Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY410263 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and over 16 years in Greasby, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the first floor level. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are well cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, where the childminder knows the children very well and responds to their individual needs. Children are involved in a broad range of activities and experiences, both inside and outside the setting, which supports their progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has strong relationships with parents and provides a responsive and flexible service to each family. As a result, children's needs are well met and they are very settled. Some self-evaluation methods have been developed to ensure continuous improvement of this service but this does not adequately identify the strengths of the setting or areas for improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further develop the evaluation process to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the setting  develop systems to share information with other providers also providing care for children in the early years age range.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding. She is suitably trained to recognise that children may be at risk of harm and to liaise with appropriate agencies. She has attended recent safeguarding training. Policies, procedures and record keeping systems are exceptionally well maintained to ensure children are kept safe, protected and supported. Risk assessments are thoroughly completed to keep children safe on outings. In the home and garden, identified hazards are minimised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Good use is made of space in the home to provide a range of different activities and experiences. Resources are of good quality and used exceptionally well. This significantly supports children to achieve planned goals. Children have opportunities to be outside on a daily basis. The outdoor area in the setting has a variety of resources to provide opportunities for learning. Information about each

p.4

the early years provision

child's background, interests and abilities is used by the childminder to ensure learning experiences are tailored to each child's learning journey. The childminder has an excellent working relationship with parents. They exchange useful information every day, verbally and in writing. Children's work, photographs and written observations are beginning to demonstrate that each child is making good progress.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents receive clear and detailed information about the childminding practice, through a welcome pack and notice boards. They are well informed about their child's achievements and progress. Parents are invited to discuss their child's progress and agree their next steps for development. Effective working relationships with external agencies have not yet been developed sufficiently to ensure each child gets all the support needed. The childminder is strongly committed to improvement, and professional development. She holds childcare qualifications and attends further training and workshops to update her skills and knowledge.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder plans the educational programme to meet the needs of the children. She uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to make strong links between the activities and the learning outcomes for children, taking into account their ages and stages of development. Children enjoy using tools to be creative as they make patterns. They talk about colours and size and express themselves happily in songs, clapping and singing enthusiastically. The childminder makes good use of makaton to support early language skills and has introduced numico to support numbers. She uses observations of children's progress to identify the next steps in children's learning and enable the children to move on to the next stage of their learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

She knows the children well and makes effective use of themes and activities to help children learn new skills and to prepare them for new experiences. Children learn about and use numbers in their play. They count objects and begin to develop the good habits of an inquisitive learner, for example, by listening to and following simple instructions. A good range of resources is provided which support children's learning. Resources are freely available, allowing children to develop some independence in choosing what interests them. Children respond confidently to questions and enjoy chatting with each other as they play and have healthy meals together.

p.5

and outcomes for children

There are very good opportunities for children to learn about the world they live in. They go on outings in the local community where they shop for fresh fruit in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local shop. Their understanding of the wider world is promoted through the use of celebrations such as Chinese New Year. They are able to express their own ideas for what they want to do and to select activities for themselves. The childminder is on hand to offer encouragement and support when needed and to give praise for achievements. The children learn how to behave well, to share and play together. They are developing their social skills as they play together, share meal times and go on outings.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder makes effective use of daily routines to enable children to learn about being healthy and staying safe. They have regular opportunities to be physically active using the secure outside play area and outings. The childminder encourages healthy eating and independence in relation to personal hygiene. Children develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe because the childminder teaches them road safety and about hazards in the home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8