Childminder in Sefton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY364228 Inspection date 30/07/2012 Inspector Margaret Mellor

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, eight and 12 years in Bootle, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Access to the premises is via a step to the front door. There is a secure, fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has four rabbits and three 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 no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of Morton Michel Easy Mind.

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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 very happy and a meaningful partnership with parents ensures that their needs are routinely met through recognising the uniqueness of each child. Well-developed knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage aids the childminder to plan enjoyable and challenging activities. All children make good progress in their learning, and the highly enabling environment positively promotes diversity, good behaviour and independence. Good emphasis is given to the promotion of children's welfare, and partnerships in the wider context are mostly good. Effective action has been taken to address previous recommendations, and self-evaluation that aids the planning for future improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen partnership working with parents, such as involving them more in their child's continuous learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children move freely and with confidence in the childminder's home. All equipment and documentation required for the safe management of the provision is in place. The childminder has accessed safeguarding training and is secure in her knowledge of the procedures that protect children from harm or neglect. Regular risk assessments of the home and for outings ensure that risks are managed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and there are effective systems for recording accidents and medication. Children are also protected from cross infection because the childminder has accessed food safety training and follows good hygiene practices and procedures for looking after the family pets. Children's welfare is further enhanced through nutritious meals, along with good opportunities for fresh air and exercise.

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the early years provision

A welcome pack and displays provide parents with good quality information about the policies, procedures and childcare in general. Settling-in sessions are offered and discussion aids the sharing of information when children first attend. Therefore, children's individual needs are respected and they make good progress in their learning in relation to their starting points. Feedback at going home time and access to their child's development file keeps parents well informed about their welfare, achievements and progress. Comments, such as 'perfect', evidence that parents are very happy with the quality of the provision. The childminder is also aware of her responsibility to liaise with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for them and external agencies to ensure an inclusive environment. However, systems to consistently engage parents in children's ongoing learning to support continuity and progression are not yet fully embraced

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the early years provision

Children thrive because the childminder is very motivated and regularly attends training events for her professional development. She uses a formal self-evaluation document to improve the overall quality of provision. Improvements to the range of resources and activities that promote equality and diversity have greatly enhanced the outcomes for children. Plans for future development are well targeted and planned for. These include implementing revisions to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Questionnaires welcome parents' views and the childminder engages with children to seek their thoughts on activities. The quality review process is further supported through sharing good practice with other local childminders. Excellent organisation ensures that children enjoy a suitable learning environment. The childminder is also committed to the provision of good quality, sustainable resources and children gain a suitable awareness of healthy lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress across all areas of learning. The childminder supports them appropriately and the good quality resources meet all their needs. Therefore, children participate in purposeful play and exploration. A wide variety of child- initiated activities means that children are thoroughly engaged in their play. Activities planned by the childminder, such as growing sunflower seeds or collecting pine cones in the park, are enjoyed by all. The childminder is also very skilled at supporting children's fascination in nature and experiences at home. Adding animals to small world play helps young children to make connections with a family visit to the zoo and stimulates their early communication skills. As a result, they confidently name the animals and roar like a lion. Children have a development file and sensitive observations completed by the childminder are used This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

effectively to assess and plan for their next steps in learning. Therefore, children make good progression towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their play and become independent while developing a positive attitude towards learning because resources are easily accessible. Young children freely explore shape, size and pattern when threading wooden beads and a photographic time line helps them to develop a sense of order. During play the childminder's consistent repetition of colour and number and good open ended questions is supporting children's next steps in mathematical development. Therefore, they can find the yellow plate and imitate number when counting. Children relish exploring a range of experiences, such as sound through banging drums, and show obvious pleasure when looking at books. This challenges their senses, creativity and imagination. Young children become aware of technology as they press buttons to operate toys and this also promotes skills for the future

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder who is very caring and attentive. Consistent words of praise and exploring feelings as they put name cards on happy or sad pictures promote children's emotional well-being. This also helps them to have a good feeling of safety. A stimulating display of Olympic torches values children's contribution to the inviting environment and further boosts self- esteem. The childminder is also very skilful at making sure children feel special through her high level awareness of their unique characteristics. As a result, they are very happy and comfortable in their surroundings. Young children become aware of their local area on enjoyable walks, and feeding dolls in fantasy play helps them to make sense of the world. Children are also helped to understand about others cultures. A welcome poster is displayed in different languages and they make dragons for Chinese New Year. Joining in play with children from other

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and outcomes for children

ethnic backgrounds at toddler group further helps them to embrace differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop behaviour appropriate to good learners because they respond to the expectations of the childminder. As a result, young children are helped to share and older children show care as they pass them toys. Children are also effectively supported in developing their awareness of safety issues. The childminder teaches them what to do in the event of a fire and they listen to stories about the fire engine. Children thrive because the childminder's home is meticulously clean. They become aware of good personal hygiene through established hand washing and teeth brushing routines. Homemade tuna pasta bake for lunch and buying fruit for snack helps children to make healthy choices about what they eat. Indoors, there is plenty of space for children to rest or be exuberant in their play, such as moving to music. In the garden children respond with gusto as they bounce on the trampoline like a rabbit or climb on the slide.

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and outcomes for children

These activities promote children's physical skills and also aid them in learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle. 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 1 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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