Duckworth, Nora Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406647 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

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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 2010. She lives in Great Sankey, Warrington, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register. No minded children were present at the time of the inspection. There is currently one child on roll. The childminder may collect children from the local school and take them to toddler groups.

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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 is able to demonstrate how children are happy and settled in her care. She is beginning to observe children's achievements and uses some of this information to plan appropriate activities. However, observation and assessment are not clearly linked to planning children's next steps. She keeps parents informed about what their children are doing and obtains information about their needs and routines. All of the required policies and procedures to keep children safe are in place. The childminder has not developed a robust self-evaluation of her practice and is unable to reflect sufficiently well on her strengths and areas for improvement in order to further develop her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 clearly link observations and assessment to planning the next steps for children's learning  make sure the risk assessment identifies all hazards to children and action is taken to minimise them  develop effective evaluation so that strengths and areas of improvement within the setting can be identified  provide further resources and activities which reflect diversity and difference in society.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a clear and detailed policy which explains her responsibilities. She has completed safeguarding training and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has all the necessary information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cared for in a generally safe and secure environment. A detailed risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and the childminder conducts daily checks to ensure that the environment is safe for children. However, not all hazards are rigorously identified, for example there is no safety gate in place at the foot of the stairs. The childminder takes emergency information with her when taking children out. She has devised an effective set of policies to cover many

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the early years provision

aspects of her service. Her documentation is well organised and accessible.

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the early years provision

Resources are organised to provide some interest to children on a daily basis and the environment is warm and welcoming. Children play in the main family rooms and a small range of toys are put out daily to enable children to access them independently. Some child-sized furniture is available for children to use. The outside area provides opportunities for fresh air on a daily basis. The childminder describes how children are encouraged to share resources and develop an understanding of each others' needs. She has some resources and activities which reflect diversity in society. The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and shows them the records she keeps on their children's development. Parents are given the policies when they start to keep them informed and are encouraged to share details about their children's development. Systems are not yet sufficiently robust to ensure continuity and share information

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the early years provision

about children's learning and development when they attend other settings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder outlines how children feel settled and contented in her care. They are provided with a satisfactory range of appropriate activities. Toys are accessible in the living room and craft and messy activities are provided in the kitchen. Children go out every day to places of local interest, enjoying fresh air and exercise. The childminder is beginning to make observations of children's play and writes down what they have been doing in a daily diary, together with some photographs. She uses some of this information to plan activities to help children to progress. However, observations are not very systematic and are not clearly linked to the areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and planned for.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder says children are confident with her and are beginning to find a voice and discover new words. The childminder notes when they develop new vocabulary or physical skills. She describes talking to them sensitively to encourage their language development. Books are accessible and well used. Activities provided for children include developing manipulative skills as they learn to hold a paint brush and puzzles, and construction sets to help children problem-solve. Children's self expression is encouraged and they are able to play drums or use an echo microphone to hear their voices in different ways. Children are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different media such as play dough or paint. Trips out teach children about the community and the world around them. The childminder says children learn to play together and socialise and she talks to them about sharing resources. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as they go out for walks every day to get fresh air. Satisfactory hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection, however, the family cat accesses food preparation areas. The childminder incorporates topics on health and hand washing so that children learn how to live a healthy life style. Children's drinks are made accessible for them and parents provide snacks and meals which are generally healthy. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about issues such as road safety and gives explanations about safety when they play. The childminder states that children develop warm and trusting relationships with her and so feel safe in the setting. They learn to be independent and form relationships and in this way are learning skills for the future. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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