Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 502867 Inspection date 14/11/2011 Inspector Andrea McGanity

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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 has been registered since 2000. She lives in the Sandymoor area of Runcorn, with her husband and two children aged seven and 11. Her husband is also registered as her assistant. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed secure garden. The family have two pet guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child on the roll in early years age group. Care is also offered to children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder collects children from the local school and visits local places of interest. She also receives support from her local authority.

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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 benefit from being cared for by an experienced and dedicated childminder. The childminder provides an extensive range of activities and experiences which are rich, varied, imaginative and stimulating. Overall good systems are in place to monitor, assess and plan for children's learning. Partnerships with parents and other agencies are good, making sure that the learning needs of children are well met. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment for improvement. The self-evaluation systems in place and actions taken, demonstrate a good commitment to ensuring continual improvement in the setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system used to track children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are safe and well protected in the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. Arrangements for safeguarding are robust, regularly reviewed and carefully managed. Risk assessments are rigorous and are regularly updated. They are thorough and identify potential hazards in the setting. Actions to address hazards are quickly undertaken ensuring that the children remain safe. Children show a strong sense of security and feel This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safe within the setting. This is because the childminder talks about the dangers of slipping when climbing the ladders to use the trampoline

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She continually looks for ways to improve her provision for the children and to this ends sets herself targets which are realistic and challenging. She continues to develop her practice through training and has recently attended training on first aid and special needs. The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are highly positive and well established ensuring that each child's needs are met. The childminder regularly asks parent for their views through questionnaires. Parents are kept well-informed about their children's achievements, well-being and development. The childminder also uses daily diaries that effectively share two-way information on the children's experiences and allows parents to be involved in their children's learning. Effective relationships with other settings and professionals involved with the children are well established and contribute well to supporting children's welfare and learning.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are extremely well promoted through a varied range of resources, displays and activities. These fully enhance children's understanding of the world around them. For example, the children explore resources from the Ukraine and a Babushka doll.

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and outcomes for children

Although, systems for planning, observations and assessments are still emerging, the childminder demonstrates that she knows her children exceedingly well and takes into account their interests and abilities when planning activities and play opportunities. She supports children's learning through the excellent use of questions, craft activities and their understanding of the wider world. The childminder has completed observations and assessments on each of the children and this contributes to their next steps being met. The childminder encourages children to follow their own interests whilst providing alternatives through a wide range of resources and activities they find interesting and motivating.

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and outcomes for children

The children move confidently around the setting and make independent choices from the exceptional resources available to them. For example, the children will happily choose a toy from the shelves and share it with the childminder. Children are well behaved and very polite, saying 'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted by the childminder. She constantly praises and encourages the children to achieve, as a consequence children have good self-esteem and a sense of belonging. Children develop a respect for themselves and others and learn about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other cultures and beliefs. This is because the childminder provides a wide range of activities and experiences, which help them to value diversity. For example, the childminder sets up two displays with items from Australia and the Ukraine for the children to explore and ask questions.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy playing with the dough and talking about how it feels in their hands and what the colours are. The childminder supports the children well in their learning through the good use of open-ended questions to promote language and thinking. The childminder listens to the children, responding well to their requests. She gives the children a choice of what they would like to play with. For example, the children want to play with the dolls and the childminder asks if they would like the dolls pram too. The children develop an awareness of number, while playing outside on the trampoline they count how many jumps they have completed. Children's health and well-being is significantly enhanced because highly effective procedures are implemented to prevent cross-infection and robust systems are in place to record medication, accidents and existing injuries. Children show an excellent understanding of healthy eating and make healthy choices. For example,

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and outcomes for children

they drink when they are thirsty, eat fresh fruit and enjoy home-made meals. They independently wash their hands before meals and snacks and dry them thoroughly. Children have a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They have constant access to a wide range of physical activities outdoors which support their growing development needs. 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 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 1 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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