Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 25 Mar 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 308274 Inspection date 25/03/2009 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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and adult daughter. The home is located in a suburb of Preston in Lancashire. Local shops, play areas and a school are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. Upstairs toilet facilities are provided as well as two bedrooms, one for children to sleep in, and the other to access the computer. There is an enclosed garden area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group, all on a part time basis. There are also three children aged over five years to 11 years who attend. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). Training and support is gained from the local authority Sure Start development consultancy.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Inclusive practice is embedded in the overall ethos and the policies of the setting for all children and their families. 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. A willingness to acquire further knowledge of child development is testimony to continuous improvement, supported by emerging self-evaluation. Partnerships with parents and others are established so that every child's needs are met very well. Children's safety is a priority and features strongly in the childminder's everyday practice, ensuring that children are well protected.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop robust observation and assessment processes for every child so that planning can be effective and children are helped to make as much progress as they can toward achieving the early learning goals.

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provision

The comprehensive policies and procedures in place enhance the welfare and safety of all children. The childminder is developing her knowledge of child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development so she can provide good quality care and learning for all children. The childminder uses self-assessment as a tool for improvement, so that outcomes for children are promoted and are as good as they can be. Children's welfare and learning requirements are embedded in this process effectively. Knowledge gained from recent training is being used to inform the evolving assessment tools, so that each child's progress can be monitored and the next steps in their learning can be planned for more effectively. The recommendation made at the last inspection was completed in a timely way, by adding a smoke detection device upstairs, to improve safety within the premises.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and others are effective in ensuring that children's welfare and learning needs can be fully met. The childminder encourages new parents to share information about their child during the settling in period, so that she is fully informed about each child's individual routines, likes and dislikes and any special requirements. Daily diaries are kept to record information about each child's day. The childminder encourages parents to write in this record so she can respond appropriately to children's changing needs and interests. The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She has updated her awareness through recent training and shares her responsibilities with parents through her clearly written safeguarding policy. Because she feels confident in implementing her procedures, children's ongoing safety and well-being is promoted well. Children are always fully supervised in their play, both in the home and when

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provision

being taken out to groups or to the park. Children are encouraged to learn about developing safe levels of independence and how to stay safe. They talk about and practice road safety strategies, for example, when walking to school or the park, and become familiar with the sound of the smoke alarm as they learn about what to do in the event of a fire.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well in their play. They are encouraged to learn how to share and to play with one another harmoniously, when undertaking activities together in the home or when attending toddler groups, so enabling their growing social skills to be fostered. Children enjoy games and activities that they can access easily, from low-level storage and small indoor equipment in the home, like the role-play resources. This gives children the opportunity to make choices for themselves, to become independent, and to contribute, for example, at tidy up times. Children are given plenty of opportunities to develop self-help skills, for example, at meal times and when they start to use the toilet.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop their communication skills, which are constantly reinforced by the childminder, as she talks and explains things during activities and free play. Babies are encouraged to join in as she talks to them about what she is doing and gives children time to prepare for routine changes, like snack time or school pick up times. Babies start to develop their problem solving skills as they concentrate on selecting the toy they want from the selection set out for them on the floor. Children's all-round development is fostered well, because they have opportunities to experience a range of different learning environments. Because the childminder introduces children to activities like This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 planting runner beans, they learn about the natural world around them and are encouraged to taste the homegrown produce they have helped to grow. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder is planning to grow potatoes next with the children allowing them to learn where their food comes form and how to care for living things. Healthy eating activities are also introduced to encourage children to make healthy choices in the food they eat. Children are becoming aware of the wider world through 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 local community groups. They enjoy regular visits to the toddler group and to indoor physical activity centres offering large soft-play facilities. Children can run and climb when they go to the park and enjoy playing hide and seek with the childminder. Children join in singing 'The Wheels on the Bus' with the childminder and they use homemade games as they match different coloured shapes or identify the senses from the pictures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children use their imaginations when playing with role-play resources. They push the dolls in the pram and pretend to make cups of tea and meals with the play food. Craft activities abound in this home setting. Children use paint and play dough regularly thereby helping their finer coordination skills to develop as they use different tools. Babies are encouraged to move their bodies and they receive lots of praise and encouragements when crawling on the floor to reach a toy. Children of all ages are provided with experiences and support, which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others. 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. The use of the sad/happy doll helps children to identify and acknowledge their own and other people's feelings. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. These early learning skills all contribute to children's future economic well-being effectively. Formal assessment of children is in the early stages of implementation, therefore, observation and assessment processes are not fully developed. 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 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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