Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303357 Inspection date 13/05/2011 Inspector Judith Kerr

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and adult son who work as her occasional assistants in the Norton area of Runcorn, Cheshire. The childminder also works with a third assistant for part of the week. The whole of the childminder's house except for the garage is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for six children in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised level two childcare qualification.

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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 has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and purposeful understanding of each child which ensures inclusion is highly effective. She is kind and caring and provides a safe and welcoming environment for all children where most aspects of documentation meet requirements. Activities provided offer consistently high levels of challenge appropriate to children's age and stage of development and ensure they are interested, confident and busy. A strong emphasis is placed on good relationships with parents and others involved in children's lives. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to the continuous improvement of her service and recognises where most of the key areas for further development within her childminding practise lie.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 31/05/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 organise staffing arrangements by improving the records of attendance to include information about the number of adults present. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her role in protecting children. She is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns to the relevant persons and knows the correct procedures to follow. All adults in the household have been vetted by Ofsted to further safeguard children's welfare. Records of accidents and medication administered to children are maintained and shared with parents. Written consent from parents is requested for presenting children at hospital. However, permission for seeking any necessary emergency medical treatment in the future is not. This is a requirement in regulations. Detailed written risk assessments take account of the indoor and outdoor environment. These are supported by additional daily checks. The outings undertaken with the children are also assessed to reduce risks.

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the early years provision

The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed to ensure parents are provided with all required information. Since the last inspection the childminder has attended various short courses to extend and keep her knowledge up-to-date. For example, she has attended training on language, boys behaviour and risk assessments to improve outcomes for children and enhance their safety. The childminder and her assistant evaluate their practice and have correctly identified most areas for future improvement. However, attendance records do not accurately reflect information about the numbers of adults present to demonstrate ratios are consistently met.

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the early years provision

Effective relationships with parents are developed. A comprehensive portfolio of policies and procedures, together with detailed daily discussions, ensures parents are fully informed about daily routines and occurrences within their child's unique day. Parents are involved in agreeing children's starting points in relation to care, learning and development and are kept involved in their ongoing development; for example through the sharing of observational assessments. Letters from parents demonstrate they highly value the service and care received by their children. Superb links are maintained with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to promote progression and continuity for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a considerable understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures daily routines include a good balance of adult- directed and child-led activities. She has a purposeful understanding of each child's likes, dislikes, interests and capabilities. Thorough observations are made while children are engrossed in the excellent range of interesting opportunities provided. These are linked to the areas of learning; the next steps are identified and used to identify future learning priorities for each child. The assessments are linked to elements of the framework to help track children's progress towards the early learning goals and ensure they each make the optimum progress possible. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Resources are extremely well organised to enable children to make their own choices thereby developing confidence and independence. Children gain an

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and outcomes for children

excellent appreciation of healthy lifestyles. Ample fresh air and exercise each day promote superior challenges for children and help them understand their heart beats faster and they get out of breath after running. Children enjoy a wonderful range of activities which develop their physical skills. For example, they push a friend up and down on the seesaw, play with brushes and water and climb and balance on the equipment. Outings to toddler groups, musical activities and garden centres provide highly effective opportunities for children to socialise with their peers, learn to share and consider the needs of others. They buy the seeds to plant and grow flowers in the garden which they then tend.

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and outcomes for children

Children share superb relationships with the childminder and her assistants which enables them to feel happy and secure in her home. Self-help, social, language and numerical skills are prioritised. For example, children happily help tidy toys away, enjoy stories and singing and count the number of pieces of train track. Children develop a considerable understanding of the wider world through resources, such as clothes, puzzles, posters and celebrations of festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. They dress up in Japanese kimonos and discuss differences, such as fat and thin and why some people need to wear glasses. The childminder recognises the importance of valuing diversity and of welcoming children with special educational needs and/or disabilities into a sharing and inclusive environment. Children's artistic talents are significantly enhanced by using a variety of media including paint, glue, glitter, funky foam and shiny paper.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about health and hygiene because the childminder is very skilled in promoting this most effectively through daily routines. For example, children enthusiastically follow the hand washing procedures which are displayed on posters in the toilet and delight in demonstrating they know that milk makes teeth and bones strong. The childminder actively contributes to children's excellent understanding of how to stay safe by offering gentle reminders about only using bats to hit balls and not people and not allowing babies access to small construction pieces. Children regularly practise the fire evacuation drill to ensure they have a first class knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. As a result of the exceptional care offered by the childminder they learn independence skills which will support and promote their learning in 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 1 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 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 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 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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