Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282796 Inspection date 28/02/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 16 years in Rainhill near Prescot. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The rest and toilet facilities are situated on the first floor level. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and its underlying principles to effectively support children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminders provides a welcoming and enabling environment where children's uniqueness is respected. She has developed effective systems to work in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. The childminder self-evaluates the provision, however, the process has not identified gaps in meeting legal requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the daily record of children's attendance includes their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register). 14/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 invite parents to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning process to further enhance their involvement in their child's learning  develop further the self-evaluation systems and involve all users to target priorities for improvement.  review the risk assessment to cover the furniture positioned on the first floor landing for children's safety. 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 a secure knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has attended training since the last inspection and has prepared a detailed written policy. This clearly outlines her responsibility to follow procedures to protect children from harm. Risk assessments are in place for the setting and for outings to identify and reduce risk to children's safety. Although the risk assessment is reviewed each year, it does not cover all the children have contact with. The childminder maintains records as required, with the exception of the daily attendance register. This record does not show the children's daily hours of attendance as is legally required. The childminder is caring for more children than the conditions of registration allow on one morning a week. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. Ofsted does not intend to take further action on this occasion.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to continually improve her provision. She attends relevant training to increase her knowledge and improve her practice. The childminder uses Ofsted's self-evaluation form to identify the strengths of the provision and areas for improvement. However, children and parents are not involved in the process as a collaborative approach towards the evaluation. The childminder has met the recommendations from the last inspection. The planning and charting children's progress has been addressed through the childminder implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage. She prepares personalised planning for each child to support their progress and development. The childminder has revised the nappy change procedure and use of sprays for children's safety. The childminder regularly purchases new toys and equipment to offer children variety and challenge in their play. This is further enhanced through the use of the toy and book lending

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to the promotion of equality and diversity. The range of toys and books which reflect positive imagines of diversity are an integral part of the children's daily play experiences. This practice helps children build a positive understanding towards people who are different to themselves. The children learn about their local and wider community as they enjoy regular outings to children's groups, the shops and parks. The childminder aims to help children develop their understanding of not wasting the earth's resources through their involvement in activities, such as, recycling waste materials and growing plants.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. She has developed effective communication systems with parents which support her in meeting children's individual needs and promote their learning and development. The childminder provides parents with information about the organisation of the service and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The recording systems showing the children's observations, assessment and planning for their next steps in learning and development are collated in their individual learning journal. Although these are shared with the parents, they do not contribute to them. In written references, parents have commented favourably on the progress their child has made at the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's setting. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to liaise with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning by developing a secure and trusting relationship which promotes their confidence to initiate play activities of their choice. Children are happy in their play, singing and smiling. They willingly go to the childminder for help and call her name when needing assistance. The planning of activities and records of observations in the children's learning journals show that they are involved in activities to support their progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder recognises each child's uniqueness and their preferred styles of play and learning. She organises the setting to accommodate this individuality, for example, clear floor space for movement and active play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows the interests of the children. Consequently they show deepening levels of concentration as they pursue activities which sustain their interest. In role play, children make connections with their own observations and experiences of the world around them as they creatively use play resources to re- enact different scenarios. They develop their self-care skills as they independently dress up in the role play clothes. There is lively conversation between the childminder and the children. The childminder skilfully asks questions to promote children's critical thinking and language development. The childminder encourages children to 'have a go' at completing tasks themselves. This helps to nurture their problem-solving skills, such as, when they play with jigsaws and construction toys. If needed, she gives effective guidance. The children smile with delight at their achievement and are given lots of praise from the childminder. Children have many

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to be creative and express their own ideas. They create collages using a range of vivid coloured materials in different shapes. The childminder demonstrates her understanding that one activity has many learning opportunities. As the children work on their collage, the childminder encourages them to talk about what they are doing, count, compare sizes and notice and name the different shapes. The childminder develops children's numeracy skills through everyday situations, such as, counting the objects and noticing numerals on display when out and about. There are good opportunities for children to socialise through their involvement in activities with groups of other children. Overall, children have good opportunities to develop skills they will need for the future.

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and outcomes for children

A healthy lifestyle is actively promoted. The childminder uses the garden or takes the children for walks to benefit from fresh air. She has equipment to promote their physical development and the children enjoy the larger apparatus in parks. The parents primarily provide the children's foods eaten at the setting. The childminder will supplement these with healthy snacks if necessary. She has completed food safety training and uses this knowledge when handling foods, such as, storing foods correctly to prevent contamination. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through the familiarity of following routines. They tell the childminder, without prompt, that they have to wash their hands before This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 eating snacks. The childminder is a positive role model for the children's behaviour as she shows them courtesy and respect. She effectively helps children to develop

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and outcomes for children

their social skills and their behaviour is good. 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 2 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 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) 14/03/2011

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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) 14/03/2011

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