Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY270244 Inspection date 01/11/2011 Inspector Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones

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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 2003 and works alongside another co- childminder. She lives with her husband, and one adult child in the Prescot area of Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the home and an additional bathroom on the upper floor of the home are used to care for children. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. When minding with her co-childminder she may care for a maximum of 12 children, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. She has 10 children on roll, of these, eight are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes children out to visit several places of interest on a regular basis.

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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 provides a welcoming, inclusive and secure environment for the children in her care. She has good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which enables the children to generally make good progress in all areas of learning. Regular planning, observation and assessment of children's achievements are undertaken to ensure their learning needs are met by the childminder. Parents and carers have a good relationship with the childminder and are complimentary of the service provided. The childminder maintains close links with childcare organisations and professionals. She has a clear vision for the provision and has identified key priorities for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles to include their next steps for learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding arrangements are good because the childminder has in-depth knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and procedures. She regularly attends update training and has a comprehensive policy in place to ensure that the children are safeguarded. Risks to children are quickly identified and minimised because risk assessments are effective. Checklists carried out on a daily basis and a major, annual risk assessment enables the childminder to keep the children safe. Clear policies and procedures that cover all regulatory requirements are in place and are reviewed annually.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation provides the childminder with a clear vision for the development of her provision. The regular updating of the self-evaluation ensures that she is able to identify priorities for improvement and to review the actions taken to address these priorities. Parents and carers contribute to the self-evaluation through regular feedback including questionnaires and formal written feedback. This information is then used when the childminder is reviewing her provision and updating the self-evaluation. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification and regularly updates her knowledge and skills through the attendance at training courses, to enable her to support the children's learning and development. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed and have had a positive impact on the provision.

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the early years provision

Children display high levels of independence and self-esteem because equality and diversity is well promoted, enabling the childminder to provide inclusive care for all children. Links with professionals and the childminder network, ensure that children are well supported in their learning and development. Strong relationships with parents and carers develop a two-way communication flow. They are highly satisfied with the provision and are fully involved with all aspects of their child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Activities are fun, interesting, stimulating and inclusive because the childminder plans the curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of the children. Careful planning of a range of activities provides a good balance between adult-led activities and those the children initiate themselves. For example, the children enjoy playing with balloons and develop the activity to throw and catch the balloons. Children make good progress through the early learning goals because the childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Observation and assessment of children's progress and achievement is regularly undertaken, observations are evaluated and tracked against developmental stages This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 but on occasion do not identify the next steps for children's learning. Children's learning journals include observations, photographs and examples of children's work and clearly identify achievements. Children's progress and development is regularly tracked against development charts that are linked to the early learning goals in all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good concentration skills as they work independently to complete jigsaws or work at the tool bench, safely using children's pliers, screwdrivers and hammers. They enjoy mark-making using a range of tools to develop their literacy skills. Children self-register on arrival and are beginning to recognise their names. The childminder supports language development, as she involves herself in the activities with children. For example, as the children look at and enjoy books, the childminder talks to them about the pictures and the story.

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and outcomes for children

The stimulating outdoor area encourages children to develop physical skills by using the range of climbing and balancing equipment available. They learn about the weather as they independently put on their waterproofs and play outside in the rain. They visit places of interest and learn about the wider world. For example, they visit the childminder's horse, helping to care for it but also developing an awareness of safety around large animals.

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and outcomes for children

They take turns with the resources and share willingly with others, they help to tidy up at snack time and set the table for lunch. Numeracy skills are effectively developed as the children count the children at the table and set out the correct number of table places. Manners and behaviour are exemplary, for example, as the children say please and thank you and ask if they may leave the table after lunch.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel and are kept safe within the setting. Equipment is handled safely and children are aware of road safety, as they walk to and from nursery and school. Their health is effectively promoted and children are developing good hygiene practices. They wash their hands after independent toileting and before snack and brush their teeth after lunch. Healthy and nutritious snacks and meals are provided and children have free access to water and sugar free juice to ensure that they remain hydrated. 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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