Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/11/2014 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 quality of teaching is very good as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to promote the learning and development of children and what they can achieve. The observations, planning and assessment provides interesting and stimulating activities that engages children and enables them to make good progress.  Children are happy and inspired to learn. The childminder values input from parents into their children's learning and development. They have a secure attachment with the childminder that enables them to develop a strong base for their developing independence and confidence to explore and learn.  Children access bright, attractive playrooms that are thoughtfully set out and well resourced. This promotes children's independence as they access a broad range of toys and books.  The childminder ensures that children are safeguarded at all times. She ensures that policies and procedures are up to date and she shares these with parents.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The outdoor area is not fully developed to reflect the good learning environment indoors.  The childminder does not make full use of the wide range of different professional readings, courses and seminars within the Early Years Foundation Stage, to strengthen her skills and knowledge.

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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 activities in the two main rooms used for childminding and outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at suitable points throughout the inspection, made observations and spoke to children present.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journeys, planning documentation and a range of other records, policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of adults suitability to work with children, the provider's self-evaluation form and self-identified development plan.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2013 on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and three children in a house in Huyton, Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. There is currently one child on roll within the early years age group. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder holds a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education.

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

 enhance further the outdoor provision to fully reflect the good learning environment that is available indoors

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

 strengthen professional development to widen the range of methods and resources used to enhance skills and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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who attend

The childminder provides a broad range of activities and experiences, which promote children's development well in all areas. She observes and assesses children's progress as they play and purposefully extends their learning. For example, young children develop their smaller muscle skills as they complete a baking activity. The childminder extends this further by providing children with different skills to practise, such as grate, mix, chop and sprinkle. While she plays alongside children, she effectively encourages their communication and language skills and promotes their physical and personal, social and emotional development. Children's good progress in these three areas ensures that they have the key skills needed for the next steps in their learning, such as nursery or school. The childminder is fully aware of children's abilities and learning at home and ensures that these achievements are included in her planning and assessments. Parents are kept well

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who attend

informed about their children's progress. They receive plenty of information about their children's care and daily activities verbally and through the vibrant scrap books recording their development. Parents can also read each observation written in their child's scrap books and are encouraged to make comments about their progress. Most children are working comfortably within the typical range of development expected for their age.

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who attend

Children help themselves to toys from a broad range kept in dedicated playrooms. They move freely around the ground floor and enjoy the freedom and space imaginatively. For example, they care for and play with dolls in the playroom and take them into the back, quiet room to read stories and settle them to sleep. Children are progressing well towards the early learning goals while enjoying fun activities. They are interested and keen learners. Children show good levels of concentration and perseverance on self-chosen tasks, such as drawing a range of different size spiders on the paths outside with chalks. The childminder effectively engages and supports children within their play to further extend their learning. For example, they count how many legs the spiders have, compare their size and begin to hold chalks correctly, ready for early writing. The childminder continually engages children in conversation about what they are doing and what might

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who attend

happen next while introducing new vocabulary. For example, the childminder encourages young children to repeat single words, such as nutmeg, as the bake and follow basic instructions, for example, 'can you stir it slowly in big circles?' These discussions broaden children's vocabulary and understanding. Consequently, children make good progress in all areas of communication and language.

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who attend

On the whole, children flourish as they explore the outdoor area, enjoying activities, such as making marks with water, rollers and paint brushes on the fences and paths, play with sand and use some large apparatus. However, the outdoor environment does not fully reflect the stimulating learning environment that is offered indoors. Children enjoy a wide range of outings that complement their learning. These offer interesting and challenging experiences, which effectively support children to make good progress. They gain awareness of their local area, such as visits to sensory rooms, parks and playgroups to complement and extend their learning that is happening at the setting. These outings also successfully promote their understanding of the world and their physical development. The childminder provides a wide range of art and craft activities, some of which raise children's awareness of cultural events.

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

The childminder establishes strong relationships with children, who demonstrate a secure attachment to her. She finds out as much as she can from parents about children's likes, dislikes and routines and takes care to use the information. This ensures that routines are familiar and comforting and enables children to feel very secure and settle well. Each child's individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to a high standard. The childminder ensures that any specific dietary needs are met and children are well hydrated with regular drinks of water. Children eat nutritious home-cooked meals and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's independence is encouraged as they all successfully make their own sandwiches, cut their fruit and pour their own drinks. Through good discussions, this promotes the importance of a healthy diet and they gain an awareness of healthy foods.

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

The childminder encourages children to be independent and to hygienically manage their own personal needs. Young children are developing good self-help skills as they make good attempts to peel the lids of yoghurt pots and feed themselves. They are encouraged to wipe their own hands and faces afterwards. Children are well rested as they are encouraged to take regular naps appropriate for their age and in line with parents' wishes. Many planned activities successfully promote their physical development. For example, they kick balls around the garden, use scooters and dance and move to music indoors. They also walk in the local area and practise climbing skills at the local park.

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

The childminder effectively promotes children's well-being and independence. She allows children time to investigate on their own but knows when to offer help. Children gain a secure understanding of risk as they explore their environment and use equipment when baking, such as knives and graters. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan, which raises their awareness of what to do in an emergency. The childminder positively promotes children's sense of belonging and self-esteem and effectively praises them for their achievements. This results in children behaving well and feeling a sense of pride as they beam with delight and celebrate together. Regular outings to toddler groups are purposefully planned to help develop confidence and social skills as children become aware of others. This helps them to prepare for the next stage in their learning, such as nursery or school.

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provision

The childminder has completed safeguarding training and demonstrates a clear knowledge of the indicators of abuse and how to work with other agencies to protect children. She fully understands her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder regularly reviews her written risk assessment and follows a useful checklist to help her to visually check that the home is suitable and safe for children. She keeps all the required records and a wealth of others to help to keep children safe, protected and supported.

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provision

Since registration, the childminder has built a good service and demonstrates a strong drive to build on her success. Most of the childminder's plans for improvement are self- identified but she is open to the views of parents and professionals. She effectively identifies strengths and weaknesses, implementing clear improvement plans that are well focused. The childminder has attended some training events organised by the local authority. However, she does not widen her professional reading and training, for example, by making full use of the internet, Early Years Foundation Stage seminars or other guidance materials, to further improve her knowledge, understanding and practice.

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provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals and any gaps in learning, which are identified, are beginning to close. This is because the childminder uses her secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to assess and monitor children's progress. She is clearly aware of the benefits of working with others to support children's continuity of care and learning. Partnerships with parents are good. Parents access good quality information about the way that the childminder works through informative policies and they sign to say they have read them. Parents receive plenty of information about their children's care, learning and daily activities, verbally and electronically.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY436624 Local authority Knowsley Inspection number 795775 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1

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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

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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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