O'Brien, Louise

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 EY224536 Inspection date 21/10/2008 Inspector Margaret Baines

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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 has been registered for six years. The childminder lives with her husband and two children, in a detached home in the Fulwood area of Preston, which is convenient for the motorway network, schools and open play spaces.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, which includes the hall, the lounge, the dining room, kitchen and utility area. A downstairs toilet is provided. Minded children do not access the upstairs level. Children also enjoy an enclosed outdoor play area, which has one piece of fixed play equipment. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently, there are nine children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority. The family have no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective in promoting care and learning for the children she cares for. There are extremely effective systems in place for monitoring, assessing and planning for children's individual needs. Therefore, she provides exemplary provision for children. Children's learning and development is planned in great depth and is tracked effectively, to ensure that children access all areas of learning, in a fun and developmentally appropriate manner. The setting allows children most effective opportunities for physical development and emotional well- being. The partnership with parents is outstanding, as is the liaison with other groups who care for the children. Her ability to self assess is highly effective, leading to action plans for future development, to further enhance her exceptionally effective practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the outdoor area to further promote children's learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has exceptionally detailed and informed policies and procedures, which have been reviewed to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. These promote a robust attitude to children's safety and welfare and a highly efficient approach, by the childminder to the management of the children's individual care and needs. The childminder is extremely organised and knowledgeable in her approach to children's development. She ensures they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 an excellent range of opportunities in all the six areas of learning. The routines are flexible, so they reflect the children's ongoing interests and ideas. The childminder is very committed to her own self development through regular training.

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provision

The sharing of information with parents and carers is encouraged as a two way process. This keeps them informed on how their children are progressing in all areas of their development. For example, daily diaries reflect each child's day, whilst records of achievement reflect and track the child's progress in each area of learning. The childminder has taken positive steps to link with other providers where the children attend. This pro-active approach is effective in enhancing and supporting children's needs and promotes continuity. The childminders self- evaluation is detailed in all areas and clearly identifies both her strengths and weaknesses and demonstrates her understanding of reflective practice. She clearly links this to her capacity to maintain continuous improvement, when evaluating the effectiveness of any action taken. She involves parents and children in her evaluations, through questionnaires and discussions. Consequently, she strives

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provision

continually to improve and enhance her provision, for the benefit of the children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children experience a learning environment and educational programme that is exemplary, because the childminder plans for each child, with their individual needs clearly identified. Consequently, children make exceptional progress in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit enormously from the excellent range, balance and variety of activities, which fully promotes children's learning. The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development. It gives them the confidence to explore and learn in secure and safe, yet challenging indoor and outdoor space and provision. Children use the lounge, the dining room and the kitchen, which are set up for their needs. The setting provides very good access, selection and choices for all the children, which includes a lovely selection of natural resources. There are very good opportunities for the children to be active learners, through their contact with other children and people. For example, they enjoy visits to local groups, visits to the library and the park. Children have extremely good opportunities through their play to use their ideas and suggestions. They access very good resources,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

which enables them to make connections and develop these effectively, such as designing and making models.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are exceptionally well provided with experiences and support, which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others, respect for others, social skills and a positive disposition to learn, because the childminder ensures her planning for care and learning, enables children to flourish in her care. The childminder offers the most effective support for children’s emotional well-being, to help them to know themselves and what they can do. Lovely relationships are nurtured and the children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in a caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has fully embraced the importance of children having visual images around them, to support their recognition of written word and context. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have ongoing opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills, which are seen as important. For example, the childminder always waits for children to finish what they want to say and responds positively to them. She also ensures that very young children are listened to and acknowledges their responses to a variety of situations. Older children in her care feel confident to discuss and share with her aspects of their day and suggest ideas for after school activities. This exceptionally positive relationship ensures children thrive in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children use a wide variety of resources for expressing their understanding, including mark making, creative, modelling, books, story telling and music. Children have exceptionally good opportunities to fix and make things, which supports their problem solving skills well. Children have resources to measure with, to weigh ingredients to bake with. For example, they have made play dough and enjoy making models with the dough. There are games that promote recognition of numbers, to match and sequence and games that promotes children's thinking skills, for example construction games and resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a most secure and safe environment for the children in her care. She uses a risk assessment to monitor safety. She has attended a food hygiene course and child protection training. All equipment, resources and toys are checked and maintained, to ensure their ongoing quality and purpose. Extremely healthy meals and snacks are provided, as well as drinks through the day and these promote healthy choices for the children, which is shared with parents. Consequently, children learn about healthy foods and the care of their bodies. Daily access to the outdoors and fresh air, fully promotes the children's health and well- being, although the outdoors at present is highlighted as an area for future development. Children have access to a very good range of equipment, both large and small, which supports and extends their physical skills very well. Children visit the local area and places of interest and they have access to positive information

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and resources, that reflects the wider world for 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Outstanding The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding

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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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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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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