Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY411092 Inspection date 03/05/2011 Inspector Imary Wignall

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 14 and eight years. They live in the Orrell area of Wigan. The entire ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range and four older children on the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled as the childminder knows their individual needs well and has developed effective partnerships with parents. Her planning and interaction with children create a safe environment in which their welfare is promoted. Her sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements ensures that children make steady progress in their learning. Initial self-evaluation procedures demonstrate a capacity and commitment to improve, although a lack of robust monitoring means some legal requirements are not met.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the record of accidents includes any first aid treatment given to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/06/2011

p.4

further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given, including any over-the-counter medication, such as pain and fever relief or teething gel (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/06/2011

p.4

further?

 put in place a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and keep a written record of complaints and their outcome. Investigate all written complaints and notify the complainants of the outcome within 28 days of having received the complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) ( also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 01/06/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 use observations and assessments of children's learning to track their progress towards the early learning goals.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, gained through attending relevant training. She has devised written policies, including ones on safeguarding and behaviour management, demonstrating her commitment to keeping children safe and secure. Risk assessments are conducted for both inside the home and for outings. A record of children's attendance is maintained to ensure their safety and well-being. Some resources are used well to support children's learning and development. For instance, the childminder maximises the use of the conservatory for younger children by providing cushioned flooring for their added comfort and safety.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder follows appropriate procedures should the children have an accident or become ill in her care. She records any accidents the children may have and obtains a parent's signature to acknowledge the information. However, the information does not record any first aid treatment given. This does not ensure children's welfare and is a breach of requirements. She has a sound understanding of the safe storage of medicine, although does not obtain parents' written permission for all medicines given to children. For instance, verbal agreements are obtained for over-the-counter medication, such as pain and fever relief or teething gel. Again this does not ensure children's welfare and limits the effectiveness of her policy for administering medicine. This is a breach of requirements.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents are kept informed about their children's experiences with the childminder. Clear policies are shared with parents. The childminder describes how verbal information is given to parents about her complaints procedure. However, the described procedure is incomplete and does not meet with requirements. Self- evaluation has led to improvements for all children. For instance, following training the childminder has reviewed her planning and observation systems and has identified further training needs. Parents' comments in the daily exchange of information inform her self-evaluation. However, self-evaluation systems are in their infancy and do not measure the quality of the provision against rigorous criteria. The childminder promotes children's understanding of diversity as resources and activities reflect positive images and incorporate celebration of different cultures. She obtains comprehensive information about children's

p.5

the early years provision

experiences in other settings they attend. She is beginning to consider how to use this effectively to plan consistent and complementary experiences for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan appropriate activities which children find stimulating. Children's social skills and knowledge of the local community are enhanced by the childminder's use of local facilities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to develop systems to plan for children's learning. Each child has a learning file with photographs and samples of their work. This shows the range of activities enjoyed and offers interesting and valuable information about their learning and development. The childminder undertakes regular observations which help identify next steps in children's learning. However, she does not use these consistently to plan or to track children's learning effectively.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs. She obtains children's care details from parents to help provide consistent routines for them. For example, she knows a child needs extra support on waking and reassures and cuddles them before they go off to play, increasing their feeling of security. She works in partnership with parents to provide nutritious meals and snacks. Consistent routines, such as wiping hands and faces after eating, mean younger children are beginning to understand and cooperate with good hygiene routines. She promotes their developing physical skills by giving younger children a spoon to feel and hold as she feeds them. Young children practise standing and balancing as the childminder gently holds their hands. A young child's face wrinkles with delight as they take some steps.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn useful skills for the future as they explore their environment with enthusiasm. They find toys with buttons to press. They listen to the music and sounds it makes, showing good coordination skills. Children explore other toys as they put them in their mouths or shake and bang them to find out how they feel or what noises they make. The childminder has established familiar games children enjoy. They lift their arms high with praise and enjoyment as they play together. The childminder holds children's interest as they look at and listen to a book and compact disc of stories and songs. Children show interest as they look at pictures or reach out to touch them. At times they clap their hands, showing excitement and clearly enjoy their increasing physical abilities. The childminder uses gestures to help develop their understanding and communication. For instance, she shows how the food is 'all gone' as she shows the children the empty bowl and gestures

p.6

and outcomes for children

with empty hands. The children understand and look forward to their healthy dessert of yoghurt. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 01/06/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 01/06/2011

p.8