Childminder in Sefton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431018 Inspection date 02/05/2012 Inspector Sandra Harwood

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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 in Southport with her husband and adult child who are registered to work as assistants. Two rooms on the first floor and the bathroom on the second floor of the maisonette are used for childminding. The rear garden is not available, however the local park is used for outdoor play. The family has no pets. The childminder walks to local schools, and her hours of work are week days from 7am until 6pm, before and after school, all day and all year.

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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. When working with an assistant, all six children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and currently there is one child in this age range on roll. She supports children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, and one child in this later years age group attends. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3 and a degree in children's services.

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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

Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder knows the children well and works closely with parents and carers. She has established good links with providers to ensure continuity of care and development. This ensures that individual needs are consistently met. Children's learning is well supported by the range of resources and varied activities available to the children. The childminder values the importance of continuous development and regularly evaluates the quality of provision, including the consideration of the views of parents and children.

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further?

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

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further?

 support further the development of independent learning by presenting the children with more choices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well 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 should a concern arise about any child. All household members have Criminal Records Bureau clearance. The childminder regularly reviews and updates her risk assessments which cover all areas of her home and include the use of her car and the daily walk to school. This means that children are well protected when using equipment and resources such as travelling in the car. Children are also further protected because the childminder keeps good records including daily attendance and fire evacuation records.

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the early years provision

The positive and well-established relationships between the childminder and parents support the children's needs successfully. Parents are made to feel welcome and are well informed about their children's learning and well-being. Feedback through letters indicate that parents are extremely happy with the service the childminder provides. Partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage are strong. The childminder shares information with the relevant providers about the children's learning, to ensure a shared approach to children's learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually evaluates her practice and seeks feedback from parents to help her assess areas for further development. She involves the children in evaluating both the practice and activities on offer and uses this to adapt her practice. The childminder attends courses and keeps up to date with changes in practice and legislation through a variety of means, such as the internet. This enables her to continuously improve the quality of her provision.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the well-planned space to play and learn. They have easy access to a varied range of good quality resources, suitable to their age and stage of development. The childminder adapts and introduces new activities to enable all children to be involved and follow their interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled. They demonstrate a good sense of well-being through their confident exploration and familiarity with routines. They play happily as they continue to build on to the previous construction around the train track. This enables the children to return to their activity and consolidate their learning. Children express their thoughts, needs and feelings very well. They talk continually throughout their play, ask questions when curious and frequently engage with the childminder to request her help with activities, for example when setting up the indoor golf game. This is enhanced further by the childminder who asks lots of questions to encourage children to think, and share their understanding. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder knows the children well and this allows her to track their progress and identify the next steps that they need to take. She uses observations and

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and outcomes for children

assessment to ensure that planning, learning and development experiences are tailored to meet children's individual needs. Children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are developing well. They work with the childminder to make a smaller version of a puppet seen in the book they have been looking at. Continuous access to mark making and craft materials develops creative skills. Communication, language and literacy are encouraged as the children chat in a relaxed manner at meal times about the books they read. They talk about climbing trees. The childminder creates an understanding of time and change as she tells them how she climbed trees when she was young.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond positively to praise and encouragement from the childminder, which increases their self-esteem and confidence. They are learning to take turns and share. Children are polite and well behaved most of the time. The childminder encourages the use of good manners through actively demonstrating, for example: 'Please may I have a look? This helps the children develop respect for others. The childminder has good strategies in place to manage children's behaviour, such as, using the children's interests and adapting these to encourage their listening and address their behaviour. They are beginning to develop skills to work independently in all areas of learning, although there are more limited opportunities for choice to promote this aspect of children's learning. The childminder is a positive role model as she demonstrates active learning. She tells the children when she cannot carry out a request, but also that she will find out

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an awareness of differences as they see positive images of various skin colours and disabilities in books and have age appropriate discussions with the childminder, who answers questions when they arise. The children also access the internet to gather further information on differences. This is well supervised to ensure limits set are followed and helps to develop skills for the future. The children interact with children from different cultural backgrounds at other provisions. Through the childminder's constructive support, children are developing a positive self-image.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure within the childminder's care which they demonstrate through the warm and trusting relationships established. The childminder supports the children's learning about keeping safe through road safety knowledge on the daily walk to school. Children's health is promoted well through the provision of a clean environment, good personal routines and healthy meals. The childminder supports children's understanding of being healthy. She offers healthy options such as fruit and cereal, and has age appropriate discussions, with them. For example, they discuss the importance of eating breakfast in order for the body to work well through the day. 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 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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