Jones, Stephanie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 954345 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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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 2000. She lives in Birkenhead, an area on the Wirral. The childminder cares for children in the home of her parents and works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes with the exception of the kitchen. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years when working alone and 12 children under eight years when working with another childminder. In total there are currently 24 children on roll, of whom 15 are in the early years age range. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and to local places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the Wirral Childminding Association. The childminder holds an National Vocational Qualification to Level 3 in childcare and education.

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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 provides a warm and welcoming environment for all children and their families. Detailed information from parents ensures that the childminder has a good understanding of the children's individual welfare needs. She has a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and interacts well with children to ensure they make good progress. Children are safeguarded due to the childminder's understanding of child protection issues and her ability to keep children safe. However, documentation relating to risk assessments does not currently meet with requirements. The childminder has made a positive start to the self-evaluation process and is able to identify her strengths and areas for future development.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record or risk assessment so that it clearly includes information on identified hazards, who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 07/02/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the systems of observation, assessment and planning to ensure these link to the areas of learning and encourage parents to contribute to them  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risk for outings and trips  develop further links with all other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to include sharing information about children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures and has detailed safeguarding policies in place which are shared with the parents. She has previously completed a safeguarding children training course which supports her knowledge of how to protect children and enables her to recognise the signs of possible abuse. Children are kept safe on the premises as the childminder has installed a range of features, such as, safety gates and socket covers. The childminder discusses how she conducts daily visual risk assessments on the premises, and she completes a safety checklist each month. However, the record of risk assessments carried out does not contain sufficient or robust information to fully ensure children's safety and this is a breach of regulations. Whilst the childminder takes good measures to protect children on outings and can fully explain the safety measures she employs. She has not updated the record of

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the early years provision

risk assessment to include those for outings and trips undertaken with the children.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the provision of a stimulating play environment, with interesting toys and activities set out on low tables or easily accessible on low shelves or in floor level storage boxes. The childminder makes good use of the available space in the home and takes children on a variety of outings to offer them a variety of play situations. She spends her time with them, enhancing their play by offering support and suggesting ideas. Children are encouraged to mix with each other and develop friendships, regardless of their backgrounds. Through using resources that reflect diversity, celebrating cultural festivals and recognising each others differences, children become more aware of their own community and the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides clear information about her setting for parents and carers. Parents have access to her policies and complete written contracts and consent forms. She exchanges information with them each day in conversation, and provides written information where required to ensure they are kept up-to- date with any care issues. The childminder is aware of the need to liaise closely with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage which children may attend. She has made strong partnerships with some providers, particularly those who are local to her. However, the childminder is yet to make links with other providers to enable her to fully complement children's learning. The childminder offers good support to children during their transition to school. All children are offered individual attention at times so that the childminder can respond to their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

individual needs. Parents express their positive views of the care provided for their children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is positive about self-evaluation and has started to formally reflect on her service by completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form. The views of parents and children are included in the evaluation process and changes have been implemented following their comments. The childminder is able to identify the strengths of the provision and some areas for improvement and discusses these with her co-childminder. Positive steps have been taken to develop the service and promote the outcomes for children, such as, identifying and planning to attend further training.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. Together with her co-childminder, she has created stimulating, welcoming designated playrooms and provides children with sensitive and age-appropriate support. The close relationship between the childminder and the children is a strength of the setting. The childminder offers the children comfort, cuddles and positive praise consistently throughout the day and children's individual needs are well met, with regard to their personal routines for sleep and meals. The childminder has a sound understanding of how children learn and provides resources that encourage an enthusiasm and motivation for learning. Activities are planned according to children's interests and abilities and she is establishing a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities across all areas of learning. The childminder records her observations of children's learning and development. However, this system is not

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and outcomes for children

fully developed to ensure that children's individual learning is linked specifically to the areas of learning or to actively encourage parents to contribute to their child's learning journey.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is conducive to children's learning and development because the childminder provides them with a good range of freely accessible resources. This means they have opportunities to make choices about what they would like to play with. During activities the childminder supports children's learning appropriately as she encourages them and asks questions to make them think. The childminder encourages children's confidence and self-esteem by enthusiastically praising them and making them feel valued. She uses flower petals on a chart to enhance behaviour management techniques, for example, when encouraging children to share. Children learn important social skills and good manners, as they regularly go on outings with the childminder and co-childminder. They particularly enjoy visiting the local parks and adventure play ground, where they engage in ball games, enjoy the free space to run around and develop their climbing and balancing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children also enjoy developing their interest in books; they can self-select books to look at alone, or pass these to the childminder who reads to them. A designated and comfortable book area encourages the children to frequently access and spend time looking at both fictional and non-fictional books. A weekly trip to the library further develops children's enjoyment of literacy. Children develop their numeracy and problem solving skills by singing number rhymes, completing puzzles and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 counting in everyday play situations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides children with support that enables them to begin to understand how to keep themselves safe from harm. For example, they learn about road safety and stranger danger when out with the childminder. She provides each child with a wrist band containing her contact number to further ensure their safety. Children are adopting healthy lifestyles as the childminder provides them with healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. These are home cooked and contain fresh produce, such as, meat and vegetables. Children's independence is promoted as they are encouraged to feed themselves from a very young age, using small sized cutlery. The childminder has established good systems to help children stay healthy with regard to keeping the environment clean and implementing procedures to prevent cross-infection. For example, the children are learning that they must wash their hands after toileting and they use

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and outcomes for children

antibacterial soap and individual flannels. Children develop skills for the future as they use age-appropriate information and communication technology. They are beginning to learn about environmental issues as they help to recycle household items, such as, newspapers, use cardboard boxes to make models and grow their on vegetables such as carrots. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Records to be kept) 07/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Records to be kept) 07/02/2011

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