Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406982 Inspection date 19/01/2012 Inspector Jane Shaw

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 years in the Ditton area of Widnes, Cheshire. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. There are contingency plans in place to call on another registered childminder in the event of an emergency or sickness.

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Description of the childminding

This childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be within the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in early years and is in receipt of support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming and inclusive environment. The childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and circumstances and is able to successfully promote their learning and development. Required records and documents, policies and procedures are in place and well maintained, and ensure the safety and welfare of children. Overall, positive partnerships with parents and carers and other early years professionals support children's care, learning and development. Systems for self-evaluation are in their infancy. The childminder demonstrates the capacity to improve through training and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of the provision for all children  develop further the two-way flow of information where children attend several settings to ensure that practitioners from each setting regularly share the child's development and learning records.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well promoted through the childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. Policies and procedures are in place, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and made available for parents and carers to view, ensuring that they are made aware of her role in protecting their children from harm. Minded children's welfare and safety is well promoted at all times, as the childminder completes daily safety checks of all areas used prior to their arrival and ensures the premises are fully secure at all times. More detailed risk assessments, for the premises and outings, are completed and regularly reviewed. Fire drills are conducted with children on a regular basis to ensure their prompt responses, and they receive a certificate after each drill. Children are developing an understanding of their own safety, for example, as they are reminded about the safe use of resources. Records and

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the early years provision

documentation are well maintained in order to ensure the safe and efficient management of the service.

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the early years provision

Systems of self-evaluation are in their infancy. The completion of actions raised at the last inspection, and access to training and development to improve her knowledge and understanding of planning, observation and assessment, demonstrates the childminder's commitment to continuous improvement. A range of resources and activities indoors, outdoors, and away from the childminding setting, provide children with a variety of opportunities to support their learning and development. An inclusive environment is created, where all children have equal access to resources, activities and opportunities on offer.

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the early years provision

Good partnerships with parents and carers successfully promote and support children's placements. They have access to information about the childminding service, along with the childminder's policies and procedures. They have been asked to give their views through questionnaires, and the response received showed their satisfaction with the service. They receive verbal feedback upon collection, and a daily diary is available for younger children. Partnerships with other professionals have not yet been fully implemented.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gathers relevant information on each child to enable her to plan activities and opportunities. Children are settled and happy and warm relationships with the childminder are developing. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements, and as a result children make steady progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Formal written planning is completed, including long term monthly plans. These are based around themes, for example 'all about me' and 'winter'. From these, weekly plans are drawn up, matching activities to the areas of learning. Plans are flexible and are adapted to meet the individual interests and abilities of children. Focussed and spontaneous observations of children's development are completed, matched to the areas of learning, and used to plan children's next steps. The childminder tracks children's progress across the six areas of learning. Each child has a developmental file, containing observations linked to the areas of learning, photographs and pieces of work. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children independently select resources from the range available. They are confident and behaviour is good; they share and take turns with resources, and

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and outcomes for children

develop an understanding of others through themes, discussion and activities. Children show concentration and perseverance at activities, for example as they make Chinese dragons. A variety of opportunities to make marks are available, and early language skills are developing well. Children have access to a variety of age- appropriate books. Older children know their letters, for example when playing a memory game, they know that 'p' and 'l' are the first two letters of the word 'plate'.

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and outcomes for children

Children match and sort using a variety of resources. They count their pieces as they put together their Chinese dragon. Children have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor play, for example as they use the garden, and enjoy regular walks in the local environment. Children develop fine motor skills, for example younger children push buttons and pull levers; older children join together pieces as they make models.

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and outcomes for children

A variety of craft activities develops their imaginative and creative abilities and babies and younger children have access to sensory materials, such as a treasure basket, enjoying the texture of the different materials. They engage in imaginary play. Children develop an understanding of their environment, the wider world and others, as they celebrate festivals, such as Chinese New Year.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an appropriate understanding of healthy lifestyles through routines and practices, outdoor play and walks, snacks, access to drinking water, and the importance of hand washing. Children's behaviour is good, promoted through good role modelling and a positive behaviour management policy. Access to different activities and opportunities supports children's skills for the future. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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