Childminder in LiverpoolOfsted inspection, 17 Jan 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 322174 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and adult child in Wavertree, Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear patio garden for outdoor play. The family has some goldfish in a tank.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently seven children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools and attends carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She 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

This experienced and intuitive childminder provides a safe, secure and homely environment where children are happy and settled. Her robust knowledge and understanding of the children in her care ensures that their individual needs are met and their welfare and learning is effectively promoted. The childminder is well organised and she provides good opportunities for children to learn and develop within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder's practice is fully inclusive and she works closely with parents to ensure children's specific needs are met. All documentation is accurately completed to ensure children's well-being. The childminder has started to consider the self-evaluation process although this is not yet undertaken systematically. She does, however, show a firm commitment to improving practice thereby enhancing outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a systematic approach to the quality and improvement processes to monitor and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to offering young children the individual support, guidance and opportunities to gain skills for life. She takes her key role of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding their welfare and well-being very seriously, attending annual training to keep her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues current. This ensures that parents are assured of her duty of care to act in the children's best interests at all times. Children's safety is further promoted as detailed risk assessments are undertaken by the childminder and full records are maintained. The assessments apply to activities, both on and off the premises, and the childminder is aware of updating them, should any incidents occur. Further daily visual assessments support the children in keeping safe. All of the adults in the household have undergone full vetting and checking procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed her confidence in using the Early Years Foundation Stage document effectively, to help plan and deliver a varied and very caring provision that takes account of each child's age and stage of development. Resources are plentiful and well presented daily to ensure children's interests are targeted. This helps children to feel settled and secure as they select their favourite toys on arrival, eager to play. Positive images of diversity are reflected in the resources and children become aware of their community through visits to local venues and amenities and by celebrating various festivals and seasons. The childminder uses effective strategies when necessary, to support some less confident children in settling in. For example, a pictorial timetable of the routine was devised as a clock, in order to show a child exactly when the parent would be returning.

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the early years provision

A key strength of the provision is the childminder's approach to working in partnership with parents and carers. She develops strong relationships with the children's families, supporting each child according to their parents' wishes. This is reinforced with a raft of well-worded policies and procedures that are shared actively with parents, at the start of each placement. Parents express their deep satisfaction and pleasure with her approach, through testimonials and cards. The childminder also takes time to ask parents of children who are leaving her provision, to make comments which she reflects upon in order to develop her practice further. The childminder is also developing strong links with local schools and toddler groups, aware of how such relationships can promote shared thinking and offer children consistency and continuity in their early years experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a keenness to undertake relevant training and extend her knowledge to maintain continuous improvement. She is confident in her abilities to offer care and support to each child, relishing the interaction and relationships she fosters with each child. She currently undertakes self-evaluation as an informal process and is seeking to address this aspect in a format that helps her to assess the impact her provision has on outcomes for children more systematically.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage enthusiastically. She describes childminding as being 'the best job in the world' and this is reflected in her practice. Firm relationships are fostered with each child as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they make very strong progress in their development and learning. Much of this happens quite naturally as the childminder is an instinctive carer, who gets to know each child's character and abilities in depth. She is particularly skilled in managing children of differing ages and stages of development, engaging each child. For instance, she uses a favourite story book to entertain two children, aiming questions and each child's interaction at a pitch that reflects their individual ages and stages of understanding so that they both benefit. Development records accurately show children's achievements and the activities they enjoy. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder confidently links children's progress to specific areas of learning. Parents regularly browse through these commenting positively on how their children's attainment is developed as a true partnership between the childminder and their family.

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and outcomes for children

Giggles and laughter are the order of the day as children delight in playing with the childminder. They seek her out for support and reassurance, confident in her response. The childminder uses her skills to test children's memory and recall. For example, when showing a 'lift-the-flap book' to a child, she asks the child to identify some of the colours. When the child hesitates, the childminder then skilfully offers some named alternatives, ensuring that the child can achieve. This raises children's self-esteem and reinforces their feelings of self worth. The childminder uses everyday occurrences to excite and engage the children. A walk to the local park results in splashing in some puddles as children make marks in the mud with their Wellington boots and shoes. Children are encouraged to test out their confidence and skills as they climb the play equipment in the park. A photograph shows the sheer delight on a child's face as the larger climbing frame

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and outcomes for children

is finally conquered. Babies and young toddlers are encouraged to participate in activities designed to promote early mark making. They use cornflour gloop to make patterns and discover the texture and properties of the medium.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain a very strong sense of being safe as the childminder uses routines to reinforce this aspect throughout the day. They learn to tidy away responsibly and take care moving around the home. They are supported from an early age in learning to cross the roads with care and younger children are helped by the use of reins to keep them safe. They use tools and equipment with increasing dexterity and care, for example as they dig in the vegetable plot in the garden and use cutlery appropriately when eating. Cookery activities are enjoyed as icing is liberally spread on the cup cakes with gusto. The childminder is also aware of how such activities help children to gain a perception of weight, volume and capacity, as well as noting how ingredients change as they are mixed. Children are able to enjoy meals their parents have provided and also relish the childminder's home- made lentil soup that is balanced and nutritious.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is further promoted as they follow well-practised routines to attend to their self-care and toileting needs. Children develop firm friendships with the other children attending, as well as with the childminder's family. Behaviour management is based on valuing and respecting each other and themselves. They are supported in this by the childminder, who offers well-deserved praise and adapts activities and situations to enable children to achieve. 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 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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