Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436698 Inspection date 14/05/2012 Inspector Dorothy Williams

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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 2011. She lives with her adult daughter in the Halton area of Runcorn. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, this includes access to bathroom facilities. First floor rooms are not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor activities. The family has a dog and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, three may be in the early years age group and of whom, one may be under one year old. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are two children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. She has support from the local children's centre, local authority quality improvement officer and the childminder network group. She holds a recognised childcare qualification 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a bright, warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe and secure. Children are relaxed, happy and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder engages well with parents and other professionals to ensure the children's individual needs are appropriately met. The childminder is in the process of evaluating her provision, including planning and assessment of children's learning. She is committed to continually improving her provision for the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a system of observation, planning and assessment to support children's progress towards the early learning goals  develop a clear system of self-evaluation which recognises strengths and weaknesses of the provision and what is needed to secure further improvements.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and protected in the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She is well informed about child protection and has the appropriate contact details available. Children are kept safe while in the childminder's care because she supervises them well. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly reviews and updates her risk assessments, which cover all areas of her home. This means that children are well protected when using equipment and resources and they are able to move round the setting with ease. Children are also further protected as the childminder keeps good records, including accident, medication and attendance.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to support children in their learning and development. The environment is well organised and resources are well maintained and accessible. This means that children enjoy their experiences and make good progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

A key strength of the childminder's provision is her relationship with parents. She obtains useful information about each child, such as dietary and personal care needs, routines, favourite toys and songs. This means that parents' wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and the childminder gives good daily feedback. She shares further information about children's learning on a weekly basis. This means that parents become involved in their child's learning and children are well supported in their development. The childminder is a member of the local childminder network. She attends playgroup sessions at the local sure start children's centre. This means that children develop confidence and move easily between settings as appropriate.

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the early years provision

Children are learning to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others as the childminder provides a range of experiences to support their learning. She praises children when they do things well, such as rolling over or sitting in their high chair. Children respond with smiles and clapping. The childminder understands the need for reflective practice. She seeks support to evaluate her provision and identifies strengths and areas for development, in order to further improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being in this setting. They develop trusting relationships with the childminder and are familiar and secure with routines. The childminder plans a range of learning opportunities for children to enjoy both within and away from her home. She communicates well with the children at their level. Children enjoy action songs and rhymes. They respond with good eye contact and join in with baby babble and actions. This means that their language and communication skills are well supported. Children develop good knowledge of the wider world through trips to the local shops and amenities within the community. Birthdays and festivals are celebrated as they arise. The childminder has a range of family photographs and books to share with children.

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and outcomes for children

The garden is used well to develop children's sensory experiences and it is currently being developed to extend the play area and improve access. Children's good health is promoted well by the childminder. She follows good hygiene practices, such as wearing gloves and using anti-bacterial wipes for surfaces when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 changing nappies. She observes sleep time and ensures that the youngest children have plenty of cuddles. Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating and making good choices as the childminder provides healthy options, such as fresh fruit and raw vegetables for snack. Formula milk is made on demand and water is available at all times.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an awareness of safety issues and how to keep themselves safe. This is because the childminder talks to them appropriately about being safe and observes children closely to ensure that they are safe. For example, when rolling onto their tummies and relaxing in their chair. Children develop good physical skills because the childminder follows 'tummy time' play routines. She also uses a range of activities to develop gross and fine motor skills for the youngest children. As a result, children learn to reach, roll, push up and stretch.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder regularly observes what they can do. She knows their individual needs and provides opportunities for children to extend their learning. However, she does not yet use this information to formally plan activities or evaluate next steps. She is developing a system of planning and assessment linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is aware of the development of young children and her practice reflects this. As a result, children thoroughly enjoy their time with her and are developing skills for their future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder models courteous behaviour when speaking to the children. She encourages a response of 'please' and 'thank you' and a high level of praise and encouragement throughout the session, which is well received by the children. This shows that the childminder puts the interests and development of the children at the centre of her practice. 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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