Mackay, Clara

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 EY380888 Inspection date 12/03/2009 Inspector Denise Sixsmith

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 husband and two children aged six and three years in Chorley, close to shops, parks and schools. The ground and first floor of the house are available for childminding with the second floor not being used. The rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups. She holds a childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder values children and ensures that their individual needs are met very well. Comprehensive policies, procedures and information sharing systems are in place and used effectively to build positive relationships with parents. The self- evaluation process is in its early stages of development. The childminder's detailed knowledge of the children and her individual interactions with them ensures that they make good progress in their learning and development. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to ensure that sufficient information is shared with other settings who provide for the children's education and care to ensure that any activities provided are appropriate and complement the individual child’s needs  review the hand washing procedure to ensure that children can dispose of used towels appropriately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination  review systems to ensure parental consents are obtained prior to children starting at the setting

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provision

The childminder is well organised and has taken time to research information about childminding to assist her to provide a good quality service. She is committed to her self-development and has attended training to improve the quality of the service she offers to families and children. For example, awareness training in special educational needs, sign language, keeping safe and EYFS This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 courses. The childminder has started to develop a self-evaluation system to assist her in identifying areas for improvement in her service. All documentation is clear, well-organised and covers all aspects of the care provided. Required parental consents are in place; however, not all were obtained at the time of the children's admission to the setting. Well written policies and procedures are in place and followed to safeguard the children and enhance their welfare. The childminder

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provision

values all the children and talks warmly about them. She gets to know the children and their families very well to assist children to feel confident and secure in her care.

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provision

The childminder uses a variety of methods to monitor children's health and safety, such as clear risk assessments and accident and medication records. The childminder organises her home very well to ensure children have space to play and move around freely. She provides a good range of activities and outings that children enjoy and that also promote their learning and understanding. She has developed good flexible planning for the children's activities based on observations, identified next steps, children's interests and information shared with parents. All six areas of learning are covered in the planning and the resources provided for the children. However, firm systems for a shared approach with others who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children are not fully developed.

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provision

Clear information outlining the childminders approach to all aspects of care is shared with parents effectively prior to the start of the placement. For example, policies, procedures and all safeguarding guidance is shared with parents and individual signed copies filed. Daily liaison with parents takes place through verbal interaction and is well supported through a daily diary for each child. Parent's views are sought effectively through regular questionnaires.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very confident and happy in the company of the childminder, showing their affection with hugs and cuddles. The childminder ensures that children spend time in the fresh air with a choice of outdoor garden play, visits to the park and walks. Ample opportunity is provided to enable the children to develop their social skills and understanding of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses lots of praise and positive dialogue with the children, consequently, children behave well. The warm caring relationships that children develop with the childminder and her family create a stable emotional environment where children are settled and develop their confidence. For example, the childminder chats pleasantly and naturally as she changes children's nappies and the young children respond verbally with babble and gurgling while playing with a sparkly object. The childminder has a gentle approach with the very young children to which they respond with smiles and babbling especially when the childminder sings to them in both English and Spanish. Children enjoy 'squidging' shaving foam between their hands and making hand prints with paint onto the table and paper. The children are provided with challenging and interesting experiences that form the early building blocks for future life skills and their economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's good health is maintained well as they play in a very clean and homely environment. The risk of infection is minimised because the childminder encourages hand washing at appropriate times. However, children do not have ready access to a bin in the toilet area to ensure appropriate storage of used disposable towels.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's individual routine care needs, such as rest, sleep and meal times are acknowledged and met in conjunction with working in partnership with parents. Snack times are planned to ensure children are given time to enjoy their healthy food at a leisurely pace. Drinks are readily available for the children and a choice of quiet areas are available for sleep and rest periods ensuring that the children are appropriately hydrated, rested and comfortable. Children learn to stay safe because the childminder has developed an emergency escape plan and talks about being safe on the roads when they are on outings. 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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