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 EY375316 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 2008. She live with her husband and five children aged four, eight, 10, 13 and 16 years in an established area of Blackburn. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. One rabbit is kept as a pet, which children may come into contact with. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are four children on roll, who attend on different days. An out of school service is offered. Support and training is accessed from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Inclusive practice features throughout the childminder's practice and is embedded in the policies of the setting so that all children and their families are welcomed and their differences valued. Children learn about the world around them, during planned and free play opportunities and visits to local community areas. The childminder is developing her knowledge and understanding of how to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively, so that children's welfare and learning needs are promoted well, demonstrating her commitment to continuous improvement. Partnerships with parents is strong enabling good communication to be developed so that every child's needs are met very well. Children's safety features heavily in the childminder's everyday practice to ensure children are protected, as they take advantage of the range of activities and the experiences she provides for them.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise robust observation and assessment records for each child so that planning can be effective and children make as much progress as they can do towards achieving the early learning goals.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure in respect of every person aged 16 or over who lives on the premises and submit to Ofsted the required clearance forms EY2 (Suitable People). 22/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The comprehensive written policies that have been devised promote and enhance the welfare and safety of all children. The childminder carries out risk assessments and effectively organises her home childcare environment with safety in mind. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge of child development so she can provide good quality care and learning for all children. The childminder is beginning to develop her methods of observing and assessing children's developmental progress but this is not formalised yet. Confidence in using self- assessment as a tool for improvement is being developed, with the childminder identifying areas where improvements will have the most impact. This approach therefore leading to outcomes for children being promoted well so they are as good as they can be. The knowledge gained from recent training is being used to inform the introduction of a formal assessment tool, so that children's progress can

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provision

be monitored and their next steps in learning can be planned. This is not in place yet.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and others are very effective and parents report their satisfaction about the care being provided for their children by the childminder. Two way flow of information about each child makes sure that children's welfare needs are fully met. The childminder encourages parents to share information about their child during the settling in period, so that she can be as informed as possible from the start about children's individual routines, likes and dislikes. A daily diary is used to record information on the child's day and this is actively shared with parents, who can also use this record to communicate relevant information if they wish. The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She has gained up-to-date training about safeguarding matters to raise her awareness and makes parents aware of her responsibility through her clear safeguarding policy. She is confident to implement required procedures when

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provision

necessary so children are protected. Children are always fully supervised in their play, both in the home and when being taken out to groups or to the park. Children are encouraged to learn about their own safety and that of others as their levels of independence increase.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children of all ages are provided with experiences and support, which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others. They learn to manage their behaviour and to develop social skills as they play with others of similar ages or older and with the childminder. Children feel happy and secure, because the childminder maintains and supports their emotional well-being, helping them to know themselves and to develop self-confidence. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in a caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. Formal assessment of children is in the early stages of implementation, but the childminder is using her observations of what children like and can do, to influence how to plan for their learning and enjoyment. Children learn how to keep safe because the childminder gives them opportunities, such as practising the emergency evacuation drill and learning about

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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 road safety, so that their better awareness and understanding leads to improved personal safety. Children are becoming aware of the wider world through some play resources that reflect equality and diversity, such as dolls, role play resources and books and when mixing with a range of different people at community groups.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's all round learning and development is promoted well during varied and worthwhile planned activities and free play, both in the home and during visits in the local and wider community. Children enjoy seeing animals when visiting the farm and experience bygone times at York museum as they see how mechanical sorting machines used to operate to sort the mail. Children's physical development is encouraged when they playing on the large equipment at the park and younger children use sit and ride toys in the garden as they become more able to control their bodies. The childminder has purchased all-in-one waterproof suits, therefore children can enjoy the freedom to play outside in wet weather thereby enhancing their learning and promoting their good health. Children of all ages have lots of opportunity to practise their finer muscle and coordination skills when they are creative. They decorate cakes and concentrate during the coin rubbing activity and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

when making their puppet. The childminder encourages imaginative play, for instance, when she throws a blanket over the table for the children to make a den.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's communication skills develop well because the childminder constantly reinforces and talks to children explaining things during activities and free play. Toddlers are encouraged to join in, as she talks to them about what she is doing and gives them time to prepare for routine changes, like snack time or school pick up times. They start to develop their problem solving skills, as they concentrate on selecting the toy they want from the selection made available to them. Children's all round development is fostered well, because they have opportunities to experience a range of different learning environments. Children's early understanding about numbers, letters and shapes is promoted through the many different resources that the childminder introduces to the children. She reads to children and uses games to reinforce learning. 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 registration.

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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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