Childminder in Wirral

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/12/2014 06/06/2014

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 4 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision requires improvement

 Children settle well because the childminder finds out meaningful information from parents and carers to support their well-being.  The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and a clear understanding of her responsibilities should she be concerned about a child. This ensures that children's welfare is protected and they are kept safe.  The childminder aspires to improve. She has accessed a range of training and support since the last inspection and as a result, her knowledge and skills are developing.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not consistently use information collected from observations and assessments to plan a wide range of challenging activities to meet the needs of individual children and as a result, children are not always engaged in purposeful play.  The home is not sufficiently clean enough to ensure children's good health and well- being.  The childminder does not consistently intervene in children's play to extend their learning further by supporting their communication and thinking skills.  Children have limited access to natural resources and sensory experiences in order to fully explore and investigate.

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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 looked at the areas of the premises used for childminding purposes, indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed a selection of documentation covering children's learning, policies and attendance records. In addition, the inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all adults in the setting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the written views of parents provided to the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed practice and interaction between the childminder and children and had discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the day.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Birkenhead on the Wirral. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. The family has a pet dog. The childminder collects children from the local schools. There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminding provision operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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must:

 ensure children are consistently engaged in purposeful play by planning a wide range of challenging activities using information gathered from observation and assessment

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must:

 ensure all areas that children access are clean, so that children's health and well- being is consistently supported.

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

 strengthen the quality of teaching, for example, by consistently repeating key phrases, introducing new vocabulary and using a range of questions that encourage children's thinking skills, so that children make the best possible progress

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

 provide a wider range of natural materials and sensory experiences, such as, sand, water and malleable materials, to enable children to explore texture and develop their physical skills.

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who attend

Since the last inspection, the childminder has established systems to observe children and records her findings in individual files, using this information to suitably assess their progress. However, the childminder is not consistently using this information to plan a wide range of challenging activities to support children to make good progress. As a result, children are not always engaged in purposeful play that builds on what they can already do.

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who attend

The quality of teaching is suitable. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of how children learn. She engages children generally as they play, talking to them about what happens when the buttons on a toy are pressed. As children explore resources, the childminder names items to help children develop language skills. The childminder selects age-appropriate books for young children to look at, as she reads the words to them. Furthermore, she sings songs and rhymes with actions and as a result, young children are developing adequate language and communication skills. The childminder talks to older children about the numbers they see in their environment, for example, as they walk to the park, they identify numbers on the passing buses. Consequently, children are developing sufficient skills in number recognition. The childminder provides opportunities for children to practise a range of skills that they will need as they move onto school. For

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who attend

example, she has resources for children to make marks, such as paintbrushes and crayons. However, the childminder does not consistently intervene in children's play to extend their learning further by asking questions to encourage children to think, extending sentences or repeating key phrases. As a result, children do not make as much progress as possible in relation to their starting points, although they learn appropriate skills for their future learning.

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who attend

The childminder uses an effective system to find out about children's prior learning before children start in her setting. She informs parents about children's development at hand over times, when the childminder discusses a range of information about the child's day. Parents written comments are complementary about the childminder and the progress their children make while in her care. The childminder shares basic information with schools to ensure a flow of information from school to home. As a result, children are beginning to benefit from a shared approach in supporting their learning.

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

The childminder provides a welcoming and adequately resourced setting. She talks to parents at hand over times to find out about children's routines and as a result, children settle quickly. Children develop secure relationships with the childminder and are happy to explore the environment knowing she is close. Older children are emotionally prepared for changes, such as moving to school. This is because the childminder has developed a range of strategies, for example, using appropriate story books, to help children understand what to expect. The childminder attends groups with younger children where they have opportunities to make friends. Furthermore, as the childminder collects older children from school, younger children begin to experience the school environment. As a result, younger children are beginning to be emotionally prepared for their move to school. Since the last inspection, the childminder has developed her knowledge and skills

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

to manage children's behaviour. Older children contribute to establishing a set of house rules and the childminder consistently reinforces clear boundaries for all children. As a result, children behave reasonably well in the childminder's care. The childminder has improved the safety of the home through completing risk assessments for all areas that children access. Furthermore, she completes a daily check to ensure the home is safe before children arrive. However, some areas of the home, for example the kitchen and bathroom, are not as clean as other areas to ensure children's health and well-being are consistently protected. The setting is adequately resourced, with a range of resources for the various ages of children that attend. These are stored at low levels so that younger children can select what they want to play with. Older children are encouraged to select their own games and craft activities; this means their independence

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

is promoted adequately. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to access natural resources and sensory experiences in order to explore and investigate.

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

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to promote healthy lifestyles. She provides reasonably healthy snacks for children and opportunities to access fresh air and exercise through visiting the local park. While playing on the large play equipment, children can experience risk and challenge, while learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder will encourage them to start at a lower level before trying a more advanced level, while climbing on the large climbing frames. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day and ensures they have adequate self-care skills as they move onto school.

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provision

The childminder has a sufficient understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has suitable safeguarding policies and procedures in place to support her practice, which include how she would manage an allegation made against her. The childminder attends courses to ensure her safeguarding knowledge and skills are up to date, and she knows what to do if she has any concerns about a child in her care. Policies and procedures are reviewed at regular intervals and shared with parents. The childminder holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate to support children's health in the event of an accident. Children's attendance is documented, accidents properly recorded and shared with parents and there are appropriate systems in place to ensure medication is administered safely. Consequently, children are appropriately safeguarded while in the childminder's care.

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provision

The childminder aspires to improve. Since the last inspection, she has evaluated her provision, including comments from parents. Furthermore, she has sought support from the local authority and because of her pro-active approach, has an action plan in place. Since the last inspection, she has made all areas safe for children. Further to this, her knowledge and understanding of how children learn has already improved through accessing training courses and networking with other childminders. There are now processes in place to observe and assess children's ongoing learning and as a result, the childminder is beginning to track their progress. However, the childminder acknowledges that she needs to further improve her skills and knowledge. For example, she is still learning about how to plan a wide range of challenging activities to ensure children are always engaged in their play and her teaching strategies are not yet fully effective.

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provision

The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and carers. For example, she shares information at the beginning and end of the day and passes on information regarding children's care routines. Furthermore, the childminder is able to discuss how she will establish partnerships with other settings or agencies when the need arises. As a result, the childminder demonstrates her understanding of the importance of preparing children appropriately for the next stage in their learning.

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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 EY224912 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 979634 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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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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