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 307731 Inspection date 05/11/2008 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

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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 lives with her two adult children within easy access of Accrington town centre and is registered for six children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently has four children on roll all aged under three years. Minded children have access to the whole of the premises and are taken out for walks and to the local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has regular contact with other local registered childminders and has joined the local childminding network group. She is qualified to level 3 in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder mostly promotes children's welfare ensuring that they are safe and secure. Her good understanding of the children's needs enables her to provide a caring and child-centred environment which promotes all aspects of their learning. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure an inclusive approach is maintained and that children's individuality and uniqueness is recognised. Her ability to maintain continuous improvement through self-evaluation is developing, identifying some strengths and weaknesses, but does not clearly demonstrate the priorities for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the observational assesment procedure to identify children's learning needs and use this to plan for children's next steps  ensure the risk assessment is dated to determine the date for review  develop the systems for the reviewing of documentation.

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provision

The childminder organises her home to be welcoming to children and to enable them to access resources and make individual choices. The required policies and procedures to support the management of the setting and to meet children's individual needs are in place. Although the childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses, there is no system in place to monitor her provision to evaluate and maintain her continuous improvement. Children's health is promoted as they are encouraged to follow good practices, such as washing hands and talking about germs. They have a healthy balanced diet enjoying the grapes provided at snack time and access their drinks to monitor their own needs. The childminder has addressed the issue from the last inspection and the certificate of registration is now displayed for parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a sound understanding of the need to safeguard the children

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provision

in her care and has the required safety equipment in place. She discusses aspects of safety with the children therefore developing their understanding. However, the risk assessment is not dated to determine when it was completed or to set the date for the reviewing to ensure it is appropriate. The childminder has a positive approach to training and has attended workshops on the EYFS and has completed a level 3, qualification in childcare.

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provision

The childminder has a good relationship with parents and seeks information regarding the children in her care. She invites them into the home and discusses the activities and topics they are taking part in. All consent forms are in place and she shares all her policies and procedures with them. She discusses with parents the activities their children take part in, and has sought feedback regarding her provision. She discusses what children do at home in order to develop a two-way flow of information to promote the children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe environment which allows children to make decisions about their play. They choose from the easily accessible resources to enhance their play and make it unique to them. They engage in spontaneous play using a large cardboard box to hide in, pretending it is a boat as they use their imagination becoming active learners. They delight in a close and caring relationship as the childminder sits with and plays with the children; all three play together in a lovely supportive manner and talk about what they are doing, for example, playing shop and talking about what items she sells in the shop. The children extend their speech and language as they chat and talk about what they are doing and by listening to each other as they play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is some planning for individuals to ensure that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across the areas of learning. Although the childminder records her observations on the children, this information is not sufficiently used to formally assess children's learning in detail and to use this information to move the child forward by identifying the next steps for learning, based on their interests. Children engage in a balance of adult-led and child-led activities as they paint and glue with the childminder, or decide they want to read a book or play in the role play. They are provided with both indoor and outdoor experiences as they play within the home and attend the local toddler groups developing their social skills by mixing with other children at the groups.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are taken out on a daily basis as they go for walks or to the park to enhance their understanding of the world around them as they discuss the traffic and the natural world. The childminder supports children in recognising both numbers and colours as she names them during their play enabling them to attach meaning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to the children in her care and promotes their health and well-being by having appropriate systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication. All required consents are in place to enable photographic evidence This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of children's development to take place. She follows children's interest as she provides scissors and cutting activities, recognising that one child has a keen interest in this area. This individual approach allows for children to make good progress in their learning and development. 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? 3 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? 3

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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

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 Early Years Foundation Stage General Welfare Requirements.

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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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