Childminder in Blackpool

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

308513 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Margaret Baines Inspector

p.1

Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 in a three bedroom detached house which is set back from a main road in Anchorsholme. The ground floor is used for childminding which includes a large lounge, the hallway and a dining kitchen. The conservatory is used as a quiet area for rest. There is also a ground floor toilet and two bedrooms on the first floor for use by minded children. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently nine children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Blackpool Oak Tree network. She has an early years qualification NVQ level 3 and receives support from the local authority.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities, which contribute to their health and well being. Activities are planned to ensure the children's physical skills develop very well through play. Children become increasingly aware of how activity effects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. For example, they ask the childminder for more drinks if their cups become empty. They enjoy regular exciting outdoor activities, which promotes their good health and development. For example, they paint out of doors with the large brushes making faces and shapes. They also enjoy treasure hunts in the very well maintained outdoor area. Children enjoy a rest in peaceful surroundings to ensure they feel refreshed. They have their health needs met as the childminder has all the required written consents and holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder, through the training and her experience, feels secure in her

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

knowledge to deal with a first aid emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are secure and cared for in a warm, extremely clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from the exposure to germs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy apples, bananas, raw vegetables and raisins as an example of the healthy snacks provided. They also enjoy a daily cooked meal which suits their dietary needs well and always includes fresh fruit and vegetables ensuring children eat at least five portions each day. Children are provided with regular drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the food she serves to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting. Children's dietary needs are adequately met in the care of the childminder through her careful planning and attention to detail.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The environment for children is extremely welcoming, is visually stimulating and offers different areas where they can choose to play. Space is used creatively so that there is quiet, active and imaginative play opportunities catered for. The areas for indoor play are very well equipped to promote choice for the children. The outdoor area houses a very good selection of toys and activities, which extend children’s physical development through well planned activities. Toys and equipment are organised in a way that allows children easy access, for example toy boxes and low level storage are available.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and secure within this environment and when on outings as the childminder has due regard for safety procedures. She keeps the front door locked at all times, has safety equipment in place and ensures children travel in a vehicle which has appropriate restraints. Emergency fire procedures are in place, with practises with the children recorded at regular intervals. This ensures children become familiar with the method of evacuation quickly

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. and learn how to keep themselves safe. Children learn the importance of safety for both themselves and for each other through careful explanation by the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the responsibilities for recording and reporting alleged abuse of a child and maintains contact details of relevant bodies.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children feel extremely happy and secure because they settle easily with the childminder and others in the setting. They thoroughly enjoy their play and this extends outside the home by partaking in outings and regular outdoor play. Children spend their time purposefully and they develop well in all areas of learning. They have very good opportunities to develop language, mathematical thinking and creative play through stories, role play and visits to the local shops to practise their skills. Children are enthusiastic in all aspects of play and very proud of their achievements and eager to share them with others, which promotes their self esteem very well.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of the ages and stages of development of the children in her care, how to meet their needs, promote their development and ensure their well being. She plans activities which offer a very good range of experiences. In particular the children enjoyed playing in the rice tray, caring for the dolls, dressing and feeding them. The children love to play outdoors and were very excited to paint with the large brushes and ride on the trikes and cars. She has available for them an extensive range of delightful resources, which children love to use and experience.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She embraces the Birth to three matters guidance, a framework to assist this aspect of practice and used to enhance the care of the younger children. Children have excellent opportunities to enjoy a fun and stimulating day within a very relaxed and caring environment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children's individual learning needs are ably provided for by good curriculum planning that specifies the coverage of the stepping stones with consideration given for ability levels and younger children coming in during the year. Children’s desire to learn is stimulated by the exciting range of activities organised. For example, writing names in the rice tray and painting faces with the large paint brushes in the outdoor area. Children also enjoy a very good range of small world resources which include those which reflect our diverse society. The childminder plans a varied day where children eagerly select resources for their play ideas and freely move around the areas of the lounge which offers continuous provision in the form of a very good selection of toys boxes from which children can make choices. However, the boxes are not at present labelled therefore children miss an

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunity to observe additional print in the environment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children persist at their play for good periods of time and concentrate intently in the group times that are well focussed by the childminder. For example, at circle time the childminder and the children talked about the feelings we have when we experience something new, both

