Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY412405 Inspection date 24/11/2010 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 was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, five and two years. The family live in Meols, Wirral, close to shops, parks, school and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house plus the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on 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

The childminder is enthusiastic about her work and consequently offers a warm, welcoming and inclusive service. Children are very happy, settled and secure with the childminder who provides them with a safe, comfortable and welcoming home environment. All children are fully valued and supported very well by the childminder. She demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs, interests and abilities to ensure they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to training and development to support ongoing improvements. She has begun to reflect on her practice and complete self-evaluation documentation.

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further?

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

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further?

 refine the self-evaluation system to better enable identification of priorities for the future  enhance resources by introducing a variety of natural objects and materials to extend children's sensory and tactile exploration and investigation.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes a committed approach to childminding and the safeguarding of children. She provides detailed policies and procedures that promote a safe and secure environment to support and ensure children's safety and welfare. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the procedures to follow with regard to child protection. She ensures she keeps up-to-date through attending training in this area. She has up-to-date training in first aid and a fully stocked first This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aid box to enable her to confidently deal with first aid emergencies. All required records are in place and a number of comprehensive written risk assessments help to ensure that the children play in safe, clean surroundings and are safe during outings. All required documentation is in place, and is produced to a good standard, regularly updated and available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service. Space and resources are very well organised to encourage children's play and independence. For example, low-level labelled storage units enhance the children's ability to make choices. A variety of good quality resources are available for the children. However, these do not fully challenge children's tactile or sensory explorations as they consist predominately of manufactured toys. The childminder is proactive in her willingness to attend training to increase her knowledge and improve the quality of her service. She has implemented a number of changes to her service since her registration which enhances children's knowledge and skills for the future. For example, the increase of resources that reflect difference and diversity, the use of the toy library and the recycling of resources. The childminder has systems in place for the ongoing self- evaluation of the service which reflect very well the changes she has made to her

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the early years provision

service since registration. However, the systems for the ongoing identification and prioritising of plans for the future of the service are not as fully developed.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good relationships that the childminder has established with their parents. There is a good two-way exchange of information in the form of daily discussions and diaries that give an overview of children's progress, achievements and welfare, and is extended to include other carers as necessary. Parents' views are sought regularly and their feedback is valued by the childminder and used to make adjustments. The childminder takes a genuine interest in children's home lives and uses information that parents provide to ensure that strategies are consistent and tailored to each families needs. Parents comment that they are delighted with the care that their children receive. In particular, they value the excellent meals, diaries and newsletters.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. She is warm, gentle and caring and children respond very well to her approach. Her enthusiasm for her work with the children is obvious and this helps them to feel relaxed and comfortable. The childminder knows the children well; she has taken time to gather good information from parents which enables her to plan activities which they enjoy. The childminder has good systems in place to support children's learning and development. These include observations of each child and the identification of their next steps in learning which then inform future planning. Learning journey books which record the children's learning through photographs and written observations are in place for each child. Routines are flexible to ensure they reflect the children's ongoing interests and ideas.

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and outcomes for children

Children spend their time purposefully and develop good social skills as they play alongside and cooperate with other children, both at the house and at toddler This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 groups. The childminder provides lots of praise and encouragement, which boosts their self-esteem. Children are learning responsible behaviour as they are encouraged to share toys and take turns. This is reflected through their good behaviour, which is managed in a caring and sensitive way by the childminder. The childminder provides very good support for children's emotional well-being, ensuring their concerns and needs are fully supported.

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and outcomes for children

Careful consideration is given to making sure that children feel confident when communicating their views and needs and the childminder listens attentively to their requests which assists in extending their language development. Children enjoy outdoor play daily and learn to wrap up warm before playing in the garden. They thoroughly enjoy digging in the sand, throwing balls and manoeuvring the sit and ride toys. Children display their understanding of the wider world during role play activities and while playing with small world toys, such as, the vehicles and figures of people who help us. In addition to regular outings in the community, children's awareness of diversity is promoted through craft activities related to various cultures and festivals.

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and outcomes for children

Drinks are readily available for the children in age-appropriate cups and beakers to ensure they remain hydrated. Children learn good hygiene routines and are taught to wash their hands appropriately, for example, before meals and after using the bathroom. The provision of separate hand towels limits the risk of cross-infection. Children learn about healthy food as they are given fresh fruit at snack time and feast on the fruit and vegetables which they sow and tend. Children are able to feel safe through the warm relationship they have with the childminder. They are learning the importance of keeping themselves safe through routine activities and engaging in road safety week activities. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised to enable children to become aware of what to do in the event of an emergency. 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 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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