Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY350188 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Rachel Deputy

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 19 years in Knowsley, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, except for the office, is used for child-minding. There is a downstairs toilet and a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years. Currently there are nine children on roll, of which eight are in the early years age range. The childminder operates five days a week from 8am to 5.30pm, opening all year round except for public holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and highly stimulating environment where their individual needs are supported. Drive and motivation of the childminder is a key strength which ensures that children are happy, have positive experiences and are well cared for. Documentation to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is mostly in place.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure there is a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or a member of the childminder's family.(Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 13/02/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 identify children's starting points and strengthen the links between planning and assessment systems to clearly show how their individual next steps are to be planned for to offer sufficient challenge and maximise their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

In most respects children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder is dedicated in her role and places strong emphasis on protecting children and ensuring their safety. She has a good understanding of child protection and knows what to do should she have concerns about the children in her care. Adults living at the setting are appropriately vetted. This helps to effectively safeguard children. Most policies and procedures required to promote the safe and effective management of the setting are in place; for example, confidentiality and medication procedures. The childminder does not have a clear procedure in place to manage an allegation against herself or a member of her family. This is a breach of the welfare requirement. However, the impact of this on the children's safety is minimal due to the effective procedures for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of up-to-date risk assessments to support her in ensuring the areas used by the children are safe. For example, keys to the front door are kept on a hook out of children's reach. This means that children are able to move safely and freely around the building and cannot leave unsupervised.

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the early years provision

The environment is very well organised and accessible to the children. For example, the childminder has created a communication friendly space so that the environment supports children's speaking and listening skills and emotional well- being. This means that children are able to thrive and make good progress in their development. 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 end sets herself ambitious and appropriate targets. She has addressed previous actions and recommendations promptly and effectively. For example, she has purchased multicultural toys that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities. The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers. She actively encourages parents to make suggestions and become involved with her

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the early years provision

provision using questionnaires. This means that parent's wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. Effective relationships with other provisions 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

The child-minder places the promotion of equality of opportunity at the heart of all her work. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs. This means that she is able to consistently offer sensitive support to children during activities based on their individual needs and stages of development. She readily adapts activities to ensure that all children can access them. As a result the development of nearly all children in relation to their starting points is good and they are fully included in the life of the setting. The childminder updates her skills and knowledge on a regular basis. An effective equal opportunities policy is regularly reviewed and supports the childminder well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

All children gain an exceptional understanding of personal safety as they practise the fire evacuation procedures with their peers and the childminder on a regular basis. All children show a strong sense of security and feel safe within the setting. They interact positively with one another and the childminder, seeking comfort and assistance when they need it. They are extremely confident to express themselves because the childminder provides positive models of language use to help the children to express their discomfort or dislike of something. For example, the children hold out their hands and say 'stop I don't like it' when they are uncomfortable in a situation. This empowers children and develops their self- confidence and self-esteem. Children choose freely from the broad range of resources that are easily accessible in their play areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children have innovative opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities both inside and outside. The childminder sensitively supports the children outside as they use large equipment such as slides, swings and bikes to develop their gross motor skills. As a result the children confidently set their own challenges. They freely move around the garden and enjoy being physically active. Children show an exceptional understanding of the importance of following good hygiene routines. They know to wash their hands before mealtimes and after visiting the toilet as they do this during everyday routines. Children show an excellent understanding of healthy eating and make healthy choices at snack and meal times. Children enthusiastically brush their teeth after eating because the childminder promotes oral hygiene successfully.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses observations to inform planning. The childminder does not formally identify children's starting points however; the impact of this is minimal because the links between planning and observation show children's progression through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder interacts with the children very well and encourages the children to think critically. For example, the childminder asks children to solve problems such as how to stop a balloon from moving about during a paper-mache activity. Good use is made of spontaneous learning opportunities, as the childminder talks to the children about how the glue has dried on her hands and what it looks and feels like. Children's language is well fostered through conversation with the childminder, who listens carefully and responds appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave really well in the setting because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. Children are able to manage their behaviour very well because the childminder has introduced Makaton sign language very effectively. This means that children with limited vocabulary are still able to communicate well. As a result they do not become frustrated when they are misunderstood. For example, a two year old signs the colour of the pencil she wants to use because she has forgotten its name. She smiles with delight when an older child responds by passing it to her. The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to learn about the wider world through the sharing of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 festivals and resources that reflect difference and diversity, such as displayed posters and photographs. Cultural resources are integrated into the environment

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and outcomes for children

extremely well. As a result children's thinking is challenged. Children show respect for themselves and each other because the childminder skilfully supports children as they learn to express their feelings and consider the feelings of others through the skilful use of circle time. A variety of planned trips and outings help children to learn about the world around them, for example, they go on visits to the beach, the zoo and the museum to join in with a craft activity linked to recycling. Colourful examples of their work, along with posters and photographs, help to promote their sense of belonging and self-esteem. 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 1 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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