Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440493 Inspection date 20/06/2012 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and five children aged 12, 11, nine, seven and three years, in Pensby, which is an area on the Wirral. Children use all of the ground floor and the family bathroom, which is upstairs. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder has a dog and some fish as the family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within this age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder receives support from the local authority. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and networks with other local childminders.

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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 cares for children in a safe and welcoming environment. Children access a varied range of purposeful and age appropriate resources, which mainly covers all areas of learning. The childminder's sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework enables her to support individual children's welfare and development. Children make satisfactory or better progress in all areas of their learning. An effective partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring the needs of the children are met and continuity of care is promoted. The childminder is in the early stages of reflecting on her practice, but is able to identify not only some of her strengths but also areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the planning of the timetable to include activities and experiences to help children to learn about the wider world, diversity and particularly relating to disabilities  develop further the self-evaluation of your setting to improve the outcomes for children and invite parents and when possible children to be involved in this process.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through child protection procedures that are clear and fully understood by the childminder. The childminder's comprehensive written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 policies are in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. The childminder continually monitors the safety of the home and outings and appropriate risk assessment documentation is maintained. Fire drills have been practised and a record of when these have taken place is maintained.

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the early years provision

Space is organised in such a way that promotes children's independence, as they freely select the toys and resources of their choice. The childminder provides an inclusive environment, where children can access resources and activities with no gender bias. Some resources available make children aware of other people's differences, but few reflect disability and planned activities, to expand children's knowledge of the abilities of others, have not yet been included in the programme for the children. The childminder is not currently caring for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a secure understanding of the value of working with other professionals, when the need arises, to ensure she is meeting children's particular needs. The childminder has developed a good working partnership with parents. A copy of all her policies is included in their 'Welcome Pack'. Parents are well informed about their child's

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the early years provision

progress through talks at the beginning and end of each day and the completing of a daily diary. Prior to care commencing, the childminder gains as much information as possible from the parents regarding their child's individual needs and agrees with them how those needs will be met.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the need to develop links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is not required for the children currently minded. The childminder has begun to evaluate the care she offers and is able to identify, not only her strengths, but also areas for further development. However, self-evaluation has not been undertaken formally and the views of parents and children have not yet been sought or included in this process. The childminder is keen to update her knowledge of current childcare legislation and practices by attending further training whenever possible

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has created a learning journey for each child. This document contains written and pictorial observations and the childminder links these to the different areas of learning. She also identifies the next steps in children's learning. The childminder organises suitable activities for children to enjoy during their day and provides them with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play experiences. Established routines are in place to help children feel secure and planned activities are flexible and changed to meet the individual wishes and interests of the children present.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's linguistic skills by providing opportunities for them to explore language through songs and stories and there is a varied selection of age appropriate books and resources available. They enjoy accessing the range of books and eagerly lift up the flaps of certain books to see the hidden pictures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have opportunities to develop their creative skills as they access a wide and varied range of art and craft resources. Jig-saw puzzles suitable for children in the different age groups help to promote their problem solving skills, as do the building blocks and the constructing of the train track. Role play resources are available and children really enjoy making a 'cup of tea' and providing each other or the childminder with a 'snack' using the wide selection of play foods. Art and

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and outcomes for children

craft resources are plentiful and children develop creative skills using materials, such as play dough. They are skilled at using cutters and shapes and receive praise from the childminder who recognises their achievements. For the babies and younger children there is plenty of space for them to crawl and move freely around. Toys and resources for them include hand held and programmable toys, when buttons are pressed, either lights shine or different sounds are made. This helps them to develop a knowledge and understanding of the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit daily from the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and become aware of their local community as they go to the local park and places of interest. They also visit places further afield, which provide children with varied learning experiences. For example, a trip to a community farm makes children aware of how the different farm animals are cared for. The outdoor play area is paved, grassed and fully enclosed. The childminder has begun to develop children's understanding of where food comes from as they have planted strawberries and peas. The children and childminder are hoping to enjoy their home grown produce as part of their lunch and snack menus. There are lots of posters around the home which make children aware of the benefits of eating 'five a day' portions of fruit and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as the childminder has effective systems in place to obtain all required consents, record accidents and administer medication. She is qualified to administer first aid, which means she can respond appropriately in the event of an accident. Good hygiene routines are in place and the childminder offers a choice of healthy snacks to meet children's dietary needs and to respect parental preferences. Drinking water is freely available to the children throughout the day and for the babies, drinks are offered regularly. The childminder is a good role model for the children's behaviour and she offers them lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts. 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 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 2 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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