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 EY377617 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 lives in Stockport with her husband and two children aged four and 16 months. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time under the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll aged from eight months to seven years. The childminder has a pet dog and fish.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children from a range of backgrounds are warmly welcomed and treated with equal concern; therefore, they feel valued and fully included. The childminder promotes most aspects of children's welfare with success, ensuring they are safe and secure. Children make good progress in their development because activities provided are interesting and capture their enthusiasm and imagination. Close working relationships with parents enable the childminder to have a clear understanding of each child's specific requirements and individual personalities to enable her to respond appropriately to meet their needs. Through self-evaluation, the childminder is aware of her development needs and is committed to improving procedures for outings and further parental involvement in children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 gain further information from parents about children's starting points to plan for the next steps in their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a full risk assessment for each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 13/02/2009

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provision

Children's safety is promoted as all the required checks are undertaken to ensure members of the childminder's household are suitable. Thorough risk assessments are carried out on the premises and children are at ease as they wander around freely in their environment. However, the childminder does not conduct a full risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment for each specific outing, which is a breach of a welfare requirement. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding safeguarding children and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise. Space in her home is well organised to support children's growing independence and children make choices as they select good quality toys stored at their height.

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provision

The childminder has a positive commitment towards her ongoing professional development. Since registration, she has attended training on subjects such as managing behaviour to develop her knowledge and skills. She seeks guidance and shares ideas with other childminders, to support the continuous improvement of her practice and to keep up to date with current childcare issues. The childminder is able to critically analyse her strengths and weaknesses, and clearly identify areas for further development through reflecting and effectively self-evaluating her practice.

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provision

An effective partnership with parents contributes to meeting children's needs successfully. Good quality documentation regarding the childminder's practices and procedures is shared with parents. Information about the Early Years Foundation Stage is on display and a diary system keeps parents well informed regarding their child's day and welfare, to provide consistency of care. Children's individual files with evidence of their work, photographs, and achievements are sent home weekly, and parents contribute their own comments. The childminder also actively seeks parents’ views about the service she offers through the use of a questionnaire. However, systems to involve parents in identifying their children's initial starting points, with regard to their learning and development, are not yet fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled. They form trusting relationships with the childminder, which enables them to feel totally secure in her company and home. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a range of stimulating activities across all areas of learning, which appeal to children's interests. As a result, they enjoy their play and are motivated to learn. The childminder knows the children well through undertaking weekly observations and monitors their achievements successfully by assessing their learning towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take a lively interest in everything they do and behave well. They are keen to communicate with the childminder and successfully learn sign language to express their wishes and needs. Important events in children's lives, such as birthdays, are recognised and they receive a gift from the childminder so they feel special. Children develop a sense of belonging as they view photographs of themselves, which are displayed throughout the day on the computer. As they look at pictures in books, they count the number of stars in the sky. Excitement is shown as children eagerly attempt to solve simple mathematical calculations and learn counting rhymes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop an awareness of the wider world as they take part in fun activities linked to various festivals. For example, during Chinese New Year, children decorate oriental hats and experience foods, such as lychees. Awareness

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of the local environment is developed through exciting, planned trips to places of interest, for example, the Blue Planet Aquarium. Playing in the childminder's garden provides good opportunities for children to develop their physical skills as they play on fixed equipment, such as swings. Good emphasis is placed on encouraging children's creativity. They eagerly express their ideas as they experiment with a range of materials, such as glitter and glue and paint their hands to make prints. They make cakes and become engrossed in imaginative play as they pretend to cook food at the toy cooker. Children freely select programmable toys and enjoy pressing buttons to operate the cash register.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment, where there are effective practices in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. They learn to wash their hands thoroughly with soap as part of the daily routine and remember to place their face cloths in the basket for washing after use. Children are well nourished and help themselves to a variety of fresh fruit. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate, which ensures that food preparation meets the guidelines laid out by environmental health. A good range of safety measures across the childminder's home prevent children from coming to harm. The childminder has attended fire awareness training and children develop a good understanding about how to keep themselves safe as they take part in monthly evacuation drills. 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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