Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY412801 Inspection date 23/11/2011 Inspector Sue Mann

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and 16 years in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to three children over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled within the setting and participate in a good range of activities. Their needs are routinely met because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. There are good systems in place to monitor the children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children benefit from the good partnerships between the childminder and their parents due to effective information sharing. Overall, there are good systems in place to ensure that children are safeguarded; however the fire evacuation drill has not been practised for some time. The childminder continually evaluates the quality of her provision and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve opportunities for children to increase their understanding of fire safety through regular evacuation drills that are recorded in a fire safety log book.

p.4

the early years provision

Overall the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children as she has attended relevant training. Therefore she knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder's evacuation procedures have not been practised for six months; children therefore do not have sufficient opportunities to learn how to protect themselves in the event of a fire. Accurate hours of attendance for each child are maintained and all policies, procedures and child records that are required for efficient management of the setting are maintained. This ensures that the children feel safe and secure in the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's good health and well-being is promoted effectively through the childminder's hygiene routines and her commitment to ensure all steps are taken to prevent the risk of infection. Daily risk assessments are carried out to ensure

p.4

the early years provision

the setting is safe for the children who attend.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with the parents to meet the needs of every child. The childminder has a behaviour policy which is shared with parents. She seeks and takes account of the views of the parents through daily verbal conversations. Parents are well informed about their child's achievements, developments and well-being through their daily sheets and the learning journals. The childminder has forged good links with other local childminders and professionals. She has also developed good links with the local school, which means children's transition into school is smooth.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes positive outcomes for children as she has clear ideas about her setting and where she would like to make changes and improvements, although she has not yet formulated her self-evaluation. The childminder has a fully inclusive approach to meeting the needs of all children and promotes equality and diversity through books, posters and a range of appropriate resources. Children in the setting benefit from a wide range of resources which are easily accessible from low-level shelves. The childminder responds very well to the children's interests, she adds extra soap mixture to the hand washing bowl to allow the children to explore the bubbles created.A wide variety of activities and resources which cover the six areas of learning and development are used effectively by the childminder. This ensures that the children make good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.5

and outcomes for children

A well-planned settling-in process ensures that the transition into the childminder's care is smooth. Time spent at the beginning of each new child starting ensures that the childminder is fully aware of the children's needs and development. Systems for assessing children's learning and development are effective as the childminder uses her observations to plan appropriate next steps. Achievements are noted in their comprehensive learning journals, which are updated regularly to ensure that children's progress is well documented. Children are confident and demonstrate a sense of security and belonging to the setting.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children display very good levels of confidence and self-esteem as they are given opportunities to be independent. They display a good awareness of hygiene and staying healthy as they wash their hands after messy play and before eating. The children are provided with healthy snacks and a home cooked evening meal. Fresh drinking water is available for the children at all times which ensures they are hydrated. She has recently implemented a successful new behaviour tool, in which she uses coloured beads in boxes to show the children the effects of unwanted behaviour. This has been effective in managing the behaviour of the older children. A small reward given at the end of the week further encourages the children to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 respect the house rules and each other.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support the children's learning and development. This ensures the children make good progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder demonstrates this in her good, written observations which ensure that the children's development and their next steps are identified and recorded. Children benefit from the wide range of good quality resources available to them. The childminder supports each child to ensure that they are able to reach their potential. The children have the opportunity to develop their physical skills outside on bikes, whilst a house and play kitchen allows for role play to be continued. The childminder takes children to the local park for further physical challenges. Indoor physical exercise is promoted through appropriate children's television which encourages them to sing, dance and increase their movements.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop an awareness of the world around them through celebrating customs and cultures from around the world. Appropriate books and other resources further develop their cultural awareness well. Children are provided with wide ranging creative resources, which develops their mark making skills. They clearly enjoy making pictures with paint and glitter to take home. This enhances their creative development well. Board games help promote turn taking and sharing, whilst a 'den' provides an opportunity for the children to quietly sit and look at books. Children develop problem solving skills through puzzles, whilst resources depicting numbers help children develop an awareness of numeracy. Small world toys and a selection of dolls help the children to develop their imaginative play. A selection of dressing-up clothes further enhances this development. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are promoted

p.6

and outcomes for children

through the high quality interactions with the childminder as they listen to stories and sing songs. Children develop good future skills through the use of electronic toys and keyboards. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8