Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306236 Inspection date 03/10/2011 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 1994. She lives with her husband, an adult child and 13 year-old child in Upton in Wirral. The front lounge, hallway and kitchen/dining area of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder also uses an upstairs bedroom for children's sleep times. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years and two children before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. She attends local pre-school groups and regularly meets with other childminders in her area. The family has two pet cats.

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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 enjoy a wide range of stimulating and exciting activities in a settled, happy and fully inclusive environment. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and uses this effectively when planning the curriculum. Observation and assessment arrangements are in place, however, they are not clearly linked to track progress and development. All children are included and their safety and welfare is generally well promoted. Partnerships with parents and other agencies ensure that children are well supported and all of their needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding of her provision and uses self-evaluation to facilitate continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 Ensure children have the opportunity to wash their hands before mealtimes in order to promote their good health  Develop further the observation and assessment system to ensure children's progress is consistently identified.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and regularly attends training for safeguarding updates. She is confident of the protocols and procedures to be followed should she be concerned about the safety and well-being of a child in her care. The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where risks are identified and quickly minimized. Detailed daily checklists and written risk assessments are regularly updated and effectively safeguard children whilst at the premises and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 during outings. The emergency evacuation plan and fire drill are in place and practised on a monthly basis with the children. Children have a sense of belonging because the environment is well organized and devoted to their care, for example, photographs and children's work is prominently displayed in the dedicated

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the early years provision

playroom. All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is rigorous, well managed and regularly updated.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and uses this effectively to support the individual needs of the children. The environment is welcoming, safe and secure and includes a wide range of toys and resources that are accessible to the children. The childminder effectively evaluates her practice as she regularly self-assesses the provision. She accurately identifies her strengths and sets herself achievable targets for improvement. Contributions by parents to the childminder's self- assessment include regular verbal and written feedback about their child's learning and development and the quality of provision. The childminder acts on this feedback to improve and enhance the children's experience.

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the early years provision

A strong, committed and effective relationship with parents ensures that the needs of children are fully met. There is a two-way flow of information between parents and the childminder and the detailed daily diaries provide parents with comprehensive information about their child's progress. The childminder links closely with professionals, particularly with pre-school, nursery and school to ensure that transitions are smooth.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning as they play and develop their skills in this fully inclusive environment. Children's individual needs are effectively met and they are involved in fun, interesting and stimulating activities, some of which they initiate themselves and others led by the childminder. For example, the children select musical instruments as an activity, enjoying the sounds that they make. This is further enhanced by the childminder who develops the activity to include actions song and rhymes accompanied by the instruments. Children's next steps are identified through the use of observation with progress being tracked on development charts. However, observations and assessments are used independently of each other with few links between the two to consistently identify achievements and progress. The childminder knows the children very well and plans activities to meet their needs

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and outcomes for children

and interests, ensuring good progress through the early learning goals. Children's creative and literacy skills are developed as children paint with brushes, sponges and rollers and mark make using a range of tools including crayons, pencils and pastels. They develop numeracy skills as they play in the shop, counting the items that their customers have purchased and enjoy using the electronic cash register to take their money. Imaginative skills are becoming well developed as the children go to the shop to buy milk for the childminder's tea.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop social skills as they include each other in their play, they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cooperate well and share the resources fairly. For example, they engage in sustained play in the sand tray, equally sharing the vehicles that have been added in order to enhance their play. They behave well and ask adults to join in with their activities. Children explore their local environment as they walk to and from the local school and visit places of interest. Physical skills are developed as they play on the play on the large equipment and apparatus and attend weekly swimming sessions.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy lifestyles are promoted as children enjoy nutritious snacks and lunches and have free access to water throughout the day, ensuring that they remain hydrated. However, they do not consistently wash their hands before snack time. They independently toilet themselves and good health is generally well supported. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they regularly practise evacuation procedures. They develop an awareness of road safety as they walk to school, wearing fluorescent jackets and following the childminder's instructions to keep themselves safe. 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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