Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348481 Inspection date 18/10/2011 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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 2007. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 12 years in Runcorn, Cheshire. Most of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends local early years groups. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has seven children on roll of whom six are in the early years age range. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification. The family have two guinea pigs.

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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 are happy, settled and well occupied in this welcoming family environment where their care, learning and development are generally very well supported. The childminder meets the children's individual needs by liaising closely with parents and ensures that all practice is inclusive. She shows an excellent commitment to supporting continuous improvement through training and has sound systems in place to evaluate her practice. Highly effective partnerships with parents and others are in place which strongly promote outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 08/11/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment in relation to hanging blind cords and the siting of the fire blanket.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from potential harm or neglect and how to pass on any concerns appropriately. She has attended training to support her awareness in this area and has a clear policy which she shares with parents. Other procedures, such as safe collection and regular fire drills, are carried out to further This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote children's welfare. The childminder maintains a generally very safe and secure house and garden and has effective systems for monitoring most potential hazards through both visual and written means. The record of the risk assessment is routinely updated and changes, such as the addition of a greenhouse in the garden, are included. However, the presence of some low blind cords and the position of the fire blanket may compromise children's safety. The childminder is

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the early years provision

clearly aware of the need to ensure all adults around the children are either appropriately checked or fully supervised. All documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting is well organised and regularly reviewed and all parental consents and most details about children are appropriately taken. However, the childminder is not fully aware of the need to seek out information about parental responsibility and legal access which may mean that children's welfare is not fully protected. The childminder has an excellent commitment to continuous improvement and has attended a wide range of training since her last inspection, including completing her level 3 National Vocational Qualification. She uses effective systems for reviewing her practice, including routine visits from the development worker, and regularly seeks the views of parents both verbally and through written methods.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment and works closely with parents to exchange information about children's individual needs and routines which helps them settle in easily. Children have access to an extensive range of resources to support their learning and development and have further opportunities to use amenities and attend groups within the wider community. Although she has not been asked to look after a child with special educational needs and/or disabilities she is aware of the importance of liaising with other professionals as is required and has attended some training to further develop her knowledge in this area.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents works very well and information is readily exchanged both verbally and by written means. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's day through frequent informal discussion and the sharing of their daily diary. Children proudly collect their work on the window sill to take home later and parents are encouraged to view children's learning journeys on a regular basis and add comments on their progress. Excellent links are in place with the local school and pre-school to help children in transition which enables early years practitioners to work together very effectively to support children's development. For example, parents have given their consent for information, such as developmental records, to be exchanged between the settings and purposeful discussion helps to further support each individual child. The childminder takes children to events at school such as assembly and sports day to cement these links and aid their transtion. This

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the early years provision

means that children's on-going development is very strongly promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children make warm and positive relationships with the childminder and are happily settled in an environment which supports their overall development very well. Children are learning about safety through general reminders about safe play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and using equipment appropriately, such as, sitting carefully on stools so they do not slip. Children take part in regular fire drills so they understand how to evacuate quickly and safely as well as enjoying a visit to the local fire station. Play activities centred around topics, such as using the road safety equipment in the garden, further reinforce children's awareness. In the summer, children have regular play in the garden and walks in the park as the childminder encourages fresh air and exercise to promote their health. Healthy meals and snacks further support their well-being and children also take part in cookery sessions so they learn more about

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and outcomes for children

different foods and nutrition. They are encouraged in routine practices such as hand washing with individual towels before meals and after toileting and brushing their teeth after breakfast. Children's behaviour is very good which means they know the routine well and respond readily to the guidelines in place such as helping to tidy away before starting another activity or using good manners. Their confidence and self-esteem is well supported through the encouragement and involvement they receive from the childminder which helps them to play harmoniously together and initiate their own play. Children are developing their knowledge and interest in the wider world through a range of interesting displays, play resources and creative activities around various celebrations. They enjoy looking at the map of the world on the wall and identifying the different countries or search the internet to find the road where they live. Children's real and social

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and outcomes for children

experiences are further enhanced through visits to, for example, the science museum, and attendance at community amenities like the library or playing with visiting friends both in the house and at other early years groups.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has created an inviting and stimulating play and learning environment for children with an extensive range of well-maintained resources to support all areas of learning. She also adapts and changes this to better meet children's needs, such as creating a quiet and comfortable reading area in the corner. The childminder has a general weekly activity plan which she displays for parents and includes attendance at weekly groups like 'Jo Jingles' where children enjoy exercise and singing to music. She notes the different celebrations, such as Halloween, and prepares craft activities around these such as making a pumpkin light. She provides an ideal balance between children's independent play choices and adult engagement and spontaneously extends their learning and inspires their interest through questions and suggestions. Activities are appropriately set out to include the different ages so that little ones play contentedly, exploring the shape

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and outcomes for children

sorters and rattles on the mat, while older ones enthusiastically engage in the activities set out in the play room as they return from nursery. Children have their own writing table where they draw and colour in pictures, identifying the colours they are using and then proudly setting them aside to take home. They engage in a wide variety of creative play as they mould and cut out shapes in the play dough or explore the feel of sand and water outside. They express themselves as they make different sounds with the various musical instruments. Children develop their problem solving and reasoning skills as they access a range of construction toys and puzzles, or work out how to raise the lift in the play garage. They role play with the different dolls and 'small-world' figures and enjoy dressing up in the various costumes. The childminder naturally engages children in regular conversation to develop their language skills, providing a wide range of books for

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and outcomes for children

them to look at and share. They join in with favourite songs and rhymes and are encouraged to share events from nursery and home. The childminder naturally This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 brings numbers and colours into this everyday conversation, providing questions and prompts to stimulate their thinking. Children are learning to appreciate nature as they help to grow plants such as broad beans.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gets to know the children well through information and regular discussion with the parents, both before they start and during her time with them. She monitors their development closely and effectively records her observations which she uses to evaluate their progress and identify their next steps. She reviews their progress routinely and shares this with parents so they can effectively work together to support children's learning and development. These observations are collected together, along with photos and comments, to provide a learning journey to treasure of their time with the childminder. 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 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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