Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 502870 Inspection date 29/02/2012 Inspector Emily Wheeldon

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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 2001. She lives with her partner and two sons aged ten and 15 years in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and a tortoise.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local primary school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the local childminding group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are not firmly embedded to promote children's welfare needs. Some potential hazards to children's safety are also not removed from children's reach and so account for two breaches of regulation. The childminder provides a sufficient range of activities so children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Self-evaluation does not identify significant issues and consequently not enough action is taken to secure improvement. Partnerships with other professionals regarding the safeguarding of children are ineffective and do not meet the needs of individual children. Partnerships with parents are appropriate and children generally enjoy their time with the childminder.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure the safeguarding children policy and procedure is effective and implemented (Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 14/03/2012

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children in the kitchen are kept to a minimum (Premises, environment and equipment). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 14/03/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 work in partnership with other professionals to support the children's development and progress towards the outcomes of Every Child Matters.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are inadequate. Although the childminder has written procedures and a policy for safeguarding children, she does not consistently implement the procedures for the safeguarding of children. There is no multi-agency approach because the childminder does not sufficiently engage with professional agencies to meet the needs of individual children. Most of the required documentation is in place, such as risk assessments of potential hazards that have been identified. However, some hazards that are unsafe to children are not removed from their reach. This means children are not effectively safeguarded. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes to the provision or the suitability of adults.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development, and has addressed previous recommendations promptly. For example, she has removed the dog's kennel and purchased drain covers so risks to children's health are minimised. However, the system for monitoring and evaluating the provision is not fully effective to ensure continuous improvement. Equality and diversity are promoted within the setting. For example, the childminder provides food from different cultures and children play with resources that display positive images of differences in society.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets with other childminders at the local children's centre and is able to share ideas for her practice. She has links with local schools and shares information about the children. However, partnerships with outside agencies are ineffective because the childminder does not actively make contact with them with regard to safeguarding children. There are sound relationships with parents. She gathers information from them so that she has an awareness of children's individual interests and needs and can provide a consistency of care. Parents receive verbal feedback each day so that they know about their child's achievements. The childminder generally promotes inclusion as she makes sure the activities on offer suitably meet children's individual needs, and resources are organised so that children can select the toys they wish to play with.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the activities on offer in the setting. The childminder ensures a range of suitable resources are accessible to the children and meet their individual needs so they can become independent learners. Observations are carried out on a monthly basis and the childminder analyses these in order to plan the next steps in children's learning. Children's progress is sound and is marked against an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment sheet so that their milestones can be suitably monitored and tracked. The living room and outside area are used for activities, and resources are frequently rotated so children are offered a variety of toys on different days.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel comfortable with the childminder because they chat freely about their home and what they did at nursery. Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills are incorporated in play. For example, children rehearse their counting skills as they line up Easter chicks on a table. Children develop adequate skills in information and communication technology by playing on games on the computer. Sound use is made of trips so children can experience the wider world. For example, they visit squirrels at the park and look at various plants. Opportunities for children to develop their understanding of different cultures and beliefs are implemented well. For instance, the childminder and children were invited to attend a party at a friend's house to celebrate Eid and were able to sample different foods.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to show an understanding of healthy lifestyles. They follow appropriate personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meal times. Healthy food options are offered at snack and meal times, and hot meals are prepared by the childminder. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise on a regular basis when they play in the back garden or walk to the local park to develop their physical skills. Children's behaviour is good and reflects the role model provided by the childminder. They learn to stay safe as she gives them gentle reminders, such as not to climb on furniture. Regular fire drills are practised with the children so they learn how to evacuate the premises in an emergency. 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 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 14/03/2012

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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 early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 14/03/2012

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