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 307660 Inspection date 05/02/2009 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 1992. She lives with her husband, two adult children and a 13 year old child in a residential area of Freckleton, near Preston, close to shops, parks and schools.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor which comprises of the dining room, the playroom and the lounge. Bathroom facilities are located downstairs and there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the house. The family has a dog and goldfish as their pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early year’s age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local schools and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and local childminding network. Advice, support and training is received from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and supports their individual needs in full consultation with parents and other agencies. Children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder's commitment to developing planning and assessment systems ensures they receive a broad and balanced range of activities, though starting pointing for learning have not been thoroughly identified. The childminder promotes all aspects of the children's welfare and keeps them mostly safe and secure. The childminder shows a commitment to self evaluation and the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 evaluate and develop the selection of resources to include natural objects in order for children to widen their experiences of the world  continue to develop the recording systems for the children’s learning journey, including information obtained from parents regarding children’s starting points  keep the fire blanket within easy reach and record fire evacuation to evalute the procedure. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed to improvement and strives for excellence. Regular evaluations, including comments from parents, enable her to clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses on an ongoing basis. She is committed to further professional development and attends a range of training events to extend her skills and knowledge base and uses this to enhance her provision. Records, policies and procedures are in place. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has worked hard in implementing the requirements. Following recommendations made during the last inspection, written parental consents for outings are now in place for all children.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of the indicators of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have a concern. A written procedure is in place. Risk assessments are carried out and recorded which help to maintain a safe environment in which children can learn and play. Opportunities for children to learn about fire safety are provided however, the childminder does not keep details of this to review practice and the fire blanket is not placed within easy reach.

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provision

Partnership with parents is very well established and the childminder feels this is a strength within her practice. This is effectively based on various two-way communications to keep each other informed about the children and how they spend their time. Wonderful valuable information is gathered when children commence and daily diaries illustrate what children are doing, including important aspects of their day and how they are progressing. The involvement of parent's in their children's learning is developing effectively through the childminder sharing their children's files and by them contributing information about what their children are doing at home and in other settings. This means that links between the childminder, other settings and the home are strong and consolidate learning and achievements between educators. Policies and procedures are also fully shared and reflect current information.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children fully benefit from the childminder's extremely positive approach to the care and education of minded children. By embracing the new framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she uses her experience and present knowledge to ensure individual learning and development needs are met. Children make good progress in all areas of learning and planning is in place to ensure all areas are equally covered. She knows the children well and is able to confidently talk about their development and next steps in their learning. Children have individual files in place which include colourful photographs and observation sheets which are linked to the areas of learning. She uses discussion with parents to identify starting points however; she has yet to fully implement this into the recording systems for the children’s learning journey. Planning is flexible and is based on children's individual interests, allowing children a range of indoor and outdoor activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 There is a good balance of adult and child-led activities. She develops their language skills and vocabulary through talking, asking questions, songs and daily stories, which also encourages the children's interest in books. The childminder makes good use of everyday activities to promote children's mathematical learning, for example, they compare the clothes when taken out of the washing machine to see how heavy or light they are. They thrive on the interactions of the childminder during story time and understand that books have meaning and a storyline as they listen. The childminder challenges their thinking and supports their understanding through relevant questioning as they retell the story. Children enjoy independent access to a range of well organised, toys and resources and make choices and decisions in their own learning but tend to lack self exploratory play opportunities

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with natural materials and items of interest. The childminder has also identified this weakness in her practice. Babies are cuddled and gently nursed when they first wake up, giving them a sense of belonging, they are supported well as their physical mobility and coordination increase.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of behaviour management techniques and gives regular praise and encouragement to promote positive behaviour. There is a good range of resources, pictures and books which reflect positive images of diversity, which helps children, learn to respect others. Children are developing many skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being. For example, they are eager to use programmable toys and they become increasingly confident in using interactive resources. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since last inspection.

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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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