Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306173 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Sue Riley

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and one adult child and two teenage children, in a suburb of the Wirral. There are facilities close by, such as, parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for nine children, of whom, four are in the early years age range. At times the childminder works with an assistant and may have additional children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Most of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The toilet facilities are situated on this level. The family has a pet rabbit. The childminder walks to the local schools and preschool to take and collect children. She attends different local parent and toddler groups and community groups throughout the week. The childminder 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An extremely child-friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show high levels of self-esteem because the childminder knows them very well and values and respects them as individuals. The childminder has developed a close very working relationship with parents, which helps her to fully understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. All aspects of children's welfare are promoted particularly well which means that children are fully safeguarded. The childminder is constantly reflecting and evaluating her practice and provision to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extending the range of multi-sensory play equipment for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and has implemented an effective policy and procedure which she shares with parents. She has a written detailed statement of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 household members over 16 and about her experience and training. The childminder effectively maintains all her records. Many inclusive policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. Sound systems are in place to review all policies and procedures to ensure they are kept up-to-date with current guidance. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept very secure. The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to

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the early years provision

develop the provision further. The childminder has very high standards and expectations which are embedded across all areas of her practice. As a result of her personal development her practice is continually changing and evolving as she reflects and evaluates against the provision for children.

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the early years provision

Space within the childminder's home is well-organised to provide children with a homely, warm and welcoming environment where they can learn, relax and have fun. A lovely range of resources are readily available to children and these are stored at appropriate levels enabling children to make independent choices. Children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the provision and the lovely gentle interactions with the childminder. Detailed risk assessments for the home are in place and the childminder is fully aware of how to eliminate risks to children. The childminder has made her home safe and has sound systems in place to fully protect children. For example, each outer door is kept secure and has an alarm fitted. Through sensitive discussions she helps young children to understand ways to minimise the risk of harm to themselves. They practice the emergency evacuation procedures to raise their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she can supervise the children at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of children learning to appreciate differences. She has many resources that reflect today's society and uses them in a positive manner. The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with other agencies or providers of childcare, for example, with the local schools or people from the Autistic Society in supporting children. Partnerships with parents are very well-established and there is a beneficial flow of communication on a daily basis, which ensures that children's needs continue to be met in a consistent manner. This is both verbally and via a detailed daily diary, which is used for the care and welfare of the child and used for practical information regarding dates and times. The childminder also uses a notice board in the kitchen to share planning and other relevant information for parents. She recognises the parent as the main carer and provides a wide range of information for them so that they are

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the early years provision

well-informed about their child's care and learning. For example, parents are invited to contribute to their children's learning journeys. The childminder encourages parents to support their children's learning, for example, the childminder informed parents of their child's interest in music and now the parent takes their child to a music group. Parents are invited to complete questionnaires about the childminder's provision, they are also asked to make written remarks in the comments book. These are all very positive and parents are very pleased with the provision for their children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop through playing. She is constantly observing children during play and records what she sees. She gathers good information about children's starting points, individual needs and preferences and she regularly exchanges information with parents. The indoor and outside environments are set up for children's learning this allows children lots of free choice of activities and a very wide range of resources. The childminder recognises that her resources around multi-sensory play need expanding. Activities are planned, based on the observations and assessments of the individual children. The childminder is very warm and welcoming to the children and with knowing them extremely-well provides an enabling environment that both makes them feel

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and outcomes for children

secure and confident and challenges them to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are taught about safety issues as part of the daily routine. For example, when out and about in the local community they learn about road safety. Children are very well behaved and are being encouraged to share and take turns. Behaviour is managed in a positive but gentle manner. For example, the childminder explains clearly to a young child that it hurts when she pulls her hair. Children are encouraged to be considerate of others and the childminder models this with her own behaviour. She actively encourages the use of manners. When the childminder praises the children they respond very well to this and benefit as this practice raises their self-esteem. The children are developing a sound understanding of healthy lifestyles. They soon become aware of the hand-washing routines as they follow the appropriate practices to prevent the risk of cross- infection. They can recognise their own individual towel for hand drying. Children

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and outcomes for children

help themselves to drinks as they become thirsty, the older children can pour their own choice of drinks. All meals and snacks are provided by the childminder, the meals are all home cooked from fresh ingredients and a very good balanced nutritional menu is provided. She follows sound and current practice, for example, at her recent first aid training, she was advised to cut grapes into quarters for the younger children. Children eat healthy and they grow their own vegetables in the garden. When they go to the park or play in the garden, the childminder encourages them to challenge themselves on the physical equipment. For example, when on the swings, they are taught to swing themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing and display lots of excitement as they march up and down the hallway singing the nursery rhyme of the week. They demonstrate excellent concentration as they sit and complete their sticky pictures. They talk about size and shape and they glue the items onto the card. Children cuddle up to the childminder to listen to a story. They join in with the repeated refrains. For children learning French, the childminder displays a large poster of the first French words and allows the children to play with a microphone to practise their French. Children are encouraged to be independent at all times, which results in very confident and able children. They are confident talkers as the childminder encourages the use of language and has lots of conversations with the children. She asks questions to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make the children think about what they are doing. The childminder encourages

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and outcomes for children

children to play outside in the fresh air, for example, on windy days they play with bubbles, so the children can notice the effect of the wind. She takes them out and about in the local and wider communities so they become aware of the wider world. With the careful planning of activities the children are helped with their personal life experiences. For example, with having a new baby in the family or moving onto preschool or school. The childminder plans around these to help and sensitively support the individual child. The children are excited about the musical instruments they have made and are keen to show them to others. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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