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 309103 Inspection date 17/03/2009 Inspector Wendy Fitton

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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 registered in November 2000. She is registered to care for five children under eight years on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children on roll and three are in the early years age range, two children attend after school.

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Description of the childminding

She lives in the Cliviger area of Burnley in Lancashire with her partner and three children aged 12, nine and four years. There is a family dog that stays in the utility room when children are present.

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Description of the childminding

The children have access to all downstairs areas including a bathroom. One bedroom is used for children who need to sleep. The rear garden is not accessible to the children, but there are local parks and fields in the neighbourhood.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is part of a local network of childminders, attending toddler groups and children's centres. She is a qualified nursery nurse and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a very warm, friendly welcome to all children. She ensures children enjoy their time and make good progress in their learning and development. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided as the children are really well supported and have access to all facilities and activities with their individual needs respected. Partnerships with parents are positive and the childminder ensures parents are fully informed about the organisational policies and procedures. Effective steps are taken to evaluate the provision and the childminder has a good understanding of identified strengths and weaknesses in order to promote children's welfare, learning and development.

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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 systems for planning so that they are tailored to meet individual needs, and review the process for observational assessements to include future learning and progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder works very effectively to provide good quality care and education for children. She has a good understanding of her identified strengths and weaknesses and there is a system in place for the self-evaluation of practices and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 continuous improvement. She has responded positively to the recommendation from the previous inspection revising the complaints policy for parents and has introduced a complaints record. The childminder has a very positive attitude to training and has completed various training courses to keep up to date with current practices and has a child care qualification in nursery nursing. There are links with other providers and professionals to ensure progression of children and the continuity of learning and care. There are good links with local network childminders.

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provision

Documentation which is required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is well organised and promotes all aspects of children's welfare. Children are protected and safeguarded owing to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, health and safety procedures and the steps taken to promote children's good health and well-being. There are very effective systems in place to manage and eliminate any risks to children. For example, all the areas of the house are safe and secure, arrival and collection procedures are followed and a detailed risk assessment is completed and any actions are identified. All necessary safety equipment is in place. Children are made aware of safety aspects, they know they are not allowed upstairs. They know not to run inside and they have road safety awareness.

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provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents to meet children's needs and to help them feel secure and confident. There are a number of letters of recommendation from past parents about the quality of the childminding service. She talks to parents on a daily basis about what the children have been doing and encourages them to telephone during the day. Parents have access to all organisational policies and procedures. There are systems in place to plan for children's settling in and induction to the provision, with a regular review of all care contracts. The childminder is very sensitive to the needs of parents and works flexibly according to their work patterns and any anxieties they may have about their child's welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She fully supports children's learning through planned activities and experiences both home based and within the local community. Children visit the park, socialise with other adults and children at toddler groups, children's centres and community activities. They have access to a wide range of resources and equipment to interest and motivate them to become active learners. They make independent choices about their play and access the designated play-room where all toys and games are accessible. Children are really settled and comfortable and respond to the routines and rhythms of the day as the childminder ensures children can play, rest and eat according to their own needs and routines. The childminder plans the activities to cover the six areas of learning and so supports children's social, creative and physical skills and develops their knowledge and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of the world, numbers and communication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop their social and independence skills as they sit together at the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 table and eat their lunch and talk about what they have been doing at nursery. They share any news with the childminder and inform her of the celebration of someone's birthday. Children help with the lunch preparation, they make choices about their sandwich filling, they butter bread and use appropriate utensils and ingredients independently. Children enjoy their story time with the childminder and are learning about print and meanings when relating to the words and pictures in the story book. They problem solve as they calculate how many pieces of bread are needed to make a sandwich and count how many pieces of ham fit on one slice of bread. They count sweets when decorating their biscuits and make a jigsaw together, finding the pieces that fit and look at colours shapes and patterns

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

on the jigsaw pieces. Children explore different textures and mediums, through baking biscuits, making collages and using play dough. Children develop their creative and imaginative skills as they sing and dance to music. They learn about festivals and celebrations as they celebrate children's birthdays and sing the birthday song. They learn about processes and look at the ingredients on the top of the pizza they have made. They discover how cheese melts and bread rises. The childminder observes children during their play and takes photographs for their development profiles, making links to the areas of learning. The childminder plans a range of activities and experiences for the children but these are not always tailored to the individual children's needs. Each child has a learning profile with dated artwork but this is not clear on how children are progressing towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to good quality care which actively promotes the children's health and well-being. Children are protected and safeguarded because the childminder understands what she needs to do in the event of a concern and has a written policy and procedure that includes information if there is an allegation against the childminder. She is aware of the signs and symptoms and has a record sheet for any concerns. She has access to government booklets and has done some recent training. The childminder helps children to stay safe in the environment and allows them to explore at their own pace and promotes their awareness of dangers. She has all necessary safety equipment in place, smoke alarms, fire blanket, first aid items. Children know they are not allowed upstairs, they know not to run inside and they pick up and tidy away toys. They know about the importance of good hygiene and have adopted healthy habits. Children are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

provided with healthy foods and learn about the importance of fresh air and regular exercise. They learn to respect and understand differences and diversity through discussion and the provision of resources and activities. There are different faith books, stories about people with disabilities and the small world resources reflect different cultures and people. Children learn about expected behaviours and are encouraged to share, use manners and behave nicely towards each other. 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 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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