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 308062 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Cynthia Walker

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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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children. The family live in a residential area on the outskirts of Padiham. Children have access to the lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor and the main bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder regularly attends the local toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

This childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. Currently there are four children on roll, of which three are on the Early Years Register. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Child Care Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the local childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming and caring environment where children enjoy their time and make suitable progress. Children's welfare is promoted in most areas. The childminder works with parents and carers to ensure that the needs of all children are routinely met by valuing each child as a unique individual. She has sufficient understanding of how to evaluate and improve her provision and has identified her target for the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the procedures for completing a risk assessment for outings to ensure all outings are included and are regulary reviewed  continue to develop an understanding of how observations can be used to plan to meet the individual needs of children  improve the procedures for obtaining prior written permission for medicine before any medication is given.

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provision

The childminder is maintaining most of the documentation required for the safe management of her provision and ensures the needs of the children are appropriately met. Documentation is kept in a detailed professional file and includes a range of policies and procedures which are effectively shared with parents and carers as their children begin their care. The childminder has a good understanding of the hazards to children within her home and takes effective action to minimise these risks which are regularly reviewed. Although she has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitable understanding of hazards to children on outings, the completed assessments do not reflect in detail all outings being undertaken which impacts on children's safety.

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provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to training and has attended a wide variety of courses and her identified target for the future is to complete her National Vocational Qualification at level 3. She liaises with the local authority advisor to maintain the quality of her provision and review her practice. The childminder has some understanding of her strengths and weaknesses and has responded positively to the recommendations from the last inspection, for example, making policies available to parents. She has a sound understanding of child protection issues to appropriately safeguard the children in her care.

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provision

Parents and carers receive effective information about the care the childminder provides when they are invited to visits within the home. She shares her professional file with parents and carers which includes all the relevant information about her childminding. Ongoing information about their children's progress and achievements are shared verbally on a daily basis.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the learning and development requirements and supports and encourages children to learn appropriately. Interesting observations highlight the activities and achievements for individual children supported by photographs and examples of artwork. The childminder is identifying aspects of the children's future learning, however, she lacks confidence to use this knowledge to link to future planned activities to enable them to achieve as much as they can in relation to their capabilities. There is a reasonable balance of adult and child-led activities offered for indoor and outdoor play. The organisation of resources within the home enables children to make independent choices and become active learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive relationships with the children and actively praises them for their achievements as they successfully complete a jigsaw. She encourages and reinforces language as she repeats the names of animals whilst looking at books with the children. Young children carefully stack a range of coloured cups using good hand-eye co-ordination whilst the childminder sensitively reinforces colour recognition. They demonstrate good concentration as they examine the shapes of the pieces before carefully fitting them into the jigsaw. Photographs highlight children making pizzas, constructing interesting junk models and happily finger painting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes the children's health and well-being in most areas. Although the childminder has procedures to record medication administered to children, the system for obtaining written permission from parents lacks clarity. Clear explanations from the childminder on why they should not run inside and the introduction of simple road safety on the way to school enables children to develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe. Children are able to make healthy choices about what they eat as they enjoy a daily cooked meal which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 includes a variety of vegetables and children enjoy a healthy snack of fruit. Regular outdoor opportunities encourage children to understand the benefits of physical activity, for example, visiting the local park where children use the swings or negotiate the play swing bridge. Children are confident in the environment and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

respond appropriately to the calm and consistent responses from the childminder. 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? 3 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? 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?

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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

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