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

p.1

Unique reference number EY382007 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her Mother and Father and son aged two years, in the Ribbleton area of Preston, Lancashire. The whole ground floor of the dormer bungalow is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight, of whom no more than two can be in the early year age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eleven years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder generally promotes the children's welfare with success as they play and learn in a dedicated playroom, which is both safe and secure. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the learning and development requirements and ensures children can access resources that support their learning. Relationships with parents involve the sharing of information regarding her childcare practices and the seeking of information regarding children's routines and personal details. This approach assists her in providing for each child's individual need. However, some documentation regarding the risk assessment for outings and assessing children needs is insufficient. Although she is aware of her strengths and weaknesses there is no system in place to evaluate her service and to continually assess and develop her practice.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure there is a risk assessment for each specific type of outing and ensure all risk assessments are dated, including the date for review  develop the systems to enable the monitoring of the provision in order to continue to develop the childminding practice  develop the procedures for assessing children's next steps for learning, for example, linking these to the children's age and stage of development by using the practice guidance  ensure the planning of activities has sufficient and appropriate resources to enable children to be fully involved and take part in order to keep them interested and ensure there is less adult direction to allow children the freedom to express themselves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder organises her home to be welcoming to children, providing them with their own space which gives them a sense of belonging as they know it is their playroom. Her organisation allows children to access a wide range of resources that support their learning and enjoyment and enable them to make decisions about their play. Although she has most written policies and procedures in place, the risk assessment for outings is missing. Documentation and consent forms regarding children's health and personal details are all in place and signed by parents. The childminder does not have an effective system to monitor and evaluate her childminding practice to enable the continuous development of her service to take place.

p.4

provision

The childminder has developed a good relationship with parents involving a two way flow of information. She does this by sharing her policies and procedures with them and has developed individual achievement records for each child, in order to share their child's work with them. She invites parents into the home to settle their child and provides time for daily discussions regarding what their child has done whilst with her or any other related issues. This approach enables her to identify the individual needs of the children in her care. The home is kept clean and welcoming, with the required safety features and fire equipment in place and checked.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a child orientated environment in which children see their pictures and work displayed. They make choices from the readily accessible resources and change activities as they laugh and talk about what they are doing. The children delight in playing outdoors as they play on bikes, kick the football and run around the play area talking and chattering to each other and the childminder. The childminder has a flexible routine which includes a balance of indoor and outdoor activities as they attend the playgroup in the morning and take part in more structured activities at home in the afternoon. Although the childminder mostly allows the children to lead their play, the gluing and sticking activity lacked the resources to ensure full participation by the children attending which resulted in a disruption. Some activities are led by the adult with a focus on the outcome of the activity rather than allowing the creative development of the children to be

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the individual needs of the children and although she has observations in place regarding what each child can do, these do not link clearly enough to the early learning goals within the Early Years Foundation stage framework, to enable planning to clearly identify children's next steps in their overall learning and development. The children enjoy attending the local toddler group and meeting with other childminders and their children, as a result developing their social skills.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to the children in her care and provides them with a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 balanced diet and ensures they follow appropriate health practices. They are reminded of the safety rules developing their understanding of being safe and the reason why. They access their drinks at all times and enjoy a balanced diet including, crumpets, crackers, fresh fruit and pasta. The childminder works closely with parents on children's individual dietary requirements. The childminder ensures that her home is relaxed with enough equipment to support the children's play in order to promote their overall welfare, learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptiona lly 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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration

p.8

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.

p.8