Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344086 Inspection date 20/07/2010 Inspector Anne Drinkwater

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged four and six years, in the Grappenhall area of Warrington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to two bedrooms and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a guinea pig and chickens as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children, on a part time basis, in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over eight years to 11 years. In total there are seven children on roll. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children play in a child-friendly environment, where they are very well supported in their learning and development. The Early Years Foundation Stage framework is implemented effectively. The childminder works successfully with parents and most other professionals, sharing information so that children’s all-round, individual needs are met. Children's general welfare, health and safety are enhanced by effective practice and written policies and procedures. The childminder continually works hard to drive improvement, as she is highly committed to developing her knowledge and therefore strives to provide a very good service for children and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on the existing good partnership working by inviting parents to share their children’s initial starting points on entry  develop further the systems for linking with all providers of Early Years Foundation Stage, to ensure continuity and consistency of learning needs for all children who attend these other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems in place to ensure children are safeguarded; she has the required knowledge of child protection issues, to ensure children's well-being is fully maintained. She is well aware of the possible signs of child neglect and abuse. She is confident in knowing what to do if she has concerns This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about a child, or if there is a complaint against her, so that children are effectively safeguarded. All documentation for accident recording, medication administration and emergency medical consent is in place, which further promotes children’s welfare.

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the early years provision

Children are closely supervised and ratios are fully maintained. The childminder provides a homely environment where children's safety is paramount. Comprehensive risk assessments have been established for all areas used by the children within the family home, and for all outings into the community. Good arrangements have been established to ensure children's safety on outings and to encourage their awareness of their own safety. For instance, each child has an individual card which includes contact numbers and any relevant information to ensure children are cared for appropriately in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well motivated and enthusiastic. Since her last inspection she has updated her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage through regular training events. The childminder has high aspirations and a strong commitment to ongoing improvement. She is rigorous in her self-evaluation and acknowledges the ideas and suggestions of the parents. She is committed to continuous improvement; she uses the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively to record and monitor children’s progress, and acts on parental feedback.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge about equality and diversity. She has a good awareness about how she would include any children who have English as an additional language and any who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. She constantly adapts her provision to meet the needs of the children, in order to provide an environment that is conducive to learning. For example, children are actively involved in contributing to the displays and house rules within the home. Toys and resources are frequently rotated and purchased to accommodate children's interests, age and stage of development. Secure relationships have been established and children are able to make decisions about their learning and development. Daily diaries ensure parents are kept informed about how their child has done during the day. Parents are asked to contribute to the setting's evaluation and planning; they also receive a regular newsletter and

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the early years provision

daily verbal information. The childminder also asks parents to complete questionnaires, so she can obtain their views about the care she is providing. The written policies and procedures are easily accessible for all parents. Parents' comments are very positive and complimentary about the childminder, the care she provides and how happy their children are.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts with the children warmly, she shows great care and affection towards all children and offers plenty of praise and encouragement, and reassurance to any that need it. The childminder has a good knowledge of the children through consistent and highly effective communication with parents and most other early years providers. The children are provided with an abundant range of high quality toys and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources and are able to make independent decisions about their play. For example, the childminder frequently asks the children what activities they would like to engage in. Children are becoming skilful communicators as the childminder consistently listens and responds to them. The childminder plans a range of activities related to interesting topics, which includes all children. For example, while an older child develops his small muscle skills with small building bricks, a

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and outcomes for children

young baby is offered textures. The children chat away, sing spontaneously and are very confident in their surroundings, demonstrating that they feel safe and have a good sense of belonging. Their creativity is encouraged through involvement in a variety of age-appropriate craft activities, such as painting and creating colourful pictures using different painting techniques. The childminder asks lots of relevant questions that make children think, respond and recall events. There is a good range of interactive, electronic equipment for babies and pre- school children to use, which they know how to work, thus helping them to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes time at the beginning of the placement to record observations of what the children can do, however, this process does not give parents the opportunity to share their children's initial starting points on entry. That said, the good planning and careful daily organisation ensures all children are actively engaged, as activities are matched according to each child’s age and stage of development. The childminder has developed effective systems for observing children and assessing their progress. She successfully uses this information to help plan stimulating activities which ensure children are well supported and able to develop to their full potential. Children are progressing well in all areas of learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles; they are provided with healthy snacks and meals and the childminder has a good awareness of how to meet any dietary needs, should children have any. They enjoy the outdoor space and are given many opportunities to learn about growing, planting and healthy eating. Children enjoy planting vegetables and understand they can grow these to eat. Their love of animals develops as they collect the chicken eggs and feed the guinea pig. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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