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 307706 Inspection date 27/11/2008 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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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 has been a registered childminder for 17 years. She lives with her husband in North Lancaster. Downstairs, minded children have access to the front room and back room for sleeping purposes. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is a garden area to the rear of the property.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is registered on the early years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age range, and the childminder takes and collects children from local schools

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has secure knowledge of the individual needs of the children and supports them well, ensuring no child is disadvantaged. Children make good progress in their learning and development, though written documentation does not clearly show progression. The childminder promotes children's welfare with success, however, written risk assessments are not sufficiently detailed. Partnership working is a priority and parents are fully included in their child's life at the setting. Informal self-evaluation highlights key strengths and weaknesses and is used to plan for improvement though is not robust enough to ensure all areas are identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the written policies by evaluating practice and making reference to current guidelines, and formalise systems for recording complaints  continue to develop planning and assessment to show clear progression through all areas of learning by evaluating and building on current practice  ammend current written risk assessments to include all required detail

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provision

The childminder shows a commitment to developing her setting and the care on offer to the children. Recommendations raised during the previous inspection have been appropriately rectified. While no formal methods of self-evaluation have been employed the childminder has a clear vision for her setting and has identified and prioritised improvements, particularly regarding learning and development. Documentation is in place and in order, however, while the childminder is aware of her duties regarding the recording of complaints, documentation is not available This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 should the need arise.

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provision

There is a close partnership between the childminder and parents. Parents receive a pack containing shortened policies, which keeps them well informed of how the setting operates and are invited into the setting to see the children at play. They enjoy a regular information exchange through written dairies and daily discussion and observations of children are shared. Comments from parents feeds into the assessments and plans to ensure appropriate experiences are offered. This provides an holistic view of the child and ensures his or her needs are met.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and the procedures to employ. The childminder has a good understanding of risks in and around the setting. Fire exits are immediately identified for visitors and written risk assessments are in place, however, they are very brief and do not sufficiently identify risks for individual outings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy in the setting. Close attachments have been created with the childminder and they are confident in her care. They thrive on the range of appropriate activities, and interactions from the childminder challenge their understanding and enable them to succeed. The childminder has built up a secure knowledge of the individual needs of the children through observations, and informally plans for development, for example, introducing different textures. Planning, observation and assessment are very much in their infancy and do not clearly show how progression is monitored. Children thoroughly enjoy snuggling up to retell stories with puppets, create pictures using natural and found objects, and pretend to be builders in the role play area. Their language skills are developed through the thoughtful responses by the childminder, who mimics and repeats what they say. They participate eagerly in impromptu singing times and are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

actively encouraged to join in with actions and instruments. Activities indoors are linked to experiences elsewhere and the wider community, for example, when sharing a book about animals, discussion takes place about the real squirrels they have seen in the local park. This give children a sense of belonging and develops skills in all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is a priority. They learn to stay safe through gentle reminders to help to tidy up and to use toys carefully. Older children are reminded about keeping unsuitable toys away from babies and younger children and this is well managed. Hygiene standards are high and the childminder acts as a good role model, explaining to the children that she must wash her hands after changing nappies to get rid of the germs. They thoroughly enjoy a selection of home cooked meals and snacks and relish the home made soups at lunch time. The main first aid box in the house contains an opened sterile item which presents a risk to children. Children are well behaved and respond positively to the calm requests from the childminder. They thrive on positive reinforcement and are constantly being told how good they are and what a good job they have done. This increases self-esteem and gives them the confidence to succeed.

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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

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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? 2 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 the 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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