Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344902 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 2006. She lives in the Great Sankey area of Warrington with her husband and four children aged nine, six, two and one years. The home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. This includes the lounge and the kitchen/dining area. The bathroom is on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three chldren under eight years and one child is on roll in the early years foundaton stage. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register, and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is supported by Warrington Sure Start and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare and learning in an inspiring and challenging way that provides a safe and inclusive environment. Exemplary systems are in place in relation to planning, assessment and safety. The children are happily engaged in a highly stimulating range of play activities and experiences. They make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a highly successful partnership with parents; they are consulted and involved and kept well informed of their children's daily routines, care and learning. Also, very positive links with others promote excellent quality and continuity of education and care. The childminder demonstrates an extensive capacity for continuous improvement and self-evaluation is used well to monitor her practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extending to use of self-evaluation to reflect on the progress children make throughout their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a highly effective understanding of safeguarding children and keeps up-to-date with training. She has an excellent knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child's welfare. A record of visitors to the setting is maintained and all other aspects of documentation relating to the welfare of the children are in place, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of a very high standard and stored in a way that respects confidentiality. Children know where to find resources to extend their play ideas and follow their own interests. Defined play areas, such as writing, investigation, construction and role play enable children to consolidate their learning exceptionally well. Workshops and a wealth of training are used extremely well, both in practice and when planning activities, and this promotes excellent outcomes for children. The

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the early years provision

childminder works superbly well to promote an excellent and inclusive service to children, parents and carers, and she is part of the Local Authority initiative to improve choices for disabled children. She is very committed and she continually strives to improve the excellent service she offers.

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the early years provision

Exceptional documentation, policies and procedures are in place and copies are available to parents and discussed to ensure they are kept fully informed of her childcare service. She maintains children's individual daily diaries, a very informative notice board and detailed questionnaires. Parents have a wealth of opportunities to comment on their children's assessment and they have exceptional involvement in their children's learning and development. They meet constantly with the childminder to share good practice and enhance continuty of children's care and education and the childminder respects confidentiality at all times. The childminder has systems in place to work with other agencies to ensure they are able to complement the Early Years Foundation Stage provided by them. For example, she works extremely well with Sure Start development workers and immediately implements all the advice they give to her. She works exceptionally

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the early years provision

well with the local school sharing the children's reports with them to enhance a smooth transition.

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the early years provision

The childminder adheres to a comprehensive operational plan, so that she meets the individual needs of all children exceptionally well. Effective self-assessment procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the provision, which takes into consideration the views of parents, children and outside agencies. However, there is room to develop this further by reflecting on the impact of children's progress. Future plans for the service are extremely well targeted to further promote positive outcomes for children. For example, she hopes to extend her playroom to enhance play opportunities further, and her commitment to researching new publications through a wealth of subscriptions, indicates a dedication to continue her exceptional high standards.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Framework, which enables her to meet the requirements extremely well and to promote outstanding outcomes for children. The childminder uses the detailed information she receives from parents to meticulously observe and plan for children's individual progress and identify suitable next steps in their learning. Rigorous planning provides a superb range of interesting and stimulating activities to help the children make progress across all areas of learning and development. Detailed assessments and individual learning journals indicate that children are making extremely good progress across all areas of learning. The room is highly stimulating and children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 can independently walk into the garden freely at all times. She has developed an excellent range of accessible resources to help children to explore and investigate

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and outcomes for children

and fully promote diversity. Baking activities allow the children to sample foods from different origins and they talk about different countries, such as Spain. They enjoy celebrating dressing up for Chinese New Year and are engrossed in a wealth of other celebrations. Furthermore, discriminatory remarks are challenged. For example, when children state that women cannot be bus drivers, the childminder sits to explain and extend this conversation by purchasing a book to indicate different genders at work.

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and outcomes for children

There is an exceptional emphasis placed on settling and independence. For example, children are encouraged to access their own drinks, help out at snack times and learn to dress themselves. The childminder takes time to seek out appropriate toddler groups to take the children to that will benefit their social skills and meet their individual needs. A wealth of photographic documentation shows the children have a great amount of opportunities to express their own thoughts and ideas using a variety of creative materials. They are engrossed in dressing up, dance to music and participate in imaginary play. Lots of photographic evidence demonstrates children pouring and sinking objects in water and sand, both indoors and outdoors, and feeling different textures such as shaving foam or glitter and painting pictures of the royal wedding. They have a wealth of first hand experiences as they take nature walks to the woods, go to the park or visit the

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and outcomes for children

supermarket to choose foods and learn to use money.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to see examples of everyday print and to learn that print has meaning. All toys are labelled and enable children to freely choose what they want to play with. They use language very well and are encouraged to make marks, recognise letters and use sounds. Children learn to count very well, and they calculate and problem solve throughout their daily routine. A wealth of games and puzzles helps them to recognise colours. Children's physical skills and coordination are developed extremely well as the childminder encourages and promotes outdoor play and exercise while dancing to music. The garden is extremely well organised and supports many areas of children's learning. They play outside in all weathers in appropriate clothing, pushing doll prams and sitting on lots of wheeled toys. Excellent behaviour is displayed and the frequent use of praise helps children feel good about themselves. In addition to this,

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and outcomes for children

members of the public comment on the good manners that the children display while out on trips. The childminder is an excellent role model to the children and speaks quietly to them. She ensures consistency when managing the behaviour of the children in her care and her own children. This results in them all playing extremely well together, sharing toys and becoming part of the homely environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is extremely clean, warm and well maintained. Stringent nappy changing procedures are in place and children are fully aware of how to wash their hands after activities. They are highly engrossed in health activities about how to brush their teeth and are frequently reminded about the importance of fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, they grow their own produce, such as tomatoes, parsnips and beetroot in the childminder's garden. Children are very well nourished and a very well-balanced, nutritious diet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is in place containing fresh ingredients and home made dishes to aid their growth and development. Drinks are available at all times of the day.

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and outcomes for children

The premises are extremely safe and secure and both indoors and outside are subject to rigorous risk assessments to ensure that risks to children are minimised. Trips are exceptionally well thought-out to enable children to have fun in a safe environment. Children are involved in regular fire drills and this praticse is further extended when children act out being Fireman Sam during role play. Furthermore, they participate in a large variety of topics, such as 'stranger danger'. The childminder reinforces road safety rules when out in the community. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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