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. happy and sad feelings. The childminder encourages the children's sharing and listening skills. Their progress is regularly assessed by her identifying the key skills achieved, using information from parents and her daily assessments as she plans for the next steps in the children's learning. Children's specific achievement of stepping stones towards the early learning goals are recorded within their development records. However, at present there is not a system in place to ensure that a record is maintained of the stepping stones visited and those yet to be achieved.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making very good progress in all areas of learning supported by effective teaching that stimulates their curiosity and motivation to learn. They use numbers readily in their play and can count to 10 and some beyond as the childminder makes good use of everyday opportunities, such as snack time and circle time to extend children's mathematical skills. Their calculation skills are developing as they decide how many brushes they have in the tray and how many trains are on the track. They eagerly identify shapes for example, a square and a circle. Children have good opportunities to recognise numbers as they consider the day of the week and match numbers in activities. Children also have very good communication, language and literacy skills as they eagerly use their good range of vocabulary to express their ideas chatting as they play. For example, one child was very keen to explain that he had seen a diesel

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

engine on his holidays. They talk about home and their experiences with enthusiasm. The children also enjoy story time and music and movement, singing their favourite songs. They use their thinking skills to explain how they will fix the train track together, how many pieces they will need. Children’s emergent writing skills are developing as they write their name on their art work and make lists and write cards.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children competently use tools as they make models with the play dough comparing the shapes and sizes with great enjoyment. They have good opportunities to develop their imaginative and creative skills as they enjoy the role play in the home corner with the good selection of props. They care for the babies and dress up with the variety of clothes available.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good access to musical instruments as they develop their skills to recognise loud and soft sounds. Children are learning to work together, the older children help the younger children, for example as they play in the lovely outdoor area. Children show good care and concern for each other and readily relate to each other's experiences and news. Their good self esteem is encouraged by the childminder who helps the children to achieve a sense of belonging to their community and their place in their close families.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are enthusiastically welcomed into the childminder’s home where they are valued and respected because she ensures each child has the opportunity to engage in all aspects of the provision. This applies to all children, whether they attend daily or on a part-time basis. The inclusion of all children is actively planned and monitored.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are learning to take responsibility for their behaviour because the childminder follows positive and effective strategies for helping children learn to manage their behaviour. Children learn the boundaries and guidelines because she is consistent and a very good role model, having high regard for the children. Children's behaviour is excellent; they learn right

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. from wrong because the childminder is consistent in her approach and provides gentle reminders to reinforce boundaries.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is outstanding. This most effective partnership contributes significantly to children's well being. Parents are provided with comprehensive information, which informs them about the care provided. Parents' views are actively sought and they are provided with daily diaries about the children’s daily activities plus for the funded children detailed assessments of their progress through the stepping stones. Parents learn about their child's development through discussion and daily written communication. They are actively involved in their child's learning by providing detailed information at the time the child commences the care arrangement. Parents are encouraged to update the childminder on any significant changes and development and they contribute to the topic work. This ensures children's individual needs are met and a strong link is made with home.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children learn about their community and other cultures as they engage in activities, which promote their understanding. They visit various places in the area, for example the zoo and the beach. They also visit different shops learning what is sold in them, for example, the butcher and the baker. The children enjoy playing together and learn to share. They also are learning to manage their behaviour and are well mannered as they ask for a drink, saying 'please' and 'thank you'. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within a very well organised environment. There are effective and clear procedures in place to promote children's learning and development as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. The required written permissions are in place, which ensures parents are clear about all aspects of her practice. The childminder records the children’s achievements as they progress along the stepping stones, however there is not a system in place to monitor and record which stepping stones have been included in the activities.

p.6

Organisation

Children are looked after by the childminder in a very safe and secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and learning through well planned experiences. The childminder ensures that she develops her practice and has recently updated the first aid qualification in line with current requirements to ensure children’s needs can be met should there be an emergency. She uses the Birth to three guidance, a framework for developing the care of children under three.

p.6

Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to replace the items in the first aid box, which had become out of date. These have now been replaced and the childminder has devised a

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. system to frequently check all items to ensure they are not out of date, so enhancing the care of the children.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.7

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • include reference to the Birth to three guidance in the development records of those children under three years.

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure there is in place a system to accurately check and cross reference the stepping stones identified in the activities planned to promote children’s development • provide children with additional examples of print in the environment to assist them to learn that print carries meaning.

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

p.7