Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314954 Inspection date 11/11/2011 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 and adult daughter who is also a registered childminder on the premises. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor which includes the lounge, dining room conservatory and the kitchen area. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children under eight years may attend the setting when she is working alone and nine children under eight when she is working with another childminder on the premises. There are currently nine children on roll. Of these, four are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

She is undertaking a National Vocational Qualification level 3. She is supported by Warrington Sure Start.

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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 promotes children's welfare and learning exceptionally well. She displays a wealth of knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage which underpins the positive outcomes children experience in their learning and development. Excellent systems are in place in relation to planning, observation and assessment. Consequently, children are very happy, secure and make exceptionally good progress in the highly inclusive, homely friendly environment. A long established partnership between parents and other agencies ensures excellent involvement in meeting children's individual needs. Good steps are being taken to self-evaluate and to sustain her very high standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 using self-evaluation to reflect more on the progress children make across all outcomes.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of safeguarding issues and is very confident in her roles and responsibilities to protect children in her care. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 records all incoming injuries and events and has a detailed policy on her file. The environment is extremely bright, stimulating and very well organised. This enables children to actively participate in a wide range of opportunities and experiences, which foster their initiative, independence and confidence. Children know where to find a wealth of resources to further extend and enhance their play ideas and follow their own interests. Defined areas, such as, writing, investigation, construction and imaginary play, enable children to consolidate their learning extremely well. Very good free-flow to the garden reflects on the great fun children have playing outdoors. Furthermore, there is lots of evidence of children's work

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the early years provision

The daily routine promotes children's welfare and meets their needs exceptionally well. All documentation is in place and there are comprehensive written policies and procedures that promote children's health, safety, achievement, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder is committed and enthusiastic and continually strives with an assistant to improve the excellent home-from-home ethos she offers for children and parents. She describes her setting as 'one big family'. She is extremely skilled in ensuring that a fully-inclusive environment makes parents and children feel very secure and welcome. Parents value the consistent excellent care and standards. A very informative notice board and detailed newsletter helps to monitor the service and share regular updates. They are very well informed of the Early Years Foundation Stage and observe their children's learning journeys with excellent involvement in their development. The

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the early years provision

needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are being extremely well met and the childminder attends training in Makaton to ensure that she and all children attending can communicate amongst each other and everyone is given the opportunity to participate in all activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has exceptionally good systems in place to work with other agencies, complementing the Early Years Foundation provided. For example, she liaises with the local school and has had contact with them over the years and the childminding group at the Sure Start Centre. Certificates held on the file such as training in the Early Years Foundation Stage, workshops on safety and how to use the self-evaluation process, indicates the childminder regularly updates her knowledge to further develop her childcare practices. Her commitment to future training is her recent enrolment on the National Vocational Qualification level 3 and the new registration of her daughter from being an assistant will allow her to care for more children on the premises. She is very aware of her strengths and areas to further enhance children's learning. However, self-evaluation could reflect a bit more on the very good progress children make in all outcomes and share this

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she provides a very wide range of inspiring and challenging activities that take into account children's individual learning needs. She establishes very detailed children's starting points and interests. This enables her to monitor This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children very closely as they settle extremely well. From the time they arrive, the children are eager to explore whatever is available to them and they meet every new challenge with a real enthusiasm. Children enjoy a very good balance of child- initiated learning, which results in happy confident, motivated learners. She shares lovely warm relationships with the children and herself and her assistant have lots of fun with them. She skilfully observes children during play and uses this to plan for individual progress and identify suitable next steps in learning. She considers

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and outcomes for children

children's individual needs superbly in short-term planning and also plans topics termly to identify different types of learning, such as numbers or letters. Exceptionally good assessments systems track children's progress across all areas of their learning and are shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

There is a very strong emphasis on independence and children are encouraged to dress themselves with a little aid and hang up their coats. They are encouraged to make friends and play exceptionally well alongside their peers. Their levels of concentration are excellent, as they are allowed to spend time at their own chosen activity and go back later to consolidate their own learning. Children are taken out daily into the community, for walks to the park and use public transport to places of interest, such as the garden centre and an ice cream farm. A trip to the beach and zoo is extended by children talking about the sea and animals and drawing their experiences. They are encouraged to recognise different types of cars and look at houses when out in the community. Furthermore, they look at a map picking out different countries. They thoroughly enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year tasting different foods and making Chinese lanterns, dragons and learn how

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and outcomes for children

to use chop sticks. This and a wealth of other celebrations, gives them a very strong awareness of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to see examples of everyday print and to learn that print has meaning throughout the setting. There are lots of opportunities for young children to make mark, recognise their name and learn how to hold a pencil correctly. Language is extremely well promoted and the childminder stretches children to their full potential. All toys are labelled and enable children to freely choose what they want to play with. Children learn to count as they arrange the sunflower pots and calculate and solve problems throughout their daily routine. A wealth of games and puzzles helps them to recognise colours. They have ample opportunity to access a wide range of media to promote their creative development. Lots of photographs in the children's individual learning journey demonstrates children pouring and sinking in sand and water, using jelly, gloop, shredded paper, glue and marble and glass painting. Children are engrossed in

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and outcomes for children

dressing-up and small world. Their physical skills and coordination are encouraged as the childminder promotes outdoor play and exercise extremely well. Children have excellent opportunities to climb and balance using large equipment in the childminder's garden, taking a walk in the community and splashing in puddles in their Wellington boots. Furthermore, she takes them for a swim with ratios in the pool well adhered to at all times.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is extremely very well promoted. The premises are clean and discussions take place about the importance of washing hands and hygiene, which helps to develop children's awareness of the concepts of effective routines. They benefit from home-made varied menus that take account of children's dietary This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs. Meals are cooked from fresh ingredients and children try new fruits and hot foods, learn table manners and social skills, as they sit together for meals at the table. They have access to drinks at all times to keep them hydrated. A wealth of activities based around health, keeping good teeth and encouragement to use their own towels, further promote children's awareness of keeping hygienic.

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and outcomes for children

The frequent use of praise helps and a reward system contributes to children learning the importance of sharing and they have excellent respect for each other. The premises are extremely safe and secure and both inside and outside are subject to rigorous risk assessments. Trips are very well thought-out and planned to ensure that the children are safe but can still take risks and have fun. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe. They are constantly reminded to be careful when playing outside and a wealth of activities based around road safety and people who help us, reminds them of safety issues. A detailed fire policy is displayed and they regularly practise the fire drill, throughout different times of the day and term, this is recorded in detail. This gives children a strong awareness in the event of an emergency. 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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