Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY297930 Inspection date 20/09/2010 Inspector Jean Thomas

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and child aged 14 years in Cronton, Cheshire. The whole of the house, except for three bedrooms on the first floor level, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom not more than three may be in the early years age groups at any one time. She is currently minding six children in this age group. The childminder cares for older children. The childminder takes children to parks, playgroups and local places of interest on a regular basis. She accesses Local Authority support and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a pet dog.

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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

The childminder is an extremely dedicated and committed practitioner. Children benefit immensely from her understanding and implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage to effectively promote their individual learning and development. The childminder provides a fully inclusive and welcoming setting in which children are happy and flourish. Highly effective partnerships are established with parents and other professionals in supporting children. The evaluation systems are effective to ensure the continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for children's mark making to support their understanding of writing for a purpose.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to safeguarding children. She has completed training to ensure her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues is accurate to effectively implement the Local Authorities safeguarding procedures. Parents are made fully aware of her responsibility to protect children from harm. This is achieved through issuing them with her written safeguarding policy, discussion and displaying specific information. The childminder has completed comprehensive documented risk assessments for the provision and for each type This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of outing. She has also carried out thorough research on the safety of products she uses and accesses information from organisations, such as the Child Accident Prevention to inform practice and to minimise hazards. The childminder has been awarded the highest acknowledgement from Government health agency stating

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the early years provision

she has gone beyond the legal requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder continues to attend a wide range of additional training opportunities, using new skills effectively to improve the childcare practice. For example, following training on empathy dolls, she has introduced a doll which is used to help children to understand their emotions. The childminder is continually assessing her own practice and is looking for ways to improve her provision further. Purposeful systems for evaluating the provision are in place, including parental questionnaires.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly skilled in providing a rich environment full of opportunities and activities which children thoroughly enjoy. In this inclusive learning environment the childminder ensures the resources are accessible to all children. The storage of play materials is exceptionally well organised to support children's independent selection. The storage boxes and units are clearly labelled using text and pictures to identify their contents. Children attending on a part time basis have equal opportunities in experiencing the wide range of activities. For example, the morning baking activity is repeated for the children who are present during the afternoon. Children benefit from a vast array of resources and activities to extend their understanding and tolerance of people who are different to themselves and the wider world. For example, the childminder has made numeral wall displays which show the corresponding Chinese characters.

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the early years provision

Superb relationships are fostered with parents and other professionals. The childminder provides parents with a wealth of information about the setting, ensuring they are fully informed about the care children received. Meticulous records and photographs of observations, planning and routines are shared with parents. Progress records are collated in children's individual learning journal and are used to inform planning. Parents contribute to these records as they work in close partnership with the childminder to enhance their child's learning and development. This relationship is forged by the childminder as soon as the arrangement commences. Together they establish the child's starting points which form the base line for the individual planning. Parents comment very highly about the provision and one parent summed up their positive views in saying 'it is the childminder's attention to detail which makes all the difference to children's

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the early years provision

progress and enjoyment'. The childminder works closely with other professionals who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds. This has positive results in supporting aspects of children's learning and development. The childminder has made transition books which she completes with parents and the children when they leave to go to school. This effective communication assists continuity in children's learning at their new setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning and development highly effectively. Her enthusiasm in delivering the quality of her provision significantly impacts on ensuring excellent outcomes for children. Children thrive at this setting and they eagerly and confidently play with purpose. They are extremely happy and have a close and affectionate relationship with the childminder. She is fully conversant with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The skillfully planned activities ensure that the children's learning is balanced across the six areas of learning. Letters, sounds and mathematical concepts are very well promoted through daily experiences and activities. Children have regular opportunities to develop pencil control and mark- making. However, mark-making is not widely incorporated in different activities, such as role play to further enhance children's understanding of writing for a purpose. The childminder values the outdoor provision as an essential part of the

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and outcomes for children

children's daily environment. She is fully aware that some children prefer the stimulus of being outside and she uses this as their learning area. Children confidently move between the indoor and outdoor areas, transferring resources as their self-initiated play ideas develop.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inquisitive, they question and explore. The use of resources, such as magnifying glasses and torches, enhance their curiosity and desire to investigate. Children have the confidence to use their imagination and select resources to support their play. The childminder encourages children to 'have a go' themselves to solve problems and become independent, for example securing the trailer to the play truck. They express their delight when they are successful and are given lots of praise from the childminder. The children are confident and articulate speakers; they initiate conversation and express their views. They are inspired by the story 'the hungry caterpillar' and use newly learnt vocabulary in their play. They creatively use the play tunnel as a chrysalis and incorporate this word in their discussion about their play plan. They crawl inside the tunnel and emerge pretending to be butterflies. They dance around using their arms as wings and

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and outcomes for children

describe the different speeds of their movements. From an early age children learn to use the computer. The childminder introduces children to the different uses of the technology. Using a computer programme they revisit the story of the hungry caterpillar on the computer screen with the childminder reading the text and the children assisting with the keypad controls. Children are developing an extremely positive attitude towards learning which will significantly impact on their future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The children are developing an excellent understanding of the importance of a healthy life style. They complete hand washing procedures without prompt from the childminder after messy play and before eating. Children understand that fruit and vegetables help to make them strong and to grow. Planned activities, discussion and children's involvement in food preparation helps them learn about a healthy life style. The childminder provides a varied and nutritionally balanced diet for the children. Children are actively learning about sustainability as they sort out items which can be recycled. These are either placed in the appropriate bin or used if suitable in other activities, such as junk modelling. Children grow seeds and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 plant flowers, which they nurture and water further developing their understanding of the importance of the environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary; they are extremely well behaved and considerate towards others. They use manners without prompt and obviously enjoy the company of each other. The childminder is an excellent role model. The childminder strongly respects the uniqueness of each child and nurtures their self- confidence by showing them genuine respect in what they do and say. 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 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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