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 EY378093 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Frank William Kelly

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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 with her partner and two children aged 10 and six years in the Burscough area of West Lancashire. The home is accessed via a porch and there is a step at the front door of the home. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms and the bathroom on the upper floor are used for minding children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

She is currently providing care for 12 children. Of these, nine are in the early years age group. She takes and collects children from a local school and playgroup. Weekly routines include regular attendance at craft groups and visits to the library and other local places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a National Nursery Examination Board childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) extremely well. Her home is a welcoming, child centred environment in which children receive safe and stimulating care. Parental partnerships are well established due to the wealth of good information which is shared verbally and in writing. This sharing of information underpins the promotion of an inclusive environment, which meets and reflects the differing individual needs of each child. Partnerships with other providers, such as schools and playgroups, have begun to be established. Self- evaluation is realistic and areas for future improvements have been well chosen. Regulatory documentation is in place and is maintained efficiently, and complimented by policies, procedures and displays, thus promoting the safe organisation and care for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems used for sharing information with other settings and parents, to ensure that the experiences meet the needs of the child at that time of the day and that the play and learning received by children is varied and complimentary to that experienced elsewhere  consider ways to extend the the planned activities to be even more cross curricular, for example, opportunities for childern to regularly mark make for a purpose  ensure that formal risk assesments are in place for every outing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children’s welfare is successfully promoted. Formal risk assessments are in place and complimented by daily check list being completed before the children arrive. A general outings procedure is in place, along with some particularly well researched assessments for specific trips, such as visiting a farm activity centre. However, those for regular trips to groups held in public premises, for example, the children’s centre and local library, have not yet been formalised.

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provision

On a daily basis, the childminder is well organised and her home actively promotes the care and learning for children of all ages. Children’s development is promoted through the plentiful range of good quality, well maintained equipment. Thought is given to the organisation of resources in relation to younger children’s access, helping to further minimise risks. She keeps rigorous regulatory records and uses a simple but effective attendance matrix to ensure that she knows who she is caring for. Thus, maintaining correct ratios at all times and helping organisation of resources to meet the differing children’s needs and routines.

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provision

Self-evaluation is secure and well thought out. The childminder undertakes regular vocational training to keep her up-to-date with changes to legislation. Consequently, she has an accurate understanding of the EYFS and previous and future improvements have been well chosen. For example, the childminder recognised that by removing seating from the smaller play area, the children were afforded greater access to a wider variety of toys and more space to spread out and enjoy their play. Areas for future improvement include updating safeguarding children training and organising regular opportunities for parents to discuss their children’s assessment and learning journey records.

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provision

The childminder places a great emphasis on partnerships with parents. A wealth of information is displayed on the kitchen wall, including written policies, activity plans, menus, training certificates and photographs. This information is regularly updated and helps parents understand why and how the service is operated. A daily diary provides an excellent two-way flow of information for both parties and keeps the childminder up-to-date with rapid developmental changes of the younger children. This means the childminder is extremely well informed about the individual children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of how children learn is reflected in the way she successfully uses daily routines and spontaneous discussions to consolidate and extend their learning. Good explanations are provided to help children understand why they need to wash their hands before eating or why it is important to wipe up the spilt gloop. Each day the childminder provides a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities in order to promote the learning and enjoyment for children of all ages. Weekly planning systems are securely linked to ensure activities cover all six areas of learning and provide appropriate challenges to enable children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Systems for observation are progressing well, with the childminder using this information to plan specific activities to extend the children’s next steps of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning. However, there are some gaps in this planning. Whilst information is sought from other settings that the children attend, the childminder does not currently gain sufficient information to ensure that the activities provided are not repeating what the child has already experienced that day. She has also not fully considered how she could further exploit the activities she plans, to promote a more cross curricular experience. For example, baking activities are planned to provide the development of children’s mathematical and physical development. These activities could be further extended to include opportunities for children to mark make and look and talk about the purpose of books and print.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their play experiences with much enthusiasm. They gleefully provide a running commentary about what is taking place as they add water and colouring to the cornflour. Story time is enhanced through the use of attractive home made props. For example, the children enjoy acting out the ‘Billy Goats Gruff’ as they 'trip trap' the card puppets across the bridge. The childminder reinforces children’s understanding and use of mathematical language as they talk about the goats being under, over, small, medium and large. Sand, water and tactile experiences are freely available and children eagerly and frequently participate in dressing up. Older children become several characters throughout the morning. Babies and toddlers are fully included and giggle as they wear the bunny ears.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are eager communicators within the home. This is because the childminder actively encourages children to talk about what they think and like. She asks many open ended questions, for instance, whilst looking at the books, she asks the children which form of transport they would like to travel in. A child responds that they would like to go in the hot air balloon and she encourages them to explain why. The childminder constantly responds to the younger children’s squeals and babble. She uses positive expressive body language and enthusiastically acknowledges the children’s communication. Thus helping children to feel valued and boosting their confidence to keep practising their developing speech. The regular singing of action songs, such as ‘prickly hedgehog’ and ‘the wheels on the bus’ are joined in with gusto by children of all ages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is a positive role model to children as she provides clear explanations and safe boundaries. As a result, children are well behaved, polite and they show an increasing understanding of the needs of others, with regards to sharing and taking turns. They engage in regular opportunities to share tools, explore creative materials and be physically active. This well rounded, exploratory environment and curriculum is encouraging children to develop their independence and to explore and be active learners, which in turn underpins their future disposition towards learning and contributing to their future life skills and economic well-being. 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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