Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405390 Inspection date 09/01/2012 Inspector Linda Shore

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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 three children aged 12, five and three years in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also works with her husband and mother, who are registered as her assistants. When working with an assistant, all four children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding five children in this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder travels to the local school to take and collect children and also attends the local playgroups weekly. She receives support from the local authority.

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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

Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has an effective understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, oservations are not used effectively to identify children's individual learning needs. Children's safety is of high importance and they are safeguarded very well. Children learn well to adopt healthy lifestyles with scope to further develop their independence. Self-evaluation is very effective and targets for improvement are well thought out and achievable. This means the setting has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Partnerships with parents and others are well-established and have a positive impact on outcomes for children. Record keeping is meticulous and all required documentation is in place and policies and procedures are implemented effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote children's independence further, with particular regards to pouring their own drinks and serving their own food  develop further the use of observations to identify learning priorities for each child

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well and protected in the setting. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the possible signs of abuse and knows This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the correct reporting procedures to follow if there are any concerns about a child. Comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the home and external trips ensure risks are effectively minimised and children play and learn in a safe and secure environment. The childminder is making good progress with ambitious and achievable improvements identified through effective methods of self-evaluation. The childminder is committed to develop their skills and knowledge through regular training on a variety of topics, for example messy play and early years gymnastics.

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the early years provision

Resources are deployed well, providing children with an environment in which they have choice and independence in the activities they select. Children particularly enjoy baking as they learn about mixtures and healthy eating. The outdoor environment provides children with a broad range of play and learning opportunities in all weather. For example, ride on toys, swings, and a variety of areas for building quiet den among trees and shrubs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established effective partnerships with other agencies, such as the children's centre, local nursery and other childminders. She has recently been instrumental in establishing a new childminder group, providing peer support and further social opportunities for children. This ensures that a coherent approach to all children's individual needs is fostered and they are all given opportunities to reach their full potential. Comprehensive information is provided for parents through daily diaries, discussions and the sharing of children's Learning Journeys. Partnerships with them are effective with many opportunities to be involved in their children's learning and development. Parents have well-placed confidence in the childminder and her assistants to address the individual needs of their children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well-organised and record keeping is meticulous. She has a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and has ensured that her assistants have been vetted and are suitable to work with children. All required policies and procedures are in place and support the safe and efficient running of the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the children's individual needs and provides a stimulating environment where they are all excited and motivated to learn. Observations of children help to find out what they can do and these are used to plan for their individual next steps in learning. However, these do not fully identify all priorities and gaps in their learning. Children freely move around in the spacious environment selecting activities which interest them. They develop their imagination well, with a wide range creative opportunities including playing in sand and water, baking and dressing up. Young children develop a sense of self and make relationships as they spontaneously cuddle their friends as well as the childminder and assistants.

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and outcomes for children

Older children learn to take responsibility for managing their own needs, accessing toilets and asking for help as required. Communication is fostered well by the childminder as she talks to children clearly and at their level. Open ended This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 questions stimulate discussion and children are allowed time to respond. Children enjoy books, babies cuddle in for stories and older children recognise letters and words, displayed at their height. They have lots of opportunities to learn about the wider world and cultural differences through artwork and celebration. Children's physical development is well-promoted. They competently swing, run, ride, kick and climb. They develop problem solving skills as they count during daily activities. For example, children count the number of cake papers while cooking and calculate if there is enough cakes for everyone present.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many good opportunities to learn about being healthy. They enjoy a well-balanced diet, which is cooked fresh on the premises each day, and healthy snacks including fruit. However, children's independence and ability to make healthy choices is not fully developed during meal times as they are not able to choose and serve their own food and drinks. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder talks to them as they wash hands after toileting and messy play. They have regular access to fresh air in a stimulating outdoor environment. Children particularly enjoy playing football and decorating a tree with skipping ropes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and involved and feel very safe due to well-nurtured relationships with adults and peers. They settle very well and develop extremely secure relationships confidently approaching the childminder and her assistant for help. Children are very familiar and comfortable in the environment, moving freely and confidently between activities and know their environment very well. They learn boundaries and good behaviour through effective behaviour management. Children are taught respect for themselves and each other through learning about the world and other cultures and as a result are developing their own sense of 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 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

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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 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

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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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