Children's care is enhanced by exceptional organisation and planning for continuous improvement. The childminder has maintained the strengths from the last inspection and has self-identified plans for further improvement. She plans, for instance, to provide a covered area in the garden so that children can experience learning outdoors in any weather. Children are heavily involved in self-evaluation by contributing their views about the service.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder takes the lead in planning, buying and cooking healthy meals, such as minced beef, potatoes and steamed vegetables. She has purposefully extended her home to increase and improve the quality of the space on the ground floor. The provision of a large toilet facility means the accommodation is suitable for wheelchair access. The addition of a permanently resourced play area means children can help themselves to high quality toys and books.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective and organises one-to-one support for children with disabilities so that no child is disadvantaged in making as much progress as they can. The quality of teaching and learning is high; therefore, children's outcomes are exceptionally high. The childminder observes children's activities and assesses their progress. This provides useful information to help her appropriately plan the next steps in children's learning. When planning activities, the childminder considers the interests and abilities of each child.

p.5

the early years provision

A strong commitment to equality and diversity is clearly evident. The childminder and co-childminders have an exceptional knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs and are highly effective in ensuring that all children are well integrated. There are well established channels of communication between all partners working with individual children, which successfully promote children's learning, development and welfare. The childminder organises staffing and facilitates visits from other agencies, such as specialist teachers. This excellent partnership working with parents and other agencies ensures each child receives high levels of support at an early stage.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children move freely around the ground floor of a clean and comfortable home. It is organised well to meet the care and learning needs of those attending and to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote their independence. The provision of suitable, and sometimes specialist, equipment enables children to rest or sleep comfortably, while being monitored for safety. The childminder continually reviews and takes account of recent research findings to build on her excellent practices and promote the welfare of the children. For example, she changed her brand of toothpaste following dental hygiene training. To prevent the spread of infection, each child has their own nappy changing mat, which is disinfected after use and after washing their hands. They dry their hands comfortably on soft paper towels that are thrown away. Children demonstrate their awareness of good hygiene practices as they catch

p.5

and outcomes for children

their sneezes and cover their mouths when coughing.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children clearly understand how to keep safe. They comment that scissors are stored higher up than the pencils so that babies cannot reach them. Also, they knows that sun cream is needed to keep your skin safe on a sunny day. Children exercise in the fresh air, which is good for their health, as they sit and ride on a range of wheeled toys, crawl through the tunnel in the garden, and go for walks in the local area. They are supported in developing balancing skills, such as walking on stringed pots.

p.6

and outcomes for children

One of the strengths of this setting is the way activities are well linked to promote learning in all areas. Activities are initiated by the child and extended by the childminder, or specifically planned to take account of children’s individual interests and help them take the next steps in their learning. For example, a child spontaneously makes a mobile phone by cutting an oblong shape from cardboard. Excellent verbal interaction by the childminder supports the child to draw and write the numerals on the phone and she introduces 'hash' as a new word to their vocabulary. The child plays imaginatively with the phone ringing a range of people, which demonstrates an understanding of technology.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they enjoy a range of outings. Children visit the garden centre to buy plants, for example strawberry, potato, carrot, lettuce and sunflowers. They explore light, colour and texture in the sensory room at the Children Centre. At a local farm, they touch a millipede and exercise on soft play equipment. The childminder interacts exceptionally well with the children, promoting their self-esteem and extending their vocabulary. Children listen carefully to sounds, such as an aeroplane flying overhead, the birds tweeting and the wood pigeons flapping their wings in the trees.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop exceptionally good skills for the future. They thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Children show that they know how to contribute as members of a complex community, through their acceptance of responsibility and their friendliness and care for each other. Opportunities to develop their communication, language and literacy skills are particularly strong as they interact well with both childminders. Children direct the childminder to read a large book as they act out the traditional tale using puppets and demonstrate excellent recall as they say the words written in speech bubbles. Mark making activities are readily available as children help themselves to crayons, pens and paper. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8