Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315036 Inspection date 25/10/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and one child, aged 15 years, in the Burtonwood area of Warrington, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding along with the upstairs bathroom and two bedrooms. There is access to an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog as a family pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on The Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, of these, three may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently 10 children on roll, four of these are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 have access to stimulating and interesting learning opportunities to help them make good progress towards the early learning goals. They are recognised as unique individuals and supported in their development in a way which is appropriate to each child. Arrangements to promote children's welfare are, on the whole, implemented effectively in a caring, homely and secure environment. Positive links with parents, based on effective information sharing, help to involve them in the children's care and education. The childminder has enthusiasm and a good capacity to continuously improve, making effective use of training, advice and her childcare experience to develop her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 26/11/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 practise regular evacuation drills and record the details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved in a fire log book. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively manages procedures to safeguard children. She has a good knowledge of local child protection procedures and the action to take to protect any child in her care. The safeguarding policy is shared with parents so that they understand her duty of care. Adults in the home are known to Ofsted to enable appropriate checks to be carried out.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a defined procedure for evacuation from the property, but has not practised it to ensure that it is effective and that children understand how to react in an emergency. Children learn to play safely because they are well supervised. The childminder is vigilant and demonstrates an understanding of how to minimise hazards. However, a risk assessment document has only been maintained for outings children take part in and is not in place to cover all aspects of the premises that need to be checked on a regular basis, to confirm how children are kept safe.

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the early years provision

Children are helped to settle in the provision due to the effective, supportive partnerships the childminder forges with the parents. She gets to know and understand their lifestyle, their children's individual likes and dislikes and helps them to feel secure about the care arrangements. The childminder recognises the benefits of liaison with other settings children attend to promote continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

Information is shared with parents through regular verbal dialogue. Daily contact books are offered to enhance communication, although most parents prefer more informal exchanges of information. Parents' views are gathered to enable the childminder to develop her practice. They show their complete satisfaction with the service provided, making comments, such as, 'my childminder is a very special lady and we consider her part of our family, my child looks forward to spending time with her'.

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the early years provision

Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and are invited to take part in outings to places of interest, such as, to the zoo or museum. The outings are arranged by the childminder to complement the themes children follow. The childminder makes clear her commitment to inclusion. She ensures that all children learn to value diverse cultures and one another's differences, through activities, discussion and play materials. The range of resources available are of a good quality and are chosen to suit all age ranges of children attending.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a wealth of childcare experience and a realistic view of her practice. She develops her procedures following attendance at training courses. For instance, as a result of discussions at a first aid course she recently completed, the childminder has confirmed that the older children understand the action to take in the event that she has an accident while they are in her care including compiling an emergency contact number poster for them to refer to. She is using self- evaluation to identify further plans for the future. She is keen to develop her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge base further through training opportunities, discussions with other local professionals and through the reading of childcare literature.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is comfortable, welcoming and well maintained. Children are interested in the activities and resources presented and make choices about what they want to play with. The childminder skilfully supports their play, for example, she demonstrates a clear understanding of how they learn and offers challenge relevant to their stage of development. Children enjoy a wide variety of play experiences and activities, both indoors and in the community, which support their learning and development well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is familiar with children's likes and dislikes. She ensures their favourite activities are available to enable them to feel settled and secure, adapting their use to introduce a variety of learning opportunities. She uses spontaneous opportunities well within the daily routine to challenge, question and develop their skills and knowledge. In this way children are helped to apply their skills, for instance, by recognising initial sounds, using number, colour and shape in everyday situations. Their language development is encouraged through consistent, meaningful chatter. Toddlers begin to respond to familiar words and to copy and make recognisable sounds as they play, such as 'roaring' like a lion and 'brumming' like a car.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a wide range of colourful, interactive toys, beginning to recognise that one action has an effect on another and delighting in the reactions they create. They learn about the wider world as they take part in interesting topics, which children help to plan. Through the 'ABC Safari' theme, they find out about animals of the world. They use the globe to establish the country they originate from and through factual books they learn about the natural habitat they live in. They make colourful murals for the wall using a range of creative skills, such as, cutting, sticking, painting and paper curling. They consolidate their learning through an outing to the zoo, where they see some of the animals they have researched.

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers benefit from the close relationships developed with their carer. They enjoy cuddles to reassure and soothe them and one-to-one story time when they need a rest. Their routines are sensitively met and they settle for a sleep very quickly, showing their contentment and feeling of safety in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children help to prepare the lunches, recognising the need to wash their hands before handling the food. They wipe down the dining table with antibacterial wipes and understand that the reason for doing so is to ensure that they are protected from germs. They are encouraged to try new tastes and textures through the introduction of a range of nutritious snack and meal options, which promote their good health. Outdoor play opportunities are offered each day to provide time for fresh air, active play and exercise. Children relish the use of wheeled toys, stilts and skipping ropes and older children assist their younger playmates to take part This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in the activities. They are considerate to one another's needs, well mannered and play together harmoniously. 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: 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) 26/11/2011

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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) 26/11/2011

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