Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405524 Inspection date 30/09/2010 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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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 was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and adult son in Runcorn. The main lounge and conservatory on the ground floor are used for childminding and the only areas upstairs that may be used are the bathroom and master bedroom. Access to the house is via a high step, but the childminder will always make alternative access arrangements via the rear of the house as required. There is a fully enclosed rear garden which is used for outdoor play. The family has a small dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder also works with an assistant and the provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also cares for children before and after school and has begun to develop links with the teaching staff of the schools the children attend.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed required basic childminding training.

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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 safe and welcoming environment. Children are relaxed and settled in an inclusive environment where their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has developed a working partnership with the parents of the children she is asked to care for and has begun to extend this partnership with other providers within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has identified some areas for improvement, however, she is in the early stages of developing systems to evaluate and develop all areas of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation and assessment process to clearly indicate the children's starting points and next steps in their learning and use this information to inform future planning  extend the risk assessment documentation to ensure it covers all areas accessed by the children and practise fire drills with the children to ensure they are aware of the emergency evacuation procedures  develop further the use of self-evaluation to reflect on what has been accomplished so far and to identify and address areas for improvement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a written safeguarding children policy, which complies with current guidance and details the procedures that will be followed should she have any concerns about a child in her care. She shares all her policies with parents prior to care commencing thus ensuring they are aware of her responsibility regarding child protection.

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the early years provision

Children play safely in the designated areas of the childminder's home and also in the fully enclosed designated outdoor play area. She has taken many steps both inside and out to ensure children's safety. For example when on outings she always has wrist straps or reins for the younger children and indoors she has a safety gate fitted across the kitchen doorway and has protected unused electrical sockets with dummy plugs. The childminder has devised an evacuation plan for use in an emergency, however she has not yet practised that with the children currently being cared for. Written risk assessment documentation has been prepared to cover the different venues the childminder takes the children to, however it does not fully cover all the areas of the house and garden which are accessed by the children.

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the early years provision

On a daily basis children access a very varied range of activities and experiences and the childminder has begun to observe, assess and record each child's progress and development. The assessment records however do not identify the children's starting points although the childminder has started to identify the next steps in their learning. The childminder provides an inclusive setting and ensures the individual needs of each child cared for are fully met. During the pre-admission discussion with the parents the childminder gains information about the language children and their families speak at home plus their religion and cultural needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder was able to identify not only some strengths in her childminding practices, but has also begun to identify areas for improvement within her setting. The childminder has begun to develop a working partnership with other early years providers, for example the local school and playgroups the children may attend. She gains information about what they are involved with at school or playgroup and then provides activities that will further develop their skills in those activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework which she uses to ensure that the available resources and planned activities cover the six areas of learning. The childminder recognises the importance of play and ensures that she provides a balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. The childminder engages the children in conversation as they participate in their chosen activities. For example as they look through a book she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talks to them about the different characters or objects in that book. They use puppets to further develop children's communication and listening skills. In a simple baking activity children's problem solving and numeracy skills are promoted through the weighing and measuring of ingredients.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They are encouraged to share and take turns as they play with different games and puzzles. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which all parents receive a copy of as part of their information pack. The childminder is a good role model for the children as she speaks courteously to them at all times.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise and the childminder ensures this is a part in their daily activity programme. She takes them to many different places of interest, sometimes using the car to reach the chosen venue. For example children enjoy going to Runcorn Hill or to the beach and here children can collect shells or leaves which they may choose to use in the art and craft work. The childminder ensures that all children are given praise and encouragement as they succeed in completing a puzzle or pieces of art work, thus raising their self-esteem. Children play in the garden at the rear of the house and during the summer months they tried their skills at planting and growing. They are made aware of possible dangers outside of the childminder's home or their own as they learn about road safety as they go out and about with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has some resources which reflect the needs of others in not only their own community but also in the wider world, and the activity programme includes planned activities which explore and highlight the differing needs of other people and children. The childminder, for example celebrates and acknowledges different cultural festivals and some of her resources address issues relating to the physical abilities of adults and children. 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 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: 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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