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 EY377381 Inspection date 25/11/2008 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 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 in the Whalley area of Clitheroe. She lives with her husband and three children aged ten, nine and four. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the childcare register. She currently has two children on roll of which one is in the early years age range group. The childminder takes and collects children from the school and she routinely visits a toddler group for the younger children.

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Description of the childminding

Children have access to all downstairs areas including a play room, conservatory, lounge, dining kitchen, bathroom downstairs, bathroom on the first floor, children's bedrooms and a rear garden. The childminder also provides overnight care.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the individual needs of the children in her care and this enables her to promote their overall learning and development. They play and learn in a safe environment and can make choices from the safely stored toys and equipment. Relationships with parents is positive and ensures children's individual needs are established and a fully inclusive environment maintained. All children are welcomed and feel secure being involved and valued for who they are and their families respected. The childminder is aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) but documentation to support this is not fully established. The childminder has identified some further improvements within the setting although a formal self evaluation system does not exist at present.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems you use in order to undertake sensitive observational assessments to plan to meet the young childrens individual needs, and include this information in the development of the planning to make children's learning progressive towards the early learning goals  improve the equality of opportunity policy to include how you will ensure that the individual needs of all children will be met and to demonstrate your commitment to working with parents. This should also include those children with a disability or special need.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (Safeguarding and Welfare) 09/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminders home is organised to assist children in making choices and promoting their decision making, as they choose from the easily accessible resources. The children have their own dedicated playroom which gives them a sense of belonging. Flexible routines which include both indoor and outdoor activities provide children with a balance of opportunities and activities to enable them to play in a spontaneous manner. Activities are thoroughly enjoyed by children, however, systems to address children's progress are not yet secure enough to be fully effective.

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provision

The mandatory requirement to attend a first aid course and a childminding course has been met by the childminder. She is becoming more familiar with the requirements of the EYFS although there are still some gaps in relation to the records kept for children and regulatory documentation. For example, a complaints record has not yet been devised and the Equal opportunity policy lacks the detail required. The childminder has a positive approach to the health and safety of the children as she ensures safety features are in place and all areas are kept very clean and hygienic. The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of vetting and safeguarding procedures which ensures individuals who have access to children, are suitable.

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provision

The childminder builds effective relationships with parents which means all children are included. The parents are invited into the home and settle their child before leaving. This creates a two way flow of information and provides a link with home regarding what the child has done. The childminder and parents work together on the children's learning and development and have an open and honest relationship including the sharing of a communication sheet to assist in identifying children's needs. She recognises and is committed to the meeting of the needs of each individual child in her care to enable them to be challenged and supported in their overall welfare, learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a secure environment for children in which she addresses their learning and development needs. The children enjoy themselves as they access the resources within the playroom. They make towers and build with the bricks, counting with the childminder and naming colours as they play. This activity also supports their mathematical development as they use mathematical language to discuss how big, how heavy and the size of the tower. This sensitive support enables children to learn as an outcome of their individual interests. They change activities and ask for the play dough and sit at the table rolling, cutting and making shapes. They delight in using the vast selection of tools, for example, pastry cutters to make shapes and cut the play dough. They chatter and engage in some lovely conversation about what they are doing with the play dough. The children change activities as they lead their own play and are given the freedom to support

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their own learning. This approach enables children to become independent and to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make connections in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the individual needs of the children, however the observation and assessment procedure does not fully include how the she observes and assesses the children's progress. It is also unclear how this information is used to inform future planning, regarding the next steps for learning. The childminder demonstrates her knowledge of the children she cares for and identifies their starting points through discussion with the parents and how she provides activities to meet their individual needs. She makes sure children feel secure and are involved and valued for who they are. They feel part of the community as they attend the local toddler groups, enjoying the social experiences and developing their social skills as they mix with the other children within these groups.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to the children in her care and develops their understanding of being safe as she talks to them and gives explanations regarding the reason why. They eat a healthy balanced diet and talk about kiwi being good for colds. They access their drink of water and enjoy a drink of milk with their snacks. The childminder ensures that her home is relaxed, safe and with enough resources to support the activities provided and to promote the welfare, learning and development of the children. 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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