Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306045 Inspection date 17/10/2011 Inspector Joanne Law

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children, aged 14 and 17 years old, in Irby, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age range, all on a part-time basis. The childminder attends a local toddler group and takes children out into the local community on a daily basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have a dog, two cats, guinea pigs, reptiles and fish.

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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

The childminder has organised her home well which enables the children to enjoy their time in a welcoming and stimulating environment. Children's unique needs are well met and they make good progress in their learning and development. Documentation to ensure the safety and welfare of children is in place. The childminder has made good progress to develop her service, since her last inspection and demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Good partnerships are developed between the childminder and parents to ensure that the needs of all children are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system for regular fire evacuation drills to be carried out and details recorded in a log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  enable young children to develop good hygiene practices by encouraging them to routinely wash their hands prior to eating.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected because the childminder is knowledgeable about local safeguarding policies and has effective procedures in place. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place, that include outings and means children are protected well both within the home and when outside. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home is safe and secure. Children are further protected because the childminder keeps good records, including medication, accident and attendance records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Year's Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The childminder provides a welcoming environment by displaying examples of children's artwork. The home is well organised and accessible to the children. For example, children actively choose their own resources which enables them to thrive and make good progress in their development. She provides the children with varied and imaginative resources and equipment that is well maintained. The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She has improved her record keeping which she identified as a weakness. She has addressed the previous recommendation promptly and effectively. The childminder is able to self-evaluate and is motivated to seek further improvement, she has attended relevant training to update her knowledge. She monitors the progress of children and adapts her teaching around this,

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the early years provision

including differentiating activities to meet the needs of all children and changing plans to follow children's interests.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers and their feedback holds positive comments about the service. The childminder and parents share important information about children's starting points and ongoing progress. This means that parents can become involved in their child's learning and each child is well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder also works with other settings to support individual children so that information is shared to promote children's learning and development. The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families. She establishes a good two-way flow of information with parents to ensure she meets children's individual requirements. She speaks to parents at the end of the day and provides them with a written report to share information about how the children have spent their time with her.

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the early years provision

An effective equal opportunities policy is regularly reviewed and supports the childminder well. This means that the individual needs of all children are met and all children are included fully, for example, the childminder plans for each unique child and has a clear understanding of learning styles. Resources are available that promote positive images of diversity and enhance children's awareness of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. Children enjoy an interesting range of activities which have clear links to the areas of learning. A systematic way of recording observations is in place. These are then used to inform planning to meet children's individual needs and interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well in familiar surroundings where the childminder is sensitive to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their needs and interests. Children demonstrate their independence as they move around the home selecting different toys and resources to play with. The good organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use the resources well and follow their curiosity as learners. There is low level shelving to access creative materials along with toys, tables, sofas and floor space. Children's language development is well supported by the childminder through positive interaction and she reinforces children's understanding using questions, statements and making learning fun. Children's awareness of people's differences is promoted as they are able to access a variety of resources and celebrate different festivals and celebrations, including Chinese New Year and Christmas. A range of electronic toys

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and outcomes for children

give children opportunities to acquire basic skills in operating simple equipment, including a laptop and computer.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are not always encouraged to wash their hands prior to handling food, however, the childminder demonstrates how and when this is normally done in order to develop children's understanding of good personal hygiene. Children have their own personalised towels and face cloths. Through nutritious snacks and meals the children are developing a good understanding of making healthy choices. They have recently grown cress to interest children further. Overall, opportunities for children to be active are good. They frequently use the local community for walks and to access toddler groups. They also play outdoors in the large enclosed garden. The childminder has indoor physical activities for the children, this includes soft play equipment. Other equipment they access, includes bats, balls and small sit-and-ride toys, that all support children's healthy growth and physical development. In addition, through painting, drawing, threading and

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and outcomes for children

malleable activities, the children are developing their dexterity and co-ordination skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy books, turning pages to look at pictures and gaining good listening skills whilst the childminder reads to them. Children have opportunities to solve problems and play with new ideas. Children enjoy using small world toys and are able to recognise colour during play, the childminder takes these opportunities to extend children's learning. The childminder shows a commitment to sustainability as children have opportunities to recycle.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe through practical daily routines and the childminder's guidance and discussions are held regarding what to do if there is a fire. However, children do not practise evacuation procedures to further their understanding. Their behaviour is good and lots of praise is given for positive behaviour. As a result, they are developing good self-esteem and understand when they have done well. 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 2 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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