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 307810 Inspection date 20/03/2009 Inspector Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson

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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 with Ofsted since October 2001 and has overall responsibility for the childminding practice, whilst her husband and co- childminder works in a supportive role. They reside together, in the rural town of Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

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Description of the childminding

She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under 8 years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When minding with her co-childminder she may care for no more than 6 children under 8 years; of these, not more than 6 may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than 2 may be under 1 at any one time. There are eleven children on roll, ages ranging from 10 months to 9 years, all attending a variety of sessions. Minded children have access to the lounge, rear yard and bathroom on the first floor.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Aspects of the children's welfare are not met in relation to risk assessment procedures and maintaining an appropriate paediatric first aid certificate, both specific legal requirements. The childminder and her co-childminder have a well developed knowledge of each child’s individual needs which promotes children’s learning with success. The partnership with parents and other agencies is a key strength and contributes significantly to ensuring that most needs of all children are met and they get any additional support they need. Self-evaluation by the childminder in consultation with her co-childminder continues to develop with priorities for future development being identified, although some have not been acted on promptly.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 19/06/2009 (W1.2 Promoting good health) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 19/06/2009  carry out a full risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. A risk assessment must be carried out for each specific outing with the children (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both 17/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parts of the Childcare Register) To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the current systems of assessments to clearly identify when children have reached particular stages of the early learning goals.  ensure that records in relation to complaints, health and safeguarding are in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has systems in place to monitor the care and learning she and her co-childminder provide for children is sufficient. Self-evaluation of the service involves the views of her co-childminder, parents, children and other agencies in the process. Daily discussion with the co-childminder focuses on the children's learning styles, response to activities and how they can build on their skills and interests. Therefore, children enjoy learning and are making good progress in line with the early learning goals. The childminder has responded well to a recommendation raised at the last inspection in relation to obtaining written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical attention which safeguards children in cases of accidents. A further recommendation of having the certificate of first aid available for inspection has been completed but expired six months ago. This impacts significantly on the children's safety. The childminder identifies this as

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provision

an area of improvement. However, at the time of the inspection, a future date for training had not been secured.

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provision

A child-orientated environment awaits the children. It is clean, warm, welcoming and creatively organised to help children develop their independence in managing their own personal needs. They make their own choices of activities from a wide selection of resources, both indoors and outdoors, that meet the varied age groups of children being cared for. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate records and most of the required documentation is in place and informs parents of the care and learning received at this setting. However, risks within the home and on outings are not formally reviewed in relation to hazards to children and procedures in relation to complaints, sick child and safeguarding need updating in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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provision

The childminder and her co-childminder take joint responsibility for working closely and cooperatively with parents which has been established over the last 27 years of childminding. These effective partnerships and those of other professionals are evident. For example, there is an abundance of thank-you cards, testimonies and letters from other professionals commenting on the positive experience children receive whilst attending this setting. Educational settings compliment the childminder and her co-childminder on their positive impact on children's learning. During the visit parents comment on how happy they are with the service and how well informed they are on their child's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This childminder recognises how play underpins development and learning for all children. She incorporates this into her planning for indoor and outdoor activities which covers all six areas of learning and enables children to reach their full potential. She has a good knowledge of the learning and development aspects of the EYFS and most of the welfare requirements. Comprehensive observations and individual pieces of artwork completed by the children are evidence of the good progress they are making in all areas of learning and provide a basis for the formative assessments she carries out on each child. These begin at induction and develop in partnership with parents and other professionals that identify with future learning needs. However, the absence of dates on some observations do not clearly identify when children have met with particular stages of the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is skilled at planning a broad range of stimulating and challenging activities based on children’s interests and their stages of development. In particular, she makes good use of her rural dwelling and surrounding countryside to provide children with opportunities to explore their natural environment on a daily basis. They observe wildlife, wallabies, ducks and plants. Journeys through the local graveyard provoke discussion on life cycles and the history of local families. The children show their respect for others as they share their understanding of appropriate behaviour on these visits using quiet voices. The childminder’s enthusiasm and motivation influences the children's positive attitudes to learning. They cannot wait to take off their coats, greet their peers and get engrossed in the activities that await them each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home promotes a relaxed conducive learning environment that is child- orientated in relation to the child-sized furniture and equipment. The majority of activities are child-led and they are thoroughly engrossed in imaginary play which is supported by the appropriate interaction from the childminder. She develops learning experiences with open-ended questions and introduction of authentic props. For example, mobile phones, drinking cups and home-made cakes by the children as they carry out a role play of a visit to the café. Children continue to demonstrate their creative side as they use available resources to create their own props. For example, they use a storage box as a microwave and their T-shirt to hold the kettle and prevent their hands from getting burnt. The childminder uses these opportunities to talk about safety around using and oven and healthy eating. She has a good knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu of home-cooked

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

food for the children, which is both healthy and appetising. Children have a good appreciation of keeping themselves clean and healthy. They recognise that fruit is good for them and discuss over snack time that sweets and cakes are good, but are for special treats and recognise that too many may damage their teeth. They are beginning to manage their own safety as they recognise taking care when climbing the trees, crossing the road safely and taking care when walking the canal bank.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Effective relationships between the children, childminder and co-childminder are evident. They are very well behaved and respond well to praise and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouragement. They are caring to each other as they ask 'can the baby have this toy?' They are independent but also have the close contact and reassurance of the childminder when required. They snuggle into her arms and sit on her lap while she reads 'learn with me'. They rhyme off their colours, numbers and experiment with sounds and words. For example, 'that’s the same, that is bigger, 's' is for strawberry'. Other children play with small world characters and accessories that provoke discussion on diversity and difference which also extends through books and celebration of festivals. Their economic well-being is being developed both at this setting and supplemented at others which are recorded as part of the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children's assessments. For example, children have access to a computer at the local nursery. 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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (W5) 17/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (W1.2) 19/06/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (W1.2) 19/06/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (W5) 17/04/2009 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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