Rigby Anita

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 322290 Inspection date 21/01/2011 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 1997. She lives with her husband, adult son and teenage daughter ,aged 15, in a terraced house in the Old Swan area of Liverpool. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the premises. A tortoise is kept at the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an Advanced Certificate in Childminding Practice and a recognised childcare qualification at level 3 and 4. She is also a member of the local childminder network group and has an accredited quality assurance award. The childminder 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 nine children on roll, three of whom are within the early years age group. They all attend on a part-time basis.

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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 home. The uniqueness of each one is valued highly and meticulous attention is paid to finding out about and meeting their individual needs. Children's safety and welfare is promoted with great care and documentation is maintained to a very good standard overall. Children are offered a great range of exciting activities, which they take part in with great enthusiasm, and as a result, they make excellent progress given their age, ability and starting points. The highest priority is given to working in partnership with parents and to monitoring and evaluating the quality of the service. This ensures the outcomes for children are continually enhanced to a very high standard in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving the recording of any medication administered to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to safeguarding the children in her care. She has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all issues relating to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child protection and follows meticulous procedures to ensure the children remain safe. For example, a record of any visitors to the home is maintained and the children are never left alone in their presence. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring the children are offered a very safe environment in which to play. For example, highly effective weekly safety assessments are carried out and any identified risks minimised very successfully. The childminder has devised comprehensive policies and procedures which she follows meticulously and all documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the service is in place. This is maintained to a very good standard overall. For example, the

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the early years provision

attendance register is situated in the entrance and completed as soon as the children arrive and leave. A record is kept of any medication administered to the children, however, this does not detail the actual time it was given.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home extremely well, with an abundance of the children's art work, posters and photographs adorning the walls of the play room. This provides a rich and stimulating environment that is very conducive to the children's learning. A very good range of toys and resources are available for the children to choose from, including 'grab and go' boxes to support their learning outdoors. These contain resources, such as magnifying glasses and specimen jars, to enable the children to observe any mini beasts they may find. The childminder is meticulous in monitoring and evaluating her service, with the parents and children fully involved in the process. She is highly committed to improving her practice through training and since her last inspection she has gained a childcare qualification at level 4. The childminder is highly receptive to the children's changing learning needs and continually purchases additional resources to support

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the early years provision

these. She very accurately targets areas for future improvement. For example, plans are in place to improve the access to the home for children who may have physical disabilities.

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the early years provision

Promoting equality and diversity is at the heart of the childminder's practice. She knows each child very well and meticulously meets their care and learning needs. For example, she has excellent links with the local school nursery which some of the children also attend, with staff providing her with detailed information about the targets they have set for the children. The childminder then skilfully links these into her planning. The childminder knows the local area very well and is very well- informed about of the needs of the community. For example, she is the representative for parents and childcare providers at a focus group at the local Children's Centre. The childminder gives the highest priority to engaging with parents. They receive a wealth of valuable information when the placement begins, ensuring they are fully informed of all aspects of the service. Detailed daily diaries, which include photographs of the children at play, are provided and these are used

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the early years provision

as a very effective two-way communication tool. Written testimonials show all parents value the childminder highly, with comments such as, they find the childminder very kind and approachable and that they cannot recommend her highly enough. 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 has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She meticulously plans the activities she offers and keeps very detailed and accurate records to track the children's progress. This ensures that each child receives the support they need and that there are no gaps in their learning. The childminder has an extremely warm and caring approach, ensuring each child feels very safe and secure in her care. She very skilfully interacts with the children as they play and they delight in her involvement. For example, they become fully immersed in acting out domestic situations and they delight in making meals for her with the play food. The childminder actively encourages the children to make marks and to learn about numerals. For example, they use wipe boards to draw pictures and even the very young ones attempt to write the letter their name begins with. They confidently and accurately count how many items of

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and outcomes for children

fruit they have and show immense curiosity as they observe pretend insects through a magnifying glass. This clearly demonstrates they are developing excellent skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children extremely successfully in developing their confidence and self-esteem. She acknowledges their efforts with an abundance of praise and actively encourages them to take on responsibility and to become independent. As a result, the children's behaviour is exemplary. They readily help to tidy away the toys and proudly show the wrist band they receive as a result. The children have valuable opportunities to learn about the wider world and their own community. For example, photographs show them meeting the Lord Mayor on World Book Day and thoroughly enjoying a visit to the nearby zoo. Each week they attend the local childminder group which enables them to socialise with others and to take part in exciting activities which raise their awareness of diversity. For example, joining in with Indian dancing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder pays excellent attention to ensuring the children adopt a healthy lifestyle and that they learn to manage their own risks. Great emphasis is placed on healthy eating. The children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks and are fully involved in preparing these. They grow their own fruit and vegetables on a community allotment and photographs show them fully immersed in helping to make salads and smoothies. The children enjoy robust physical exercise as they go for walks each day, attend music and movement sessions and as they use various equipment at the local parks, all of which, enables them to develop very good control of their bodies. The children have an excellent understanding of the importance hand washing which plays in helping to keep them healthy. They know to use soap during the process and they confidently identify which is their towel in the bathroom. The childminder ensures the children fully understand how to keep

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and outcomes for children

themselves safe when out in the community. For example, when using public transport, such as buses, she carefully explains why the children must remain seated until it stops. The children routinely practice the emergency evacuation procedures for the home and their understanding of fire safety is enhanced greatly through visits to the local fire station. 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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