Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY306510 Inspection date 22/06/2012 Inspector Mary Wignall

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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. She lives with her partner and three children, aged two, four and eight years. They live in Port Sunlight, Wirral. Most of the childminder's house, apart from the main bedroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for four children under eight years, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age group and of whom, no more than one may be under one year. The childminder currently has one child on roll in the early years. At the time of the inspection, there were no children present.

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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

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development and welfare requirements. Procedures to find out children's individual needs are based in sound partnership with parents. Partnerships appropriately promote children's welfare and ensure consistent experiences for children. The childminder is enthusiastic about children's learning and adequately plans a wide range of activities for children to experience. Planning systems ensure that children have time outdoor daily and overall, result in children making steady progress in their learning. Self-evaluation procedures demonstrate the childminder's sound commitment and capacity to reflect on her provision and she is beginning to set targets to further improve her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop using quality improvement processes to assess what is offered against robust and challenging criteria  summarise children's achievements at particular points to help track their progress to the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding how to safeguard children. She has attended relevant training and has kept the course materials to ensure local procedures are followed. The childminder shares a written policy with parents to help build partnerships in protecting children. She conducts risk assessments to help keep children safe on and off the premises. She has appropriately identified This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the need to supervise children when using the rear garden due to low-level fencing.

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the early years provision

The childminder has self-evaluated her provision and set some targets to bring about further improvements. For instance, she has ensured that she has attended relevant first aid training and plans to attend further training courses on the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she does not use any improvement tools to assess her practice against rigorous criteria and monitor how effective targets are in securing improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates an inclusive environment. Low-level storage ensures that children have easy access to a sufficient range of toys. Planned activities to acknowledge different cultural festivals develop children's understanding of diversity. Partnerships with parents are sound. Information about children's individual needs is obtained at the beginning of each placement and used to ensure that each child's individual routines are respected. The childminder has developed some useful communication systems with the local nurseries, which children also attend. She has copies of their key policies and regularly exchanges information about children's activities to ensure consistency for children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a homely environment for children to learn and play in. She makes full use of local play facilities to offer children opportunities to meet and play with other children. This develops children's social skills and their knowledge of their local community. She works closely with other staff at the play facilities to ensure that the activities are relevant and of interest to the children she cares for. Children's achievements are documented in individual learning files. The files show the wide range of activities that the children experience and demonstrate the childminder's sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development and welfare requirements. The childminder's observations on children's development are linked to the different areas of learning. They generally identify children's next steps of learning. However, they do not contain summaries of children's achievements to help track and monitor their progress to the early

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that children know and understand healthy living styles by talking about different foods and encouraging physical exercise. The childminder plans and carries out trips to local parks and walks around the village. The childminder is alert to children's interests and stimulates this and their understanding of the world. For instance, they take time to look at a working sun- dial and talk about shadows and the passage of time. Children practise their self- care skills as they enjoy dressing-up in a range of outfits, from fantasy characters to postmen and women. The childminder uses opportunities in local play facilities to encourage children to take responsibility for their safety. She observes how children behave and cooperate with other children in play. The childminder encourages children to share responsibilities, such as tidying away toys at the end This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

of play sessions. Children learn about diversity in planned activities. For instance, children make cards, decorate cakes and enjoy food from different cultures in acknowledging festivals, such as, Saints days, Chinese New Year and the Royal wedding.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that children develop sound skills for the future as she plans appropriately for their learning progress in communication and numeracy. Children join in activities at the local library promoting their enjoyment and use of books. The childminder follows children's interest in dinosaurs by borrowing both fact and fiction books to read together and learn more about them. Children have opportunities to practise their writing skills in art activities, such as making cards or drawing pictures. The childminder talks to children introducing new words to develop their vocabulary and promote their communication skills. The childminder observes children's counting skills and builds on their learning by encouraging them to recognise numerals. She plans fun physical activities to promote their physical and problem solving skills in a fun way, such as completing obstacle courses. 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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