Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY248691 Inspection date 23/02/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 2002. She lives with her husband, two children and step-daughter in Birkenhead, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor, along with the bathroom and middle bedroom on the first floor, are used for childminding. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently has two children on roll.

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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

Effective partnerships between the childminder and parents ensure children's individual needs are well met. Children make good progress in learning and development. Good policies and procedures are followed, safety is generally well maintained and most of the risk assessments are clearly recorded. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice but not well enough to fully identify all of her strengths or areas for development. She has made effective progress to develop her service since the previous inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation systems to identify strengths and areas for improvement  clearly link the observations and assessment of children to the next steps in their learning  develop systems to share information with other providers who are working with the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding. She is suitably trained to recognise when children may be at risk of harm and to liaise with appropriate agencies. Clear policies, procedures and record keeping systems ensure children are kept safe, protected and supported. Risk assessments are completed to keep children safe on outings. Most hazards are identified and minimised.

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the early years provision

Good use is made of space in the home to provide a range of different activities and experiences. A range of varied, good quality resources are used well in the setting. Children are supported to achieve planned goals. However, the next steps for children are not always sufficiently well linked to the observations and assessments that have been made. Children who attend the setting attend other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 early years settings for most of the time but systems to exchange information with other providers are not well developed. Children have opportunities to be outside on a daily basis. The childminder knows the children well and considers their interests and abilities to tailor learning experiences for individual children. The childminder has a very good working relationship with parents. They verbally exchange useful information every day. Children's work, photographs and written

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the early years provision

observations are beginning to demonstrate that they are making good progress.

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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 and are invited to discuss their child's progress and agree their next steps for development. The childminder is committed to improvement and professional development. She holds childcare qualifications and attends further training and workshops to update her skills and knowledge. She is able to identify some strengths and weaknesses but the method of doing this is not robust enough to ensure continued future development.

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and outcomes for children

The home is warm and welcoming. Children demonstrate a very strong sense of belonging. They choose what they would like to play with from a wide range of resources, many of which reflect the wider community. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play well on their own, with each other and with the childminder. Their social skills are well developed and they are confident and happy.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual needs are well met. They learn about health and hygiene through planned activities. Children have a balanced diet. They help themselves to fruit, such as, bananas and apples, eat nutritious meals, such as pasta, saying it is their favourite food, and enjoy sitting together during their meal. To ensure they are not thirsty, they drink diluted juice. Child are polite and courteous to each other and to the childminder, who reinforces this with positive comments. Children's behaviour is excellent. When there is a minor spill, they independently collect a tissue to mop it up. Children exercise in the fresh air every day, which is good for their health. They play in the garden or attend other group activities. Planned outings increase their awareness of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good learning and social skills that equip them well for the future. They communicate well with the childminder and demonstrate growing literacy skills. They look at books and take pride in the pictures they paint. They talk about colour, shape and numbers in their everyday activities. The childminder plans experiences to help them take the next steps in their learning and she successfully integrates her knowledge of their abilities and interests. 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 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 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: 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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