Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY274894 Inspection date 28/03/2011 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 years and over 16 years in Kirby, Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and the toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. 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 five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She accesses local authority support and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and its underlying principles is used effectively to support children's good progress. The childminder provides a welcoming and enabling environment where children's uniqueness is respected. The partnership with parents and others has a positive impact on meeting children's individual needs. The childminder reviews her provision through self-evaluation to identify the strengths and areas for improvement. However, this process did not identify the gap in meeting an aspect of one of the legal requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/04/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to prioritise children's next steps in learning and development to support their progress towards the early learning goals  develop systems for parents to contribute to their child's observation, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment and planning process to further enhance their involvement in their child's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective procedures in place to safeguard children. She has attended safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge to implement the procedures to protect children from harm is accurate. The childminder has comprehensive risk assessments in place for the setting and for outings for children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successfully met the recommendations from the last inspection. A system has been devised to record complaints should the situation arise and the evacuation plan has been reviewed to ensure its effectiveness for children's safety. The childminder aims to continuously improve her provision. She has made improvements to the outdoor play area making this an enjoyable learning environment for children. The childminder is formally self-evaluating the service using the Ofsted format. She has identified areas for improvement. However, the system has not identified a gap in the administering medication procedure to ensure it meets the legal requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for children. They freely access a wide range of play materials which offers children variety and challenge in their play. Children's art work is displayed which further enhances their sense of belonging and self-esteem. The childminder has a positive attitude towards promoting equality of opportunity. Play resources and books are available to support children's understanding about the diversity of society. The childminder does not stereotype play. She encourages children to enjoy and benefit from the full range of equipment. The childminder aims to help children to develop their understanding about not wasting the earth's resources. She does this in practical ways for example, using appropriate household resources in children's play and involving children in the recycling of waste items.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good partnerships with parents. There are effective on- going communication systems to ensure a good exchange of information, both verbally and through the sharing of records. The childminder creates individual children's learning journals which is a record of their progress shown through photographic evidence and documented observations. This keeps parents well informed about the children's experiences and learning opportunities and the progress they are making. However, parents do not contribute to the observation, assessment and planning process to further enhance their involvement in their child's learning. The childminder has contact with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds to promote continuity and progression. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a trusting relationship with the childminder which is the basis for the good progress made in their learning and development. They are happy, confident and enthusiastically engage in play of their choice. The childminder has developed personalised planning for children and she identifies how the activities link to the different areas of learning. However, the system does not clearly show that the planning is monitored across the six areas of learning to prioritise the next steps in learning and support children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's language development in the knowledge that communication skills impact on all areas of learning. She encourages children to talk about what they are doing, asks questions and responds to their communication. The children pursue role play and they creatively use a range of equipment as their play ideas develop. Their imaginative play changes direction and they create a hairdressing salon and the childminder is their customer. The childminder knows this is a favourite play activity. She has prepared a range of hairdressing utensils which are safe for the children to incorporate into their play. The children use the empty shampoo and conditioner bottles and hair straighteners, with the flex removed, as they style the childminder's hair. There is a real sense of fun and the children and childminder obviously enjoy each others company. The childminder uses this as an opportunity to discuss safety issues

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and outcomes for children

regarding having contact with hot appliances

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and outcomes for children

The children decide to make a special card for Mother's day. The childminder providers a wide range of craft materials for children to create their own design. This activity gives children opportunity to experiment with writing as they sign the card and show that they are starting to write the letters of their name. The childminder uses everyday situations, specifically designed games and planned activities to introduce mathematical concepts to the children. This approach gives children the confidence and interest to complete mathematical operations, such as to count and compare sizes of objects as they play. Children develop their understanding of the purpose of technology and how to operate equipment such as the role play cash till, telephone and the camera. Children have good opportunities to develop skills in communicating, literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology, which has a positive impact on their

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and outcomes for children

The childminder nurtures the children's understanding of a healthy life style. She promotes healthy eating and the enjoyment of physical activity. The childminder meets children's individual dietary needs and provides nutritional food. The outdoor play area is imaginatively planned for children to enjoy energetic play, such as balancing on and jumping in and out of the larges tyres. There is space for children to be exuberant in their movements. Effective procedures are in place to help prevent the spread of infection. Children learn to look after themselves through following procedures and talking about safety issues, such as stranger danger. The childminder is a good role model for children's behaviour. She effectively helps children to develop their social skills and gives praise for their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievements. Children learn to take responsibility for their environment. They

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and outcomes for children

happily tidy up the play room, without prompt from the childminder, to ensure the toys do not present a tripping hazard. 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 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 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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