Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 323085 Inspection date 17/10/2011 Inspector Andrea McGanity

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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 1981. She lives in the Windle area of St Helens, with her husband who is also registered as her assistant. Her daughter is also registered as her assistant. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a secure fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.When working with an assistant, a maximum of 10 children under eight years may be cared for.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has achieved Quality First, a quality assurance scheme. She networks with other local childminders and is supported by her local authority. The childminder walks to the local schools and nurseries and visits local places of interest.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is a highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed practitioner. She is diligent in ensuring she has excellent, up to date knowledge of the individual needs of the children in her care. Exemplary systems are in place to work in partnerships with parents and others to promote continuity and progression in children's learning and development. The childminder is self-motivated and demonstrates a very positive attitude to improvements, such as developing her planning to ensure that she helps the children make outstanding progress in their learning and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing a systematic and routine approach to planning motivating play experiences for each child.

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the early years provision

Children are settled and secure within the childminder's safe and child-orientated setting. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures and has undertaken safeguarding training recently to update her knowledge. Consequently the children are extremely well protected from harm. The environment used by the children is extremely safe, well organised and creates maximum space for the children to explore both indoors and outdoors. The childminder has completed comprehensive documented risk assessments for the setting and on outings, which she reviews regularly to ensure any hazards are kept to a minimum that promote children's on going safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective in enabling the integration of all children and encouraging them to take part in activities, if they wish. This actively promotes the equality of opportunity. She is extremely knowledgeable about the children's backgrounds and needs and is highly skilled in planning for their learning and development. The environment is vibrant and challenging and the children benefit from, and thrive as a result of this. They have easy access to a rich and varied range of resources both indoors and outdoors.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent capacity for improvement. All previous recommendations have been met for example she has changed how she records the administration of medication very effectively for children's well-being. She reflects on her strengths and weaknesses and is developing further her system for planning motivating play experiences for each child.

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the early years provision

The excellent partnerships with parents developed by the childminder are highly beneficial to the continuity of care the children receive and support their learning and development. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning. For example parents are encouraged at the weekend to complete a look, listen and note diary where they record what they have being doing. This significantly enhances the children's learning because the childminder using this information in her planning very effectively. Parents are also encouraged to contribute to their child's learning journals, they document their own observations and comments. Parents comment very highly about the provision. For example they comment that 'She enriches the learning of our child' and 'Our child can't wait to get out of the car in the morning to come and never wants to leave'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about offering support to children with special educational needs. The children's uniqueness is fully respected which greatly promotes their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder encourages children to gain an understanding of people with differences, for example she provides a wealth of resources that reflect positive images of diversity including dolls, figures and books. She liaises closely with parents and is extremely confident to follow any specific advice or plans suggested by other professionals.

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and outcomes for children

The children are cared for in a highly stimulating and welcoming environment. The exceptionally well-organised day provides interesting, varied and imaginative This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences that meet the needs of all children exceedingly well. This is because the childminder has excellent understanding of each individual child's needs. The children move confidently around the setting and make independent choices from the exceptional resources available to them.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a strong sense of security and staying safe within the setting. For example children talk about how they need to wear a hat and sun cream in the summer. The systems for assessments and achievement are highly comprehensive and demonstrate that children are making consistent progress towards the early learning goals. These meticulous records enable the childminder to identify their next steps in children's learning and she systematically plans for these. Children's records cover every area of learning and the childminder analyses their development to prioritise experiences that promote their development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's approach to developing children's understanding of a healthy attitude is excellent. They access the outdoors daily and photographs show the children out in all weather. For example, there are photographs of fun in the snow, putting on their wellingtons, rain macs and umbrellas and splashing in the puddles in the rain. Children benefit from a healthy diet of freshly cooked food which is nutritiously balanced. Also food that they have grown on the childminder's allotment or from their vegetable patch in the garden. They make their own soup, and make mash with the potatoes, giving them an understanding of what vegetables can taste like. While having snack of fresh fruit the childminder asks the children which bin do the food scraps go in and they shout the worm bin not the rubbish bin. This means the children are developing good skills for the future. Children take responsibility for their own health as they wash their hands before

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and outcomes for children

eating and after going to the toilet. They also know to get a tissue and independently blow their nose when they sneeze.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely confident and happy in the environment and have very close relationships with the childminder, talking with her while they play. She continually responds to their early communications, talking about what they are doing. She supports and challenges them continuously for example children on the telephone saying 'Hi ya, hi ya' the childminder asks 'Who is it, is it mummy or is it daddy?'

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and children sit together and share books. The children point to the diggers in the books and the childminder encourages them to say what colour they are or what does that digger do. There is a strong sense of togetherness as they pursue this activity. Children have many opportunities to be creative during the day. All around the setting are photographs of the children experiencing rich and varied creative activities. Children independently select the musical instruments and begin to play them. Other children join in and copy. This helps children to express their feelings. The childminder skilfully engages herself in their play and encourages them to extend their play by showing them all the instruments and what sounds they make.

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and outcomes for children

All children engage in a wide range of activities and experiences, which helps them to value diversity. For example, as one child leaves the setting to move to Australia the children are encouraged to talk on the internet where they share their news This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with each other. They also send letters and pictures. The childminder is an excellent role model for the children. She shows genuine respect in what they do and in response to their actions. This gives them high levels of self-esteem through her warm praise and encouragement. She is sensitive in managing their behaviour and gently reminds the children to share their toys. 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 1 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 1

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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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