Clegg, Kim Barbara

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306059 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Denise Sixsmith

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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 adult children in Bebington, which is an area on the Wirral peninsular. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed paved area at the rear of the house, which is used for outdoor play. The family have three cats, a dog and two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children over the age of five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to local toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and secure with the childminder who provides them with a comfortable and welcoming home. All children are fully valued and supported well in the warm, welcoming and inclusive environment. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and complete self-evaluation documentation, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing improvement. However, some welfare requirements are not currently being met resulting in a breach of requirements. Children are supported to make sound progress in their learning and development and good partnerships with parents are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child is obtained from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 28/02/2011

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further?

 ensure that the first aid box has appropriate contents to meet the needs of the children. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 28/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 build upon current systems for monitoring children's progress through identifying clear starting points and next steps that are clearly linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage; show how all areas of learning are equally covered and share this information more regularly with parents  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes a committed approach to childminding and the safeguarding of children. She provides clear written policies and procedures that promote a safe and secure environment to support and ensure children's safety and welfare. The childminder has continued to update her first aid training but the first aid box lacks appropriate contents to ensure that it is suitable for use which is a breach of requirements. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the procedures to follow with regard to child protection. She has produced a written procedure to share with parents and appropriate emergency service contact details are readily available. Most required records are in place and up to date, however, information regarding parental responsibility and legal contact are not which is a breach of requirements. A clear risk assessment record is in place for the inside and outdoors of the premises as required enhancing children's safety. Risks

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the early years provision

assessments for outings have been undertaken but have not been included in the record. The childminder makes effective use of the space and resources. The provision of a play area in the conservatory, as well as, other areas of the house, means that children have ample space to play and access the good quality safe play resources and equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to making ongoing improvements to her service. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been implemented to improve outcomes for children. She has started to use the self-evaluation process to review her practice and recognises that further development of the assessment system would enable her to continue to enhance the quality of her service. One of the current children attends another Early Years Foundation Stage provider and the childminder understands the importance of strengthening her liaison with them to ensure a consistent approach to children's learning is established.

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the early years provision

Good relationships are in place with parents. The childminder provides an inclusive service and gathers information about children's routines, interests and abilities when they start with her. She uses this to organise her day around the needs of the children in her care. As a result, all children quickly feel relaxed and secure with her. She also provides parents with clear information about her service and about their children's time with her. Parents value the care that their children receive and comment on the childminder's kind and caring approach. They state how extremely helpful she is and that she has never let them down. 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 taken steps to developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and has put in place a learning journey record for the children which contains observations and photos of them engaged in activities. Whilst each area of learning within the framework is covered, the next steps and the planning side of the system is less well developed or linked to the Learning and Development guidance. Children are provided with suitable play opportunities, which they find interesting and enjoyable. Space and a variety of good quality resources are very well-organised to encourage children's play and independence. For example, low-level storage in the conservatory enhances the children's ability to make choices. The childminder takes children to parks to enable them to engage in energetic play and challenge themselves on larger pieces of play equipment. She assists children to develop their understanding of the wider world

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and outcomes for children

through regular visits into the local community to visit shops, children's groups and the library. Children visit a local children's cookery class with the childminder where they have baked, iced and decorated Christmas cakes. They learn about numbers and counting through everyday activities, as well as, playing dominoes with the childminder. Children's learning is extended by the childminder, for example, through counting and colour recognition, while building with bricks and ongoing conversation about what is happening in the small world imaginative play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides lots of praise and encouragement to children, which boosts their self-esteem. Children are learning responsible behaviour as they are encouraged to share toys and take turns. The childminder provides very good support for children's emotional well-being. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is good because it is managed in a caring, sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. Children are supported appropriately to develop skills for the future. Children benefit greatly from a healthy lifestyle whilst at the childminder's home. Their health is protected because they play in clean premises. The childminder has a healthy menu and provides foods appropriately for each child as discussed with their parents. Older children are encouraged to develop their independence well as they access the toilet and wash their hands diligently. The provision of separate hand towels limits the risk of cross-infection. A

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and outcomes for children

number of activities are provided outside in the fresh air, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle and children learn to wrap up warm on cold days. Children are able to feel safe through the warm relationship they have with the childminder. They are learning the importance of keeping themselves safe through routine activities and talking about crossing roads safely. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised to enable children to become aware of what to do in the event of an emergency. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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 3

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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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