Childminder in Halton

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19/12/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. She uses effective teaching methods to enhance children's individual skills and abilities. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals.  Children are well protected as the childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of how to protect the children in her care. She attends appropriate training to ensure that her safeguarding knowledge is up to date.  Children's communication and language skills are supported very well because the childminder asks open questions that encourage children to speak and to express their own thoughts and ideas.  The childminder develops high quality partnerships through her positive interactions with parents and other early years professionals. This enhances children's care and learning experiences.  The childminder is kind and caring with children, which results in them feeling secure

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This provision is good

and happy. They are forming warm attachments with her.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder currently plans for a month at a time and this, therefore, does not always accurately reflect the changing interests of the children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder and children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector examined a range of documents, including policies and procedures to safeguard children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journals, observations and planning documents.  The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the Widnes area of Cheshire with her two children aged 16 years and 13 years. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except family holidays. She also provides overnight care. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance the flexibility of planning to ensure it is even more responsive to children's changing needs and interests, to assure the highest levels of engagement for children in their learning.

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who attend

The childminder has a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her practice is based on a good knowledge of how children learn. The childminder frequently observes children and uses this information to accurately assess their achievements. She provides a detailed progress check at age two years, which is shared by parents with health visitors to support their assessment process. The childminder plans a wide range of interesting activities for the children. However, this is over a long period of time. As such, it is not always as responsive to children's changing interests or needs as it could be, so that the activities provided engage children to the highest level because they are sharply focussed on their specific interests. The childminder demonstrates effective teaching strategies and as a result, children make good progress. Children's communication and language is developed

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who attend

as the childminder models correct language, repeats and extends sentences and introduces new vocabulary as she talks with the children. The childminder uses everyday activities to extend children's understanding of mathematical concepts as she counts the pompoms with them to stick onto their Christmas decorations and she talks to them about some being bigger than others.

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who attend

The childminder ensures children are ready for their next steps in learning as she tracks their learning and development to identify any gaps. She takes children to playgroups to give them opportunities to socialise with other children and have a wider range of learning opportunities. Other local amenities, such as the library, local parks and forests, are also visited regularly, so children are developing an understanding of their local area while developing physical skills.

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who attend

The childminder gathers information from parents, which she uses to assess children's achievements. This forms a very secure baseline assessment, from which their achievements can be tracked over time. The childminder and parents share information effectively using a daily diary, in which the childminder records lots of information to help reassure parents, describing what a lovely time the children have had and what they have been learning. Parents are also invited to share information using the diary and as a result, children benefit from a consistent approach.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides a welcoming environment in which children are valued and respected and as a result, children's well-being is promoted and they are learning to respect each other. She liaises closely with parents to ensure she follows children's routines and meets their individual needs. For example, she is able to alter a child's sleep routine because she knows how much sleep the child has had at home. Parents take as long as they require to settle their children as the childminder is flexible and supports them well, sign posting them to various sources of information as appropriate for their needs. Therefore, children's transitions from their own home to the childminder's home are well supported.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder's approach is warm and caring and she tunes into each child's needs. She watches younger children carefully and responds to their non-verbal cues, which indicate that they are tired or need a drink. She talks with older children about what they have done at pre-school that morning and gives reassurance about their parents coming for them. Children have a good relationship with her, including those who have only recently started to attend and have developed a bond. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour and gently reminds children of the rules to keep them safe. Therefore, children are learning how to behave towards others. The childminder uses a range of children's books to talk to children about new experiences, such as starting school or nursery. Therefore, children are emotionally prepared during times of change.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder encourages the children to eat healthy foods and ensures they have daily opportunities to play outdoors. She regularly visits local parks and forests to give the children different experiences and to manage risk. As a result, children are developing healthy lifestyles. Children are learning to manage their own self-care needs independently, while the childminder remains on hand should support be required.

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provision

The childminder has a detailed understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements them well. She regularly attends safeguarding training and ensures her policies and procedures are kept updated. She knows where to seek advice or make a referral if she has any concerns about a child. The childminder has a positive attitude towards keeping children safe and has relevant procedures in place to support this. For example, she requests that visitors sign in and out. She carries out daily sweeps of the areas where children have access and has completed risk assessments for the various places they visit, including the local park.

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provision

The childminder has comprehensive systems in place to help her track children's learning and development. This ensures that children are progressing well in all areas of learning and development. She reflects on her practice and asks parents to complete questionnaires to gather different views. Where appropriate, the childminder will make changes to improve her practice and the outcomes for children. For example, she is currently reviewing her system for planning. She has also recently introduced a policy of requesting to see birth certificates for children, to verify their date of birth, name and who has parental responsibility.

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provision

The childminder works closely with other agencies. She has a good relationship with the local school, sharing relevant information with staff and is on their mailing list, which ensures she is kept informed about events and activities. When appropriate, the childminder attends meetings with other agencies to ensure children are receiving suitable interventions to support their learning and development.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY438962 Local authority Halton Inspection number 801894 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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