Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY303575 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Catherine Sharkey

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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 2005 and lives with her husband and grown up son in the Knowsley area of Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor of the house and an upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. She operates from 7am until 6pm for 51 weeks a year. Children have access to a safely enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children under eight may be cared for at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding five children between the ages of one and four. The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of the early learning goals through the activities she plans for children. They are safeguarded very well in her care as she supervises them closely and puts her effective policies and procedures into practice. Children's individual needs are met through the good partnerships with parents and carers and the sharing of children's records and other detailed information. The childminder also has good links with other providers and professionals which ensures she is able to share ideas and practice and keep up to date with current developments in early years care. There are few resources or activities which reflect other cultures or beliefs. The childminder evaluates her practice and demonstrates good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide a wider range of activities and resources for children to learn about other cultures and beliefs.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and protected well whilst in the care of the childminder. She has recently completed training in safeguarding and risk assessments which means she has a good understanding of how to implement her effective policies and procedures. Children are closely supervised and reminded how to keep themselves safe, for instance, not to stand on the furniture in case they fall off. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Regular fire drills take place and parental consents are given in case of the need for emergency medical treatment. Regular, detailed risk assessments ensure children are safe both on and off the premises.

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the early years provision

A wide range of interesting resources promotes all areas of learning well. Children enjoy using wheeled toys, sand, water or balls in the garden. There is a good range of small world toys, dressing up clothes, books, construction, games and puzzles. However, there are few resources which reflect other cultures. The large living area and garden are organised well and children are able to choose the toys from storage boxes on the floor.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well-motivated and attends courses regularly. She makes good use of the advice available from the local early years advisor and from the National Childminding Association and shares ideas and experiences with other local providers. The childminder self-evaluates well and has fully addressed the previous recommendations. For example, the fire blanket is now easily accessible and she has increased her knowledge of child protection issues. This ensures that children are well-protected at all times and demonstrates the childminders good capacity to improve.

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the early years provision

There are very good partnerships with parents and carers as the childminder knows the families well. Detailed information is shared on children's starting points, dietary requirements and daily routines. This means that the individual needs of all children and parents are met. They are given a wide range of information on all aspects of the provision including the policies and procedures. Parents are able to contribute to their child's record folders and there is a two-way flow regarding children's interests and activities between home and the childminder's house. This means that they are involved in their child's learning. The childminder has good links with other professionals through the National Childminding Association and the local council.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes children and uses the information to plan their next steps so that they are able to build on their learning. The activities provided and the well-balanced planning shows that the childminder has a sound knowledge of the early learning goals. Children enjoy playing with sand, water and wheeled toys outside, developing their physical skills and exploring textures. They show good imagination in their play and discussion while dressing teddy bears and they enjoy singing, dancing and playing tambourines to a marching song. Children learn sounds, letters, counting and numbers through their use of games, puzzles, songs, mark making and various foods in the shapes of letters. They find out about weight and measure with their 'shopping' in role play activities and explore finger painting and interesting items in treasure baskets. The childminder develops children's language and vocabulary well in all their activities, such as comparing

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and outcomes for children

smells like gravy powder and other foods. Children learn about nature and the world around them through their visits to the local farm, the farm shop, the library, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a local playgroup and the park. They are developing their skills for the future well through their use of computers, old mobile telephones and many push button toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe with the childminder as they move around confidently, choosing toys and initiating activities. Babies are happy to have a quiet sleep or a cuddle and all children join in excitedly with singing and dancing. They are safe because the childminder explains why they must stick to certain rules, such as not running indoors or sitting still while eating.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is promoted effectively as they have access to water at any time and are given healthy snacks and meals. For example, children enjoy raw carrot, melon or rice cakes. They wash their hands at appropriate times using anti-bacterial soap and their own towels which are changed daily. The childminder has effective policies and procedures in place regarding illness and accidents. She has a current paediatric first aid certificate. Children play outdoors each day and develop their physical skills well with the help of the large play equipment at the park.

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and outcomes for children

There are very good relationships between the childminder and the children in a homely and welcoming atmosphere. Behaviour is very good and children respond well to reminders and explanations of good manners and being aware of the needs of others. For example, how to share the teddies and their dressing up clothes. Children show excitement and pleasure when joining in with a favourite story by making different facial expressions and copying the actions. The story is a positive representation of a girl in a wheelchair, showing the children that she is just like them. The children help to push the baby carefully on a sit and ride toy and willingly tidy up before going outside to play. They are learning to be independent by putting on their own coats or shoes and choosing their own activities. Children have good manners and take turns when playing dominoes. They take part in activities to learn about Christmas, Easter or Chinese New Year, but there are

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and outcomes for children

currently insufficient activities or resources for children to learn about other cultures and beliefs. 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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