Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY104369 Inspection date 06/07/2011 Inspector Lynne Naylor

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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 2002. She lives with her two adult children in Halewood, Knowsley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes, as well as the toilet and bathroom on the first floor. A covered area at the side of the house is available for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from local schools. The family has a pet dog.

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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 range. The childminder occasionally minds with an assistant and when working together six children may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. There are currently six children attending who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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

Children's unique needs are effectively met and they make good progress in their learning and development. Children are cared for in a home that is organised to be inclusive, accessible and safe. However, the written risk assessment record does not contain all the legally required information. There is good verbal communication between the childminder and parents and links with other settings that children attend are evolving. The childminder is aware of her strengths and identifies suitable areas for development. She demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of the risk assessment identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 20/07/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen and extend systems to monitor and promote children's progress towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  build on the partnership with parents and providers of other settings that children attend to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder follows some useful policies and procedures to help keep children safe. She regularly refreshes her safeguarding training to keep her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures up-to-date. This means she has a good knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse or neglect and how to liaise with the appropriate agencies. The childminder takes effective action to keep children safe by minimising risks in the home. She completes risk assessments to keep children safe on outings and follows a useful checklist to help her risk assess some aspects of her home. However, it is not clear when and by whom the main written risk assessment was conducted, nor is every aspect of the environment that needs to be checked on a regular basis included. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. Other records linked to keeping children safe are well maintained. These include records relating to children's attendance, evacuation practices,

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the early years provision

accidents and the administration of medicine. The childminder's two adult children have undergone appropriate clearance procedures and are able to work as assistants. A valid first aid certificate ensures that the childminder is able to respond effectively to any accidents.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has converted a covered outdoor area into a play space. This enables children to play outdoors during most types of weather. She has also thoughtfully reorganised furniture indoors to provide more space in the playroom. This means children have independent access to a wider range of high-quality toys and books, which are now kept in the space. Children move freely around, choosing where and with what they would like to play. Some resources promote positive attitudes to differences in culture and respect for diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder obtains parents' views about her service mainly through verbal exchanges, although, she has recently begun using questionnaires. She takes parents' views on board, which helps to ensure her service meets the needs of the children who attend. Parents receive clear information about the childminding practice through informative policies and procedures that have recently been updated. The childminder and parents also verbally exchange information about children's likes and dislikes and what they know and can do. This provides the childminder with a clear knowledge of the children's individual needs, including health and dietary requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder carefully observes and assesses children's progress. Each child has a file that contains photographs and significant comments to evidence their progress. Comments made by parents about their child's development are used by the childminder when she plans the next steps in children's learning. However, information from parents and other settings that children attend is not included in the children's records of achievement. Therefore, the records do not yet provide a full picture of children's abilities. The childminder communicates with other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 providers of settings that children attend delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, this information is not always used effectively to ensure progression and continuity of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health, physical and dietary needs are well met in agreement with their parents. They eat nutritious lunches, such as, chicken, mashed potato and vegetables which are home cooked by the childminder. Toddlers demonstrate a developing awareness of their own needs. For example, they help themselves to drinks when they are thirsty. Indoors and outdoors, children maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. They learn to control their bodies in a wide variety of ways. For example, they develop climbing skills on equipment at the park. They develop good coordination as they play ball games in the meadow. Their bodies benefit from vigorous exercise in the fresh air. They play in a covered outdoor area at the childminder's home or go for walks in the woods or on the beach. This makes exercise fun and increases their awareness of nature as they look for items, such as twigs and shells.

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and outcomes for children

Young children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play harmoniously alongside each other and with the childminder. Children follow safety rules and regularly practise evacuations of the home. They regularly talk with the road crossing warden and the local police who patrol the woods. This successfully raises their awareness of the role of people who keep us safe. Their awareness is further promoted during interesting outings, such as to see the police horses and an American police vehicles show.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements increasingly well to plan interesting experiences and activities. Children learn about their own culture and those of others through planned activities. For example, at Chinese New Year, children tasted a range of Chinese foods. At Diwali, children joined with others to watch a dancer perform to Indian music. Children develop learning and social skills that equip them well for the future. They socialise and take turns with other children when they attend local activity groups. They show curiosity and a desire to explore. For example, they use a magnifying glass to look closely at shells and fossils. Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who effectively promotes their self-esteem. They play in a home that is interesting and welcoming with their art work, posters and interactive displays, such as, weather charts on the walls. The childminder's well-

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and outcomes for children

timed interactions successfully extend children's learning as they play. For example, she reads stories and provides a verbal commentary on what they are doing, which successfully extends their language and communication skills. She encourages them to remember events, such as, when the ladybird landed on her arm last week. This effectively raises their awareness of past and present. They also acquire knowledge of history as they regularly visit the art centre to dress in Edwardian clothes. Young children demonstrate an awareness of number and size as they count the caterpillars in a book and match the lids to the different sized This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pans during imaginative play. They demonstrate an awareness of technology as they operate toys with sturdy buttons. 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 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 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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