Childminder in Sefton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY336362 Inspection date 05/10/2010 Inspector Denise Sixsmith

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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 assesses 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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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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years in Formby, Merseyside, close to shops, parks, school and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the house, including a downstairs toilet are used for childminding. Sleeping facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years old. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to local parks, libraries and other places of interest 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

The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children are valued and their individual needs are met appropriately. Clear policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. However, not all required information from parents has been obtained resulting in a breach of regulation. The childminder is valued by parents and has developed strong links with them ensuring children receive good continuity in their care. Children are happy and feel safe and content in the childminders care. They are making sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a positive approach to self-evaluation and the ongoing improvement of the service she provides.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that the following is obtained from parents in advance of a child being admitted; information as to who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 19/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 refine current systems to enable consistent tracking and assessment of each child's achievements to better identify learning priorities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  build on the current system to further develop the flow of information of children's learning and development with other providers of the Early Years Foundation stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are safeguarded appropriately. She has updated her documentation to include action to be taken in the event of safeguarding allegations being made. Parents are made aware of the childminder's responsibilities to safeguard and promote children's welfare through her written policies. The childminder is aware of the action she should take if she has any concerns about the children in her care. Children are supervised directly and suitability checks have been carried out on the childminder and her husband at the childminder's initial registration. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the required policies and procedures, and these are used appropriately to promote children's welfare and safety. Children play safely indoors because the childminder has installed safety features, such as a fire blanket, safety gates and socket covers. Clear written risk assessments are in place for the

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the early years provision

premises and for outings. The majority of required records for the well-being of children are in place and maintained well. However, information regarding parental responsibility and legal contact is not in place which is a breach of requirements. The childminder has attended first aid training and has a first aid box to ensure that she can confidently deal with minor accidents.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a well-organised, spacious clean and homely environment. They access the whole of the ground floor enabling them to move freely and make their own choices from the good selection of toys and equipment. Bright learning posters and displays of the children's art work in the play rooms provide the children with a sense of belonging and inclusion.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation document. Although she has identified some areas for ongoing development and improvement she is aware that this still needs further consideration. The childminder has completed the action raised at the last inspection and started to address the recommendations to improve outcomes for children. Some progress has been made with the development of systems to enable the sharing of information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage for children in the childminders her care. However, due to the short time scale available for this development the systems are not fully developed or robust.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good trusting relationships with parents over the time that she has cared for their children. She ensures that children's individual needs are noted prior to them starting with her and that these are met on a daily basis. Parents are well-informed of their children's day through discussion and a daily diary that includes welfare information and notes of how children have spent their time. This point has been commented on favourably by parents through their testimonials. Parents state that their children are very happy with their childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and that this is very important to them as parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is comfortable, welcoming and well-maintained to provide a child-orientated homely environment. Older children have the opportunity to develop their independence when helping to prepare the snack for the younger children, independently going to the toilet and washing their hands. All children make choices from the good selection of age-appropriate resources and activities, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder incorporates children's interests and ideas into the daily activities and all children are valued and encouraged to take part. Planned visits to groups and places of interest enhance the children's experiences of the wider world and provide opportunities for the development of their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their play and are making steady progress in their learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage while they are in the care of the childminder. They play and move around confidently in the two play rooms and the living room, where they are kept warm, comfortable and safe. The activities provided are enjoyable, with ongoing observations and the identification of the next steps for the children by the childminder. However, the systems for monitoring the balance across the areas of learning and the tracking of the children's progress towards the early learning goals are not yet fully developed. Language development and counting are incorporated into everyday activities to assist children to gain skills for the future. They thoroughly enjoy rolling squashing and making snails and rainbows with the coloured play dough as well as creating patterns. Action songs are a particular favourite with the children as they touch

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and outcomes for children

their eyes and noses and wind up the bobbin while having big smiles on their faces. Outdoor play enables the children to develop their learning, for example, they learn to wrap up warm, find a snail, manoeuvre the sit and ride toys and use the slide. Through activities and use of appropriate images and resources, children learn to respect and value others. For example, they play with small world figures which represent differing physical abilities, look at the map to see where Ireland is and celebrate Chinese New Year.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed very well through age-appropriate strategies. The childminder uses praise, which promotes children's confidence so they feel good about themselves and what they do. This positive reinforcement and the childminder's patient support encourages children to learn right from wrong and promotes sharing and turn taking. Children learn to stay safe when they are indoors because of the house safety rules which assist children in developing safe behaviour for themselves and others. Safety equipment is used on outings and the childminder ensures that she talks to the children about road safety. Children practise a fire drill evacuation from the house to ensure that they can act appropriately in an emergency. They learn to lead healthy lifestyles because the childminder ensures that they enjoy time exercising as they play outdoors in the fresh air and plant vegetables in the small allotment area. The childminder ensures

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that the children have ready access to drinks to ensure that they remain hydrated and refreshed, especially after exercise or sleep. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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