Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY430544 Inspection date 20/01/2012 Inspector Anne Mackay

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 2011. She lives in the Brookvale area of Runcorn with her husband and one child aged 22 months. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs is used for childminding. The bathroom is also upstairs and there is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house which is used for outdoor play. The childminder has one small dog and goldfish as family pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for no more than five children under eight, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range and of those no more than one child may be under one year old. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and places of interest. She is also 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 making good progress in their learning and development as they benefit from a range of fun, stimulating and age-appropriate activities. Children's welfare is well promoted through effective relationships between the childminder and parents. Children benefit from the creative and thoughtful approach of the childminder. This means that children's individual needs are sensitively met. The childminder is fully committed to providing children with good quality experiences. She has mostly good systems in place for supporting children's progress towards the early learning goals and ensuring that she continually improves her provision.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 use the information obtained from observations and assessments to plan the next steps in furthering each child's developmental progress  develop further systems for monitoring and evaluating the provision by ensuring that the views of children are included.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. She is well informed about child protection and has the appropriate contact details available should she be concerned about a child. There are rigorous procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and she uses detailed risk assessments and daily checks to ensure that the areas and equipment used by the children are safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 For example, the childminder does not admit visitors to the setting whilst childminding. These systems and practices result in children being able to move freely and safely around the setting. The childminder gives a high priority to the supervision of children. She has processes in place for ensuring the safety of children outside of the setting, such as, children wearing wrist straps with the

p.4

the early years provision

mobile number of childminder which provides added protection in the event of children being lost. Children are further protected by the comprehensive accident, medical and attendance records kept by the childminder.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a broad and developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The environment is effectively organised. There is a good range of exciting resources for children to choose from, both outside and indoors. The childminder's creative approach results in her making additional resources, often together with the children, providing a very flexible response to their interests. Young children are supported in their exploration and play using natural everyday items to develop their curiosity. This means that they are able to thrive and make significant gains in their learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is broadly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and continually looks for ways to improve, for example, through undertaking further training in how to develop children's speech and language. She welcomes the support provided through the Local Authority and researches early years issues to enhance children's learning experiences. She sets appropriate targets for improvements in consultation with parents and other settings in her locality that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has yet not included the views of children within her self-assessment to fully identify strengths and areas to develop that will have a positive impact on them.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has made a promising start to her childminding business. She establishes secure relationships with parents to enable relevant information to be shared and she agrees targets jointly with them, for example, in relation to developing children's vocabulary. The childminder obtains details about children's routines, likes and dislikes enabling her to care for children in line with their individual needs and according to parents' wishes. She offers sensitive support to children who display behaviours indicating that they are not fully settled. The childminder readily adapts activities to ensure all children can access them. The childminder communicates with parents daily keeping them well informed about their child's day; information about children's developmental progress is shared through the provision of monthly written reports. Effective relationships with other provisions involved with the children are progressing steadily and are contributing

p.5

the early years provision

well to supporting children's welfare and learning. For example, the childminder accesses information from children's schools as to what they are learning and discusses with teachers any concerns. This means that children benefit from a continuity of approach from all the adults within their lives. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Effective and flexible routines ensure that children's welfare needs are well met, whilst planned activities provide creative and challenging opportunities for children to achieve. For example children learn about the world through themed activities such as "people who help", using books, 'small-world' people and dressing up activities to support children's knowledge and understanding. The childminder carries out and records detailed observations on children activities and learning. However, she has not put in place a system to use these observations and assessments to consistently plan the next steps to further each child's developmental progress.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder uses an integrated approach, enthusing children whilst engaging their learning across all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder supervises children closely and provides high levels of support and encouragement at all times. Children enjoy the active involvement of the childminder in their self-chosen play activity. For example, she joins in when children play music on the xylophone or engages with their imaginative play using 'small-world' people and talking on the toy telephone, thus extending their creative imagination alongside developing language. Children enjoy finding out what their bodies are able to do as they dance and jump around to music. Praise and positive reinforcement from the childminder provides the children with encouragement and reassurance whilst at the same time furthering their communication skills as she subtly introduces new vocabulary, introducing children to concepts of colour and

p.6

and outcomes for children

spatial awareness. Children's work is attractively displayed, for example, the kindness tree for all to value and admire.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have formed strong and trusting relationships with the childminder. As a result, they are very happy and growing in confidence. They demonstrate age- appropriate levels of independence and enjoy helping with tasks such as preparing for meals. Children enjoy healthy snacks and the childminder's menu is home cooked and very healthy. Good hygiene practices are furthered with children being encouraged to wash their hands before meals. Children follow the good example set by the childminder as they learn to respect one another and she works very hard to devise new ways to encourage joining in and sharing. Children are developing a respect for themselves and others and are learning about other cultures and beliefs. This is because the childminder makes effective use of books and activities to introduce new ideas and promote diversity. Children greatly enjoy free use of a good selection of books which is added and varied by trips to the

p.6

and outcomes for children

library. Children benefit from very regular opportunities to engage in a wide range of organised activities outside of the setting going with the childminder to the local children's centre and playgroups and the childminder seizes the chance of good weather play outdoors in the garden or go exploring in the local park. Overall, children play and learn in a welcoming and well organised environment which is conducive to them making good levels of progress in their learning and development. 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 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

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 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

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