Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433107 Inspection date 09/02/2012 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 2011. She lives with her mother and sister in Runcorn, Cheshire. Her sister is registered as her assistant. The whole of the ground floor of the property 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 and pre-schools. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently caring for five children in this age group and all attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to several older children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification.

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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

Children's individuality is recognised and valued and their needs are suitably met. They are making satisfactory progress and enjoy access to a wide range of resources and a variety of activities that help them to learn through play. The childminder works in partnership with parents and appropriately exchanges information with them and other professionals to ensure continuity and consistency of care for children. Systems for maintaining and sharing children's learning and development records are still in their infancy and some required paperwork is not in place. However, the childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a suitable capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 16/02/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods for continuous observational assessment to help form an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accurate view of where children are in their learning and development and where they need to go next and explore ways of sharing development records with parents and encouraging their involvement in the ongoing planning, observation and assessment process  develop the outdoor environment to enhance children's learning and development and to provide them with more opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is able to implement procedures promptly and correctly should she have any concerns about children. She has attended recent safeguarding training and ensures that parents are aware of her responsibilities in this respect. All adults living in the home have been suitably vetted and children are appropriately supervised at all times. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. Risk assessment records include required detail and the childminder visually checks her premises and equipment on a regular basis. The childminder has devised a collection of written policies and procedures that support her inclusive practice and suitably outline her service. However, children's welfare is not fully protected because not all required documentation is in place. The childminder has not requested written parental

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the early years provision

permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for all the children in her care.

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the early years provision

Children are settled in the warm and homely environment provided by the childminder. They have plenty of space to play and rest and enjoy easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment. Children mainly play in the conservatory at the back of the house and this is a thoughtfully organised and child-friendly environment. Examples of children's artwork are displayed and an array of toys is easily accessible to children. Systems for self-evaluation are satisfactory and the childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of some of her strengths and weaknesses. For example, she describes one of her main strengths as her experience of working with children and identifies that paperwork is not her strong point. She is keen to improve her service and plans for the future include attending further training to enhance her knowledge and understanding of relevant subjects.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder has formed friendly relationships with them and their parents. She talks to parents about their parenting practices and they have shared some information with her about their child's routines, needs and interests. The childminder is not caring for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has some experience in this area and recognises the value of working with other professionals, when the need arises, to ensure she is meeting children's particular requirements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making steady progress in their learning and development. They are at ease with the childminder and the atmosphere within her home is happy and relaxed. The childminder demonstrates a suitable working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn and develop. She plans a variety of activities that engage children and help them to gain the skills that they will need in future life. For example, children sing nursery rhymes, look at books and listen to stories and these experiences help to increase their language and communication skills. The childminder is calm and patient and actively encourages children to be independent; they help to tidy away toys and set the table for meals. Children are learning about technology and how it is used as they play with interactive toys and they are gaining an understanding of the wider community as they participate in some activities inspired by religious and cultural festivals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has started to observe children during play and records some of what she sees and hears. She gathers some information about children's starting points, individual needs and preferences and has started to assemble developmental records for individual children. In discussion she demonstrates a suitable knowledge of where individual children are at in their learning and development and where she hopes to move them on next. However, systems for carrying out observations and assessments and for recording this information are still in their very early stages. Also, there are no clear systems in place for sharing developmental records with parents or for inviting them to contribute to the planning, observation and assessment process. As a result, children may not be sufficiently challenged or supported to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably promoted. All areas of the childminder's home used for childminding purposes are clean and appropriate safety and hygiene routines are in place with regards to family pets. Children are learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as they eat healthy meals and snacks and engage in regular physical play. They use play equipment at local parks and move to music and the childminder has plenty of resources to encourage their all-round physical skills. However, the childminder's garden is not utilised to its best effect and this reduces opportunities for children to do things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well aware of the learning potential of everyday situations and thoughtfully uses outings to introduce and reinforce road safety and 'Stranger Danger'. Children visit local community groups, parks and the library and these outings help to develop their social skills and broaden their range of experiences. The childminder is a good role model for children and demonstrates through her words and actions that she values and respects other people. Children behave appropriately and are learning to share and take turns in their play. Children's self- esteem and motivation are enhanced because the childminder promptly acknowledges their good behaviour, effort and achievement. 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 3 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make information available to parents in respect of the registration system for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 16/02/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Providing information to parents). 16/02/2012

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