Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303356 Inspection date 28/03/2012 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and adult son in Murdishaw, Runcorn. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding with the exception of the conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 are making satisfactory progress as they take part in some interesting activities that cover most aspects of their learning and development. They enjoy familiar routines and their individual needs are known and met by the childminder. Sound relationships are in place with parents. Children's welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder ensures children are safeguarded, communicates appropriately with parents, and ensures that children are safe at all times. Systems for observation and assessment, and planning for the next steps of learning are not well developed because the childminder relies on photographic evidence and informal reflection of her practice. The self-evaluation process does not sufficiently take into account the views and opinions of parents and is not robust enough to identify strengths and areas for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 clearly link observation and assessment to the next steps in children's learning and make sure all children are included in this  develop evaluation so that strengths and areas for development are identified for future improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates sound knowledge of the welfare requirements and the written policies and procedures. She ensures all records are clearly ordered, maintained and are stored securely to promote children's health, safety and welfare. She supervises children closely during play and conducts risk assessments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the premises and outdoor area. This ensures potential dangers are identified and suitable measures are taken to minimise any risk to children. Risk assessments for outings are also undertaken. The childminder shows generally effective knowledge of safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow to ensure child welfare concerns are identified satisfactorily and responded to appropriately. Although a range of interesting activities and resources to support children's play and learning are provided, it is unclear to what extent all areas of learning are

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the early years provision

developed and promoted. Observations are not clearly linked to planning the next steps for children.

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the early years provision

The children feel confident and safe to express themselves, for example, choosing an activity they wish to follow, which the childminder supports. They benefit from positive opportunities to learn about diversity through access to a wide variety of books depicting differences. This helps to raise children's awareness. Although previous recommendations have been acted upon the childminder has not completed self-evaluation well enough to sufficiently identify all strengths and areas for development, in order to bring about improvement to the setting. For example, the full implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive partnership with parents and relationships are well established. They receive information through the sharing of the childminder's photograph album of activities and the experiences offered to the children. In addition examples of their children's work, show parents how children are engaged in the setting. Through discussion, there is a regular exchange of information with parents, providing them with sufficient information on their children's general well- being and some aspects of their progress. Partnerships with other providers are beginning to be developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning because the childminder supports children in a variety of activities. They respond well to the childminder's interaction and engagement in their play, quietly chatting and beginning to respond to questions and ideas, which provide suitable levels of challenge. They enjoy listening to stories which the childminder reads. Children make some choices in their play, choosing their own books to read independently or concentrating on a model rail track. They respond to questions from the childminder onthings they have done at home, encouraging them to feel at home in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children have close bonds with the childminder and chat happily with her eating their lunch at the table. Babies are held closely as she feeds them a bottle. Children are happy and settled, displaying a sense of belonging. Praise and encouragement helps value children's achievements and promotes their self- esteem.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy trips to places of interest, such as, nature park and occasional opportunities to engage in large physical activities at the local park. The childminder ensures children make trips to interesting local places of interest to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help reinforce and extend their awareness of the wider world. Children are beginning to show an understanding about healthy lifestyles and the importance of adopting good hygiene habits. They are provided with suitably healthy and nutritious snacks, food and drinks, such as, cheese sandwiches, yoghurt and diluted juice. 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: 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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