Childminder in WarringtonOfsted inspection, 13 Jun 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY245696 Inspection date 13/06/2011 Inspector Debra Dahlstrom

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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 2003. She lives with her school-aged child in the Bewsey area of, Warrington, close to shops, parks, schools and pre-schools.The living room and playroom on the ground floor are used for childminding with toilet facilities provided on the first floor. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a dog and a number of ferrets which are sited in the rear yard and have limited access to the children.

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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 are currently six on roll children attending of which two are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to ten years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises the unique needs of all children in her care. Systems for evaluating her practice are developing. For example, the arrangements for assessing children's progress and partnerships with other settings involved the children's welfare and learning are evolving. Some records pertaining to children's safety, however, are not in order, and is a breach of welfare requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 include risk assessments for outings and improve the record of risk assessments for all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and information on who conducted it and any action taken (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 27/06/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further plans to self-evaluate practice in order to target areas of improvement and so raise outcomes for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further systems for observing and assessing children's development and progress in order to inform next step plans to their learning  develop further more effective links with other settings in order to support children's learning and next step plans.

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the early years provision

Children are sufficiently safeguarded from risks of abuse or neglect as the childminder is aware of possible signs and clear as to the produces to follow if she had concerns. Safety features, such as smoke alarms are fitted and checked regularly to ensure they are in working order. Children also participate in evacuation drills which are subsequently recorded with any actions taken. When outdoors children learn how to be safe when stood close to the lake feeding the swans or running in near swings when in the park. Whilst visual checks are carried out for both indoors and outdoors, the risk assessments records are not sufficiently detailed to be fully effective in order to keep children safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates adequately her ambition and her drive to improve her service, having made sufficient progress to manage the setting to a satisfactory standard. Most areas for improvement raised at last inspection were satisfactorily addressed. However, others remain recommended areas for improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder has sought further training in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in order to improve outcomes for children. They, therefore make satisfactory progress in all areas of learning. At the beginning of placement the childminder seeks out all relevant information about children's routines welfare and development. She is currently developing systems to use what she knows and to observe and assess children's progress, these are in the formative stages and not yet fully effective in order to maximise children's individual learning and development. Therefore, partnerships

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the early years provision

with other settings are affected as limited information about next step plans are shared. Since the last inspection the childminder has also undertaken training to help her reflect upon her childcare practice and is at the very beginning of looking at ways to improve her service. These arrangements denote suitable steps to promote improvements for children's outcomes.

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the early years provision

Space is organised so children can play freely and access low-level boxes of appropriate toys and play materials. The childminder ensures individual preferences are taken into account when planning activities and experiences for children. A designated playroom, attractive posters and child-size furniture makes the space welcoming place for children. The childminder provides flexible childcare arrangements appreciated by parents. Therefore, relationships with parents are warm and friendly and information about children's routines and learning are discussed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Although the quality of children's learning and their progress towards the learning goals is improving, the childminder's implementation of the Early Years Stage framework is not yet sufficiently in place. Consequently children make only steady progress given their starting points and capabilities. However, they are happy and settled in the childminder's care as she has positive relationships with them. She uses these to provide suitable opportunities to help children in their learning. Language supporting mathematical understanding is encouraged as children and childminder talk about the numbers on the front of their houses or those they see as they walk along the road. They remind her about their school trip and 'how many sleeps' there are before they go.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to behave well; a laminated poster of simple house rules is displayed to remind children of the routines. Young children come in from pre- school and know for example to remove their shoes, they learn to take turns as the childminder and older children are good role models for them. Children have opportunities to learn about the differences of others and diversity in society. The childminder talks to children, they look at books together and celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year, in order to develop their understanding of the wider world. Skills for the future are suitably supported as children have opportunities to use simple electronic toys or the cash register as they play shop with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy lifestyles are appropriately supported as young children are helped to become independent as they zip up their own coats before going out in the cold weather. They learn about how animals grow as they watch carefully the childminder hand rear the baby ferrets she has in cages in the garden. She tells them why it is important for the babies to stay well fed and warm. Therefore, children learn to help care for themselves and for others.

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and outcomes for children

Broad and balanced food choices are encouraged by the childminder as children talk to her about their favourite fresh fruits. She weaves some positive messages about their choices, as children know that the riper pears are the 'older ones' and so are more 'juicy'. 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 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

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Stage

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

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 28/06/2011

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 28/06/2011

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