Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303349 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Jane Shaw

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, and there is access to a secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

This childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding 10 children on a part-time basis, five of whom are within the early years age group.

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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 provides children and families with a warm and caring environment. She is fully aware of the children s individual needs and personalities and as a result they are valued and respected. Partnerships with parents and carers support children's placements well. Partnerships with others are developing. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to developing her knowledge and understanding of early years. Her effective self-evaluation processes have ensured that the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the two-way flow of information between all other early years providers which children attend to ensure continuity of care and learning  develop further the systems of observations and assessments for all children  develop further and implement systems in order to track children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse, a clear understanding of the local authority's child protection procedures and her role in safeguarding children. Risks of accidental injury are reduced as the childminder carries out comprehensive risk assessments on the premises, equipment and outings away from the setting. These risk assessment are thorough and reviewed on a very regular basis to ensure children's safety at all times. All other records, policies and procedures are in place, further promoting children's safety and well- being.

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the early years provision

The premises and activities are well organised, creating a positive learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment for all children. Children enjoy making choices from the range of accessible toys and resources available to them, or by making suggestions regarding additional activities. These offer very good stimulation in most areas of learning, attendance at a variety of other groups enhances children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures her setting is inclusive and welcoming, where all children have equal access to the range of activities and opportunities offered. A range of toys and resources and themes show the children positive images to support their understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is good. The childminder has reviewed all aspects of her provision, which has enabled her to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, evaluate her provision, identifying her strengths and areas to develop. She is committed to ongoing training and development and accessing a variety of courses to enhance her skills and knowledge. Self-evaluation, the successful completion of recommendations made at the last inspection, her attendance on training shows a genuine commitment to the continuous improvement in her setting and the care and education she offers the children.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other early years professionals are not yet fully implemented. The childminder has strong relationships with parents and carers. They have access to good information regarding the childminder's practices, policies and procedures, which ensure that they are fully aware of her responsibility to their children. They have access to their child's developmental record at all times, and are encouraged to contribute to this record.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements and provides children wide a range of opportunities, experiences and activities that promotes their achievement and enjoyment very well. The childminder keeps a folder for most children with a record of their achievements and special events. These records shows skills children are attaining, they show the link to the specific area of learning and the planned next steps. However, they do not yet track their progress towards the early learning goals. Nevertheless, the childminder supports children well, giving them challenges that promote their learning and development well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is a good role model to children; there are good relationships between the children, childminder and the childminder's own children and as a result children are safe and secure and are very happy and settled. Children are very confident and able to make choices about activities. Children are encouraged to develop skills and an understanding of the need to keep themselves safe during their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good skills in communication, language and literacy. They chat eagerly to each other and the childminder. The childminder extends their language This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and vocabulary as she asks them questions as they play and through adult-led activities. They are able to talk about past, present and future events as they talk about activities they have done in the past and forthcoming holidays.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes opportunities to develop children's skills in problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, for example, as they play a shape game, where they find the correct shaped card. They are involved in baking activities which requires weighing and measuring, and make patterns as they thread beads or use table top games.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about their local community as they visit the park to feed the ducks and go to the shops. They build three-dimensional models and younger children use a verity of shape sorters and technological toys, realising that pushing buttons and pulling levers creates another action. They have a variety of opportunities to develop large and small muscle skills. For example, children are able to use alternate feet as they climb, and run around the garden safely, changing direction and slowing down. Babies learn to feed themselves and move towards toys set slightly away from them. Excellent craft activities enable children to be creative. They use a wide variety of textures and techniques in their artwork, and enjoy a variety of sensory activities, including using a sensory room in a local centre.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene routines, healthy meals and snacks, ensure children develop an understanding of the need to have a healthy lifestyle; they are aware of the reason why they should clean their teeth after meals through fun activities and access to resources. Healthy lifestyles are further promoted as they have daily opportunities for active, outdoor. Access to activities, discussions and good role modelling encourages the development of children's 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 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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