Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 323069 Inspection date 08/02/2011 Inspector Jean Thomas

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and one child aged over 16 years in the Newton-Le-Willows area of St. Helens. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the first floor level. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two pet cats. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and preschools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, and who attend on a part time basis. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She accesses Local Authority support.

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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's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and its underlying principles is used effectively to support children's good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides a welcoming and enabling environment where children's uniqueness is respected. The partnerships with parents and others have a positive impact on meeting children's individual needs. The childminder is committed to continuously improving the provision to improve outcomes for children.She uses self-evaluation systems to consider the strengths of the service and areas for improvement. However the omission in meeting a legal requirement was not identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a daily record of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (W5 Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 21/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure it covers anything children may have contact with including the garden decking area and the cat litter tray. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective procedures in place to safeguard children. Since the last inspection she has attended safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge to implement the procedures to protect children from harm is accurate. The childminder completes risk assessments for the setting and for outings. However, aspects of the setting which children may come in contact with have not been included in the risk assessment. The childminder is well organised and overall maintains records as required to support her in meeting children's individual welfare, learning and development needs. This is with the exception of the children's attendance record which is not maintained on a daily basis as legally required.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to the continuous improvement of her provision. She self-evaluates the service and plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children. Since the last inspection she has completed training regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage and other relevant childcare subjects. She values training to inform her practice. The recommendation from the last inspection related to the childminder's previous accommodation. She met the recommendation by including the identified area in the risk assessment.

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the early years provision

The dedicated playroom is bright and well organised to enable children to freely access a wide range of play materials. The good range of resources offers children variety and challenge in their play. There are attractive displays of child-friendly educational posters which contribute towards creating a welcoming environment. The childminder has a positive attitude towards promoting equality of opportunity. Play resources and books are available to support children's understanding about the diversity of society. The childminder does not stereotype play. She encourages children to enjoy and benefit from the full range of equipment. The childminder has made a photograph album of her stock of play materials. This is used to ensure all children are able to indicate their play preferences regardless of their communication skills. The childminder uses the local facilities such as parks, the library and the childminders' playgroup at the local children's centre to broaden

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the early years provision

children's play and learning opportunities. The childminder aims to develop children's understanding about not wasting the earth's resources. She does this in practical ways. For example, involving children in the recycling processes and talking about the purpose of doing this.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good partnerships with parents. Before children first attend, the childminder gathers information from parents about what they already know and can do to inform the initial planning of activities. There are effective ongoing communication systems to ensure a good exchange of information, both verbally and through the sharing of records. The childminder creates individual children's learning journals which are records of their progress shown through photographic evidence and documented observations. She identifies how the activities and observations link to the Early Years Foundations Stage. This keeps parents well informed about the children's experiences and learning opportunities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the progress they are making. Parents are invited to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning process to further enhance their

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the early years provision

involvement in their child's learning. Parents have recorded highly favourable comments about the quality of the provision and the progress their child has made. The childminder has contact with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds to promote continuity and progression.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop self-confidence and make good developmental progress, due to the childminder's encouraging and caring attitude. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual children's personalities and stage of their learning and development. She makes effective use of Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to identify the next step for learning to help children progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The children are self motivated and happy in their play. The good range of easily accessible play equipment supports children in making choices and developing their own ideas. Consequently they show deepening levels of concentration as they pursue activities which sustain their interest. They select role play resources as they care for the baby dolls, feeding them, changing the nappy and taking the baby for a walk. Their play shows that are making connections with their observations and experiences of the world around them as they creatively use these play resources to re-enact different scenarios. Communication and language skills are promoted by the childminder through asking questions and using conversation that encourages children to use words and express themselves. The childminder uses everyday situations and planned activities to develop children's understanding of mathematical concepts. The young children learn about numbers

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and outcomes for children

as they count with the childminder the pieces of cutlery they are using in role play. Children operate the interactive toys by pushing button control. The older children demonstrate their knowledge of number, shape and size as they talk about what they are doing whilst involved with this activity. Children have good opportunities develop skills in communicating, literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology, which has a positive impact on their future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is a positive role model for children's behaviour. She skillfully shares her attention between the children and gives equal involvement in their play and discussion. This is evident at lunch time when the children eagerly talk about events at the nursery, what they want to play after lunch and about what they are eating. The childminder shows each child respect for what they are saying. She encourages children to take turns to talk and to listen to what is being said. The children respond to her and show their developing social skills. The childminder nurtures children's enjoyment of exercise and being in the fresh air as she actively promotes a healthy life style. She does not transport children by car. They walk or use public transport. The children develop an enjoyment of walking as the childminder makes trips interesting through incorporating activities such as looking for particular objects and talking about what they can see around them.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents at the present time provide the children's food. The childminder will supplement this with nutritional snacks if the children indicate that they would like more food. Children learn to look after themselves through following road safety procedures and practicing the evacuation drill. The childminder gives guidance to the children about how to play safely; for example, not having too many toys on the floor because they may trip over and hurt themselves. 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 (CR8 Records to be kept). 21/02/2011

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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 (CR8 Records to be kept). 21/02/2011

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