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 EY221984 Inspection date 04/06/2009 Inspector Shaheen Matloob

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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 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 August 2002. She lives with her husband and three young children in a detached home in the Lowerhouse area of Burnley, Lancashire. Her husband also works with the childminder as her assistant. Local amenities, such as schools, shops and parks are all close by. The facilities available for childminding include a lounge, dining area, a playroom and an enclosed outdoor garden. The childminder has a pet dog. She is registered to offer overnight care for one child under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with her assistant she is able to care for seven children under eight years with no more than two in the early years age range. Together they both care for five children in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Both the childminder and her assistant hold level 3 qualifications. The childminder uses her vehicle to transports the children to and from school and attend several playgroups. She is a member of the local approved network and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly effective in ensuring that children's progress is consistently good and exemplary in significant aspects, including welfare. The childminder has excellent and collaborative relationships with parents whose involvement is integral to their children's learning and development. The diversity of children and families is highly valued and respected and promoted through various activities. The childminder is skilled in ensuring that an inclusive environment is provided and children attending other settings and those with additional needs obtain the necessary support through effective partnerships with others, promoting continuity of care and smooth transition. Regular cycles of high quality planning and review alongside self evaluation systems ensure that the improvement process is ongoing.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the involvement of parents and children in the self evaluation process and use this process to identify the setting's strengths and weaknesses and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The organisation of the home is exceptional and ensures that children have excellent opportunities to become independent and select a wide range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Children's artwork and achievements are highly respected and displayed attractively within the setting, giving children a sense of belonging and promoting self esteem. The childminder is passionate and very committed to providing a high quality service. She has a clear commitment to improving her knowledge base and learning new skills through regular training and professional development. Self evaluation systems are effective and involve informed discussions with children and parents, leading to clear identification of targets for further improvement. A 'reflection book' helps to identify priorities for development, although this is not fully developed. The provision and outcomes are also monitored through regular quality checks and

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provision

appraisals through the approved network.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are exemplary and well established. The childminder recognises that parents play a central and important part in their children's learning, development and well-being. Parents are provided with a wide range of high quality information about the childminder setting through the settling in process and regular exchanges of information. Parents are fully involved in supporting their children’s learning and development. They frequently input information into their children's records and take them home regularly, commenting on the progress their children have made. Planning is displayed for parents and the childminder uses this and regular communication to actively encourage parents to support their children's learning in meaningful ways. Parents value the service offered and make comments such as the childminder is 'friendly and caring towards the children' and 'she is flexible and accommodating to parents'

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provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust and exceptionally well managed. The childminder's knowledge and experience ensures that she provides an environment that is extremely safe, fully supportive and thoroughly risk assessed. This ensures that children feel safe and thrive. Rigorous documentation and high quality safeguarding systems are in place to identify children at risk and to make sure that early intervention with appropriate agencies ensures that children are protected and their welfare is prioritised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relish their time in the dynamic and vibrant setting as they talk about how they 'love' coming to the childminder's and how they have best friends. All children make very good or excellent progress in their learning because they are supported by the childminder who has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Information about children's needs, interests and systematic observations are used together to plan a high quality and challenging range of activities. These are tailored to suit the individual needs and interests of children and ensure that they achieve as much as possible in relation to their starting points and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 capabilities. Planning is shared with parents and incorporates the six areas of learning, outdoor play and the wider community. Children's records of learning and development are detailed and cover all aspects of children's achievements and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

progress, including learning intentions and the next steps in their learning. Children work together to build and connect a train track, thinking critically as they decide how and where each piece of track will fit depending on the direction they want to travel in. They have exciting opportunities to develop their communication skills as they look at photographs of themselves in a 'talking album' where children have recorded their own personal captions for their individual photographs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being needs are consistently met through established and well planned daily routines, discussions and planned activities. The childminder maintains meticulous standards of hygiene throughout the home. Hand washing procedures are fully understood and consistently followed by children, who explain the importance of hand washing with soap because it makes them clean and it stops germs from getting into their 'tummies' and making them poorly. Children make healthy choices about their food and drink as they select from a varied range of freshly prepared, home cooked and nutritionally balanced meals. Children are involved in devising the weekly menu, prepare their own snacks and chop up foods. They sample foods from other cultures and use a popular television character to enhance children's knowledge of healthy lifestyles and healthy foods. Children recognise that lettuce and carrots are healthy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to be active and understand the benefits of physical activity and explain how this keeps them fit. They engage in daily physical activity and make excellent use of the outdoor area and the equipment available. Children develop mathematical skills as they engage in outdoor activities to recognise and order numbers, throwing a large dice and counting the number of spots or identifying colours. Children engage in creative activities and persist for a length of time as they thread beads through ribbon, creating patters to make a bracelet and necklace which they wear with pride. The childminder has a high regard and commitment to promoting and keeping children safe. A detailed and thorough risk assessment for all aspects of the home and outings ensures that risks to children are managed very well. This ensures that there is a balance of freedom and safe limits and children can take risks in a supportive environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a superb understanding of safety and discuss how they must put their seatbelts on properly in the car and 'walk sensibly outside' when practising fire evacuations, furthermore they are very clear that they must not come back into the house because 'you will get burnt'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children effectively develop a sense of their own identity and culture as well as that of the wider society and world. Planned and spontaneous events and discussions help children to learn about others. For example, children's discussions about their family holidays result in the childminder providing a world map so that children can pin point their holiday destination. They use this to engage in activities and discussions about that particular country and the method of transport used to reach their destination. Children effectively develop habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners. Clear and consistent expectations alongside sensitive explanations help children to understand what is expected of them and understand right from wrong. This results in children who are consistently well behaved, polite This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and clearly understand that to be good 'you have to behave yourself, be kind,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

friendly and share your toys'. 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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