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 EY153195 Inspection date 27/07/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and family aged 17, nine and eight years, in Heysham, near Morecambe, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The 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. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder is also registered to care for older children. She either works alone or jointly working with an assistant. When working together they are registered to care for a maximum of six children in the early years age range or aged under eight years. The childminder provides care from 08.00 to 17.30, Monday to Friday throughout the year. The childminder has use of a car to transport children on outings. She attends local carer and toddler groups and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats, three rabbits and a dog, which minded children may have access to.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds an early years qualification and is an accredited member of the Bay Childminding Network providing nursery education for funded children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the Childcare Register and Voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are well cared for in a relaxed, child-friendly, safe and secure environment. They make steady progress in their early learning and development. They benefit from the individual attention they receive from this well qualified and experienced childminder, who is highly motivated to continually develop her own knowledge and understanding to improve her practice which positively affects the outcomes for children in her care. Children are provided with a suitable balance of adult and child initiated activities and they independently access a selection of resources and play opportunities which are age appropriate and follow their interest. Relationships are fostered with parents and children alike. The childminder has made a positive start with her self- evaluation process, including observation, assessment and developmental record keeping documents which are emerging documents. Policies and procedures, and

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

most records are in line with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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further?

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

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further?

 consider the arrival and departure procedures for adults visiting or working in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the setting and the first aid requirement to safeguard and promote the welfare of children  continue to develop systems to ensure; a balance of resources is available that support all the areas of learning; the gathering of children's developmental starting points to inform observation, assessment and planning for the next steps in their learning  continue to develop self-evaluation systems to reflect on practice and involve parents, carers and children in the monitoring and evaluation process and encourage parental involvement in children's learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking on each specific outing (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 26/10/2009

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provision

The childminder has a number of years experience in looking after children. She holds an early years qualification and is a member of the local childminding network. She is a highly motivated practitioner who attends numerous core subject training sessions and additional training courses to keep up-to-date with the latest changes in childcare and early education. She uses this new knowledge and understanding to help improve her practice and this has a positive effect on the outcomes for children in her care. She provides a flexible service to meet the individual needs of parents, carers and children. The childminder knows each child's unique attributes and provides activities to suit their individual needs, therefore, children make steady progress in their learning and development. Record keeping documentation is well organised and kept in a confidential format. A set of written policies and procedures are available which are effectively

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provision

implemented in everyday practice. However, a record of visitors and her assistants' attendance is not maintained and her assistant does not hold a current first aid certificate.

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provision

The childminder has made a start to the self-evaluation process. She understands the importance of regularly reviewing her practice and monitoring the childcare provision to improve the outcomes for children. Several cards and a letter from a previous childminding arrangement thank the childminder for the 'fantastic care' and service she provided for them and their children. The childminder has completed previous recommendations made at her last inspection and she regularly meets with the network coordinator to monitor her provision for funded nursery education.

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provision

Children are safeguarded and protected. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child’s welfare and is secure in her knowledge of child protection by regularly updating her safeguarding training every three years. Children are kept safe and secure in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the family home through daily safety checks and detailed risk assessments which are available for indoors and the garden area. However, risk assessments are not completed for outings undertaken by the children. This is a specific legal requirement and an action has been raised. The childminder has a fire evacuation procedure which she practices on a regular basis and smoke alarms are electronically installed. Records are clearly maintained to ensure children are collected by named persons and suitable safety equipment is installed to ensure

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provision

children’s safety throughout the premises.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have fun as they play in this warm, welcoming, relaxed child-friendly environment. They are happy individuals who settle into the daily routine and confidently explore the familiar surroundings with their friends. Children are well supported by the childminder as they play. She skilfully challenges and extends their learning and development by using open ended questioning that encourage children to think about what they are doing. A balance of adult-led and child initiated activities are provided. Story building games enable children to learn new vocabulary to expand their language and communication skills and help develop social skills such as patience, taking turns and respecting each others comments. Children enjoy looking at books cuddling into their 'special carer'. They join the 'summer reading challenge' associated with the local library where they collect a bag of chosen books each week. Children enjoy creative activities such as junk

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

model making. Learning opportunities develop spontaneously in routines and activities. For example, at snack time the honey poured on waffles promotes discussion about where it comes from. Children learn about caring for living things as they set free a colourful moth outside. They enjoy visits to a number of community groups and benefit from getting plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk back and forth to school and visit the local park and playgrounds close by.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s individual needs are met. Information is gathered from parents about children’s health and care needs, routines and individual interests and preferences. Information linked to children‘s development and learning already achieved is discussed although not recorded. The childminder completes daily diaries which record children's care, routine and the activities they have undertaken with her. It is used to pass on information to parents, however, there are limited entries from parents in these diaries to record what their child does at home and nothing available to show how parents are encouraged to help with their child’s learning at home. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation stage and establishes links to the areas of learning using the photographic evidence contained in each child’s book. The childminder has made a start in observing children and making assessments of their development. However, there

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

is no evidence of planning to show how the areas of learning are covered through the provision of resources in children’s free play activities and how the identification of the next steps in children’s development is used to inform future planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to understand about healthy living and suitable hygiene practices. They enjoy meal times sitting together at the kitchen table where they eat their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 snack consisting of a range of fresh fruit pieces, hot waffles, and honey. Children’s health and well being is discussed with parents so that they provide healthy options in packed lunch boxes and to ensure all dietary needs are met. Children access fresh drinking water throughout the day which are accessible to them at all times. Children learn appropriate hygiene practices following the good role model set by the childminder. They begin to understand the importance of wiping hands after attending to their toileting needs and before eating. Children eagerly point out their own coloured flannel and confidently explain why they wash their hands. Children are very well behaved. They form close friendships with each other and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoy each others company. The childminder uses positive methods to encourage good behaviour using lots of praise and encouragement. Children tidy away toys before getting an alternative toy out which helps them learn about how to look after things and think of others safety as they play. They learn about road safety and stranger danger when out walking and when visiting the local parks. 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

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