Rafferty, Gillian

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 310672 Inspection date 14/01/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

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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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in a detached house in the Maghull area of Liverpool. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities situated on this level. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play to the rear of the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently eight children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age group. Their attendance is a mix of full and part-time places.

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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

Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming and child-orientated environment where the uniqueness of each one is recognised, valued highly and very carefully nurtured. An excellent range of activities are offered, both in the home and the local environment, which support children's learning and development with great success. As a result, they make rapid progress given their age, ability and starting points. Excellent relationships are established and maintained with all parents ensuring highly effective channels of communication are promoted. The childminder demonstrates a tenacious approach to evaluating and continually improving her service, with children and parents fully involved in the process.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further the system for assessing children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities in regards to safeguarding children and child protection issues. She is extremely confident in discussing the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures for making a referral are displayed for both the childminder's and the parent's reference. Robust risk assessments are carried out on all areas of the home and for any outings. These are recorded in great detail, showing how any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hazards to children's safety are effectively minimised. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the highly effective management of the service and all documentation is meticulously maintained. The childminder's home is organised extremely effectively and offers two play rooms, one of which is dedicated to the older children. Posters, photographs and a wealth of examples of the children's

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the early years provision

work are displayed, showing their efforts are valued highly and making the environment, bright, stimulating and very conducive to learning. An excellent range of resources are available and the children delight in freely choosing items they would like to play with.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to promoting equality and diversity and this is a real strength of the setting. Copious amounts of valuable information is gathered from parents before the placement begins, enabling the childminder to accurately establish the children's starting points in their learning, and meet their individual care routines. The childminder is totally committed to supporting children who may have disabilities, with very close collaborative working with parents and other professionals ensuring their needs are meticulously met. The childminder is highly successful in helping the children to learn about the wider world and the cultures and beliefs of others. For example, a wealth of resources are readily available that promote positive images of diversity and photographs show the children fully immersed in a range of exciting activities as they celebrate the Chinese New Year.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent approach to self-evaluation and is committed to continually improving her service. For example, she determinedly achieves the targets she sets herself in terms of her personal development, such as successfully undertaking an in-depth computer course and a level 3 childcare qualification. The childminder develops excellent relationships with all parents. They receive information of a very good quality and are kept fully informed of the children's learning. This enables them to initiate the same activities at home and to share in the pleasure the children gain from these. Through questionnaires and daily chats parents are able to actively share their views of the service, with any concerns being addressed immediately. Parents' comments clearly show they hold the childminder in the highest regard. Highly effective links are established with the providers of any other settings the children also attend, such as the local school

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the early years provision

nursery. The reciprocal sharing of information is excellent and the childminder is always invited to share in any special events the children are involved in, which she delights in doing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the different ways in which children learn and develop. She meticulously plans a range of interesting learning opportunities that are tailored to the children's individual needs and is highly successful in supporting all areas of their development. Detailed records are kept of the children's progress, however, the childminder does not consistently record when the children's next steps have been This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achieved.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very enthusiastic in her approach which motivates the children to take part in the activities. As a result, they make excellent progress and develop very valuable skills for the future. The childminder is very skilful in interacting with the children, making the activities fun whilst extending and challenging their learning. For example, the younger children become fully immersed as the childminder shares books with them. She explains to them who wrote the book and reads with lots of expression. The children enthusiastically follow her lead, clearly recreating the sounds of the animals they see and carefully helping to turn the pages. They show curiosity as they lift the flaps and laugh with delight as they discover what is underneath.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an extremely patient and caring manner and constantly uses praise to raise the children's self-esteem. As a result, their behaviour is exemplary. For example, from an early age they spontaneously help to tidy away the toys after use and the older ones set the table at meal times. The childminder makes excellent use of treasure baskets to enable the younger children to make sense of the world through exploring a range of textures in an open-ended way. For example, the children show sustained concentration as they discover what sounds can be made as they strike metal objects with wooden spoons. The children have access to a very good range of role play resources which they use to confidently recreate domestic situations. For example, they put on their chef's hat and confidently use the play toaster as they make meals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides very valuable opportunities for the children to discover what their local community has to offer. For example, each week they visit various toddler and childminder groups where they take part in craft activities and socialise with others. They use different forms of transport, such as the bus and ferry, and make weekly visits to the library. The childminder pays excellent attention to ensuring children follow a healthy lifestyle. They play out in the garden or visit the local park each day to develop their physical skills, and they learn to take care of their bodies. For example, the younger ones confidently and independently use a cloth to clean their hands before eating and the children routinely brush their teeth after lunch. The children have valuable practical opportunities to learn about sourcing food. For example, photographs show them selecting and paying for items of fruit at the local farm shop. They grow their own seasonal vegetables in

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and outcomes for children

the garden, such as potatoes, which they enjoy as part of their meals. The childminder is meticulous in helping children to manage their own risks and their personal safety. For example, they have a very secure knowledge of what they should do in the event of a fire because they practise the emergency evacuation procedures for the home meticulously each week. The childminder sensitively raises children's awareness of 'stranger danger' and they know the codes for working together, such as ensuring 'safe hands and feet'. 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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