Childminder in Lancashire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307593 Inspection date 31/10/2008 Inspector Cynthia Walker

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 1993. She lives in a semi-detached house with her adult son in the village of Kelbrook, near Barnoldswick. The childminder is within walking distance of the local park, toddler group and shops. The areas used for childminding are the lounge/dining room and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently there are four children on roll; of these, three are within the early years age group. The childminder visits the local toddler groups regularly.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder lacks knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has established close and positive relationships with the children in her care. However, the overall learning experiences for children, particularly within the home, affect their progress and individual development. Insufficient risk assessment procedures and lack of appropriate first aid training have an impact on children's welfare. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of individual children's backgrounds and needs, although, their individual learning needs are not adequately supported. Although the childminder has introduced some resources which reflect diversity, she lacks some awareness of how to promote equality of opportunity within her childcare practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of the educational programmes in order to undertake sensitive observational assessment and to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development 30/04/2009  complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course 01/02/2009  complete a risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, for the home and any outings undertaken 17/11/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve understanding of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice to ensure that the individual needs of all children are met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has some awareness of children's learning, although she is not challenging and promoting their personal development sufficiently. She is suitably maintaining most of the documentation required for the safe management of her provision and has produced a number of written policies and procedures to support the children's needs. The childminder is aware of the hazards within her home and has taken action to minimise these risks, however, there is no record of a risk assessment for the home or how children will be kept safe on outings. The childminder organises her home sufficiently to enable children to move around spontaneously and make independent selection from the basic range of resources which are made available.

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provision

The childminder has some understanding of her strengths and weaknesses, however, there is no clear system in place to monitor her provision to identify targets for further improvement. Although she has attended a few short courses including first aid, this does not reflect the criteria for effective paediatric first aid training. The childminder has appropriately addressed the recommendations from last inspection which has a direct impact on the outcomes for children, for example, the child protection policy has the correct details to report if there is any suspected abuse or neglect. She has a sufficient understanding of child protection issues to enable her to appropriately safeguard children.

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provision

Parents and carers are provided with satisfactory information about the care the childminder provides through a pack which includes her policies and procedures. The childminder encourages parents to share information about their children when they begin to attend to establish the children's individual needs. Parents are sufficiently informed about their children's day through verbal communication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements which has a significant impact on children's progress. She demonstrates some knowledge of the individual children's development, however, because of the lack of regular assessments the childminder does not have a clear understanding of their capabilities to ensure children achieve as much as they can. Although children access local toddler groups most mornings of the week, the organisation of activities within the home does not include planned and purposeful play enabling children to be active learners. The childminder allows the children to make decisions about the resources they wish to play with and these are regularly rotated, however, children only have access to a limited selection of toys and activities daily to stimulate and encourage their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have daily access to outdoor experiences which includes walks to collect conkers. They play cooperatively together whilst marching like soldiers or manoeuvring the wheeled toys around the home. Children are well behaved and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 respond to the calm and consistent responses from the childminder, although the range of resources does not always sustain their active involvement in play. Older children show sensitivity to the younger children as they find resources to support their play. The children have established positive and secure relationships with the childminder who listens and interacts with them during play. The childminder sits with children and enables them to find the correct hole to put a shape into and lifts a child so that he can use the binoculars to watch the birds out of the window. Children are confident communicators and use language to negotiate at play or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

share experiences from home with support from the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not formally review the risks within her home to actively promote the children's safety. Although she has attended some first aid training, this has not been sufficiently maintained to effectively promote the good health of children. The childminder is encouraging children to develop an understanding of safety as she gives clear explanations on how to use the wheeled toys. Children have a good understanding of fire procedures as they explain that they have to get out quickly if there is a fire. Appropriate documentation is in place to promote the children's health and suitable hygiene practices are in place. 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

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

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Inadequate The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Inadequate How well are children helped to be healthy? Inadequate How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Inadequate How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Inadequate

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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.

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