Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY344305 Inspection date 14/12/2011 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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 2006. She lives with her husband and their home is close to St Helens town centre. The whole of the ground floor is used to care for children. There is a fully enclosed garden and paved area available for outdoor play. The childminder has two dogs, a cat, a tortoise, a blue-tongued skink and three African pygmy hedgehogs.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently 11 children on roll, eight of whom are in early years age group, the majority of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder also works with an assistant and is then registered to care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She walks to nearby places of interest and drives to those further a field. The childminder holds a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in early years and childcare.

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

The childminder and her assistant ensure that children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. A wide and varied range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities are available to children. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning. An effective partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring the needs of the children are met and that continuity of care is promoted. The childminder has the required documentation completed, and has begun to evaluate the service she provides, although she has not yet included the views of her assistants, parents and children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the self-evaluation process to improve the outcomes for children, for example by seeking the views of assistants, parents and children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm or abuse, and a cohesive safeguarding policy is shared with parents. She and her assistant are well informed about child protection as both have attended This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding training earlier this year. The childminder has the appropriate contact details available should she be concerned about a child. All household members and childminder assistants are suitably vetted. The childminder maintains required documentation and ensures that the records relating to accidents, medication and attendance records are also appropriately maintained. The childminder practises fire drills with the children on a regular basis, thus ensuring they are familiar with the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. All areas and equipment used by the children are risk assessed, including outings to places of interest.

p.4

the early years provision

Children use a wide range of resources, which are easily accessible to promote their independence in self-selecting toys. The childminder has recently been awarded a healthy eating award. She has a food hygiene certificate. Both the childminder and her assistant hold current paediatric first aid certificates.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder continually looks for ways to improve her provision for the children and has begun to use the self-evaluation document as a way of monitoring her own progress and development. She has already identified developing the outdoor play area further as a future project. The childminder knows each child's interests and abilities. She works closely with their parents to ensure that each child's individual needs are fully met. The childminder has cared for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and has worked closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that the needs of these children are met. There is a strong relationship with parents, who have completed questionnaires about the care provided, giving extremely positive feedback to the childminder. She completes a daily sheet for each child informing parents about what they have eaten, the activities they have participated in and how they have

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder displays photographs of the children on the large wall in the main playroom. Children proudly show their parents their photographs as they tell them about the activities they have participated in. Children use a wide range of resources, which are easily accessible to promote their independence by choosing toys for themselves. They enjoy a bright and inviting learning environment, and the childminder makes appropriate use of the space and alternates toys and equipment for different activities. Each child's development file contains their learning story, which charts the progress made as they access different resources. These files also include some pages which identify the 'wow moments' that have happened while they are in the care of the childminder. Prior to care commencing, the childminder obtains useful information about each child, such as dietary requirements, allergies and sleeping preferences. This means that parents' wishes

p.5

the early years provision

and children's individual needs are met. Partnerships with the local primary schools and playgroup staff have been developed, thus promoting continuity of the children's care and learning. The childminder has regular contact with local childminders and receives support from the local authority's development team.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a welcoming setting, where they freely access a broad range of good quality books and resources. They learn as they play, and the skilful This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder and her assistant engages and supports them in their activities. For example, the children were playing with the hand puppets and one of them said they would have a puppet show. First, they tried this by getting into the travel cot and covering the sides, but then the childminder went upstairs and brought down for them the puppet theatre. They were so excited, as they watched and helped the childminder's assistant construct this. Their language and communication skills were developed as they participated in this activity. The childminder provides them with an excellent range of adult-led or child-initiated activities and their self- esteem is raised because she offers praise and encouragement as they play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their art and craft work and were busy making their Christmas cards, carefully using the glue, stickers and glitter. They readily asked the childminder for her help as they folded their Christmas tree cards to make them stand up. They enthusiastically talked about the other plans to celebrate Christmas, including participating in the playgroup's nativity play and making mince pies and a Christmas lunch with the childminder. Christmas is one of the festivals that the childminder celebrates with the children, and others this year have included Chinese New Year, Saint David's day and Saint George's day. The childminder also has resources which make children aware of other people's differences, including books and role-play resources.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children choose from a wide range of programmable toys. These are suitable for the very young children as well as the older children. They are confident and self- assured and are introduced to technology and skills for the future. For example, children can use the laptop computer, and there are toys such as pretend mobile phones, a vacuum cleaner and other role play resources. Children's communication skills are further promoted because at lunchtime they go and help to prepare their own sandwiches. They then proudly carry their plates in and sit down with their own laminated placemats to enjoy their lunch.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities and resources that help develop their physical skills. They enjoy their walks along the canal to feed the ducks and to local parks, where they can run around the wider open play spaces. Another favourite venue is the nearby safari park, where children enjoy looking at the animals and learning about how they live and are cared for by their keepers. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, because they participate in good road-safety practice as they go out and about with the childminder to school and places of interest. Each child has their own learning journey file, which is accessible to parents at anytime, and in this document, the childminder uses pictorial and written observations. The recorded observations clearly indicate the next steps in each child's learning and development, which enables her to plan forthcoming activities to help them progress. 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 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

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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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

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