Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 11 Feb 2009

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 308753 Inspection date 11/02/2009 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, three and 10. They live in a semi-detached house in the Lostock Hall area of Preston, Lancashire. Childminding takes place on the ground floor. The lounge and kitchen are used for play and ground floor toilet facilities are available. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, one of whom may be in the early years age range, although an exception to this has been made to allow two siblings to be cared for together. She is available to provide care each weekday, on a full-time basis. There is currently one child on roll and one due to commence. Both are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good; almost all aspects of children’s welfare are effectively promoted. They are valued as individuals and make good, continual progress in their learning and development because the childminder effectively uses her knowledge and skills in planning for their all round learning. Partnerships with parents and the local nursery school contribute to ensuring the care needs of all children are met, although this does not yet extend to planning for learning. The childminder strives to provide a high quality service by continuous training and by beginning to formalise her self-evaluation process in consultation with parents and children. She is successful in addressing previous recommendations and some of her own identified minor weaknesses, demonstrating a good capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for monitoring the provision of learning opportunities so that gaps in provision for children's learning can be better identified and met, particularly in relation to ICT, health and bodily awareness and writing  build on partnerships with parents and others to share information and involve them in children's continuous learning and development  further develop the policy for safeguarding children's welfare taking account of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct risk assessments for each type of outing and record checks made against the risks identified in the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's 25/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare).

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provision

The childminder strives to continually develop her provision. She consistently updates her training by attending relevant short courses and keeps herself well informed by making links with other providers. Children benefit from the improvements she makes; for example, the introduction of a daily diary system has improved information sharing with parents to provide a better continuity of care, and the formalisation of observation processes has improved the childminder's focus on planning for individual learning. Through her extensive record keeping and assessment of what children can do, she is aware that planning for children's learning is working well, although she has rightly assessed that she would benefit from improving children's opportunities to use information and communication technology (ICT) and to learn more about healthy eating.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children. Partnerships with parents ensure that the childminder has a very good awareness of each child's background and she is mindful of this when discussing cultural events so that every child feels valued. Clear communication ensures that information regarding children's unique needs and their developmental progress is routinely shared. Therefore, they receive a good continuity of care. Developing partnerships with other settings ensure that the childminder is aware of other experiences provided for children so that she can effectively plan and provide activities that complement them. Fewer opportunities are planned, however, to work with parents and others in planning for children's learning.

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provision

A wide range of well-organised records, policies and procedures are used very effectively to promote positive outcomes for children in both their care and learning. In practice, children are suitably safeguarded and the childminder has a secure awareness of the requirements, although a small number of required procedures, such as checking hazards identified in the premises risk assessment and the risk assessments of each type of outing have not been recorded. She has a sound understanding of the issues around child protection and of her role in safeguarding children's welfare, although her policy has not been produced in line with guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements, and is using the guidance well in practice. She is committed to providing children with good quality experiences in addition to her care. She understands how children learn and provides many key opportunities to provide firm foundations for learning during natural interactions. For example, children's personal and social skills are very well developed because the childminder supports the development of their confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, they are supported and encouraged to operate independently in her home. They use steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to use the toilet, wash hands completely independently and dress themselves in their uniform ready for pre-school. They make choices about play, freely accessing a broad range of toys and activities and making selections from a 'toy album'. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder carefully records her observations of what each child can do and she evaluates their development using the guidance, which also helps her plan for children's progression. For example, when she notices a child's interest in counting beyond 10 she assesses his number recognition and then plans additional opportunities for basic number recognition in play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures she provides a broad range of opportunities so that children can develop in all areas, although there are weaknesses in the coverage of some aspects to children's learning. She makes good use of the garden and local parks to provide for children's physical development, and she has a good range of resources, which are routinely used, such as small and tall slides, small trampoline and sit 'n' rides. The garden extends children's interest and learning in other areas, for example, they chalk on the paving stones and they attempt to fly the kites they have made in a craft activity. Opportunities to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the world are very good. For example, they go on nature walks and sort conkers, visit animal farms and delight in holding baby chicks, they bake cakes and celebrate a range of cultural festivals. Children develop a love of books and enjoy looking at them together, noticing and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

commenting on the illustrations. The childminder develops their love of books by making story-time a cosy, relaxed experience where she questions them effectively to extend their thinking. Children's language, as a result, is very well developed and they are confident listeners and speakers. Other areas of communication, language and literacy are not as effectively promoted and children have fewer routine opportunities in play to use writing or make marks for a purpose.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The clean, well-maintained environment is used effectively to support children's care and their learning. Children have a clear sense of belonging in the childminder’s home. Their sense of security and well-being enables them to make and respond to their own ideas. They access a range of good quality toys stored in the lounge or wander through to the kitchen where they can access crafts at the table. Children are developing positive behavioural attitudes because of the childminder’s calm and patient approach. She is positive with the children, and in turn, they behave well towards each other. She encourages children to value differences by celebrating all family traditions and languages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A healthy lifestyle is satisfactorily promoted. Children walk in the local community and benefit from daily fresh air and exercise. Healthy snacks are provided and children independently access drinks from their own cups, although mainly this is drinking cordial. Menus are varied and include fruit or vegetables daily, although processed foods, such as hot dogs, crisps and sausage rolls are routinely offered in response to children's preferences. Children are beginning learn how to stay safe because, whilst allowing children to take measured risks, the childminder discusses this with them. They routinely practise the setting’s emergency evacuation procedures. 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? 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? 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide a procedure for parental complaints which reflects the requirements of the Childcare Register (CR 7.4). 25/02/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (CR7.4). 25/02/2009 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 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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