Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 22 Apr 2009

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 EY330441 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Andrea, Marie Paulson

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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 lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years in Carnforth, Lancashire. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet gerbil. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children who attend for various sessions. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She has been registered since March 2006, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a qualified teacher with several years experience.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding as children are cared for and learn in a challenging and stimulating environment. She is qualified, experienced and skilful in promoting individual progress to an exemplary standard through excellent organisation and expertise. The links with parents, nursery and school are particularly effective and strong partnerships ensure a very high level of continuity of care and learning, so meeting children's individual needs. The childminder has put a great deal of thought into an honest evaluation of her provision, which identifies her strengths and areas she wishes to further develop.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 update complaints procedure to inform parents that they can access a written record

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provision

The childminder keeps children safe and well through the excellent organisation of the provision. She provides stimulating and challenging activities which take into account children's individual abilities, skilfully devising imaginative resources to further extend their learning. Children are happy, relaxed, confident and settled and show a high level of interest and concentration. The childminder thoroughly and objectively evaluates her provision. She has put much time and effort into developing her strengths and identifying areas she wishes to further improve on the already exceptional standards. The childminder has considerable expertise and experience and remains conscientious in keeping updated and improving skills through training courses and local meetings.

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provision

The childminder's training and experience have given her a high level of awareness This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and understanding of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. She has produced comprehensive risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards while implementing effective practices, for instance, on outings. She regularly practises the emergency evacuation with children so that they become aware of how to keep themselves safe.

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provision

The childminder has particularly strong links with parents and other professionals involved with the children. Parents are involved in the evaluation of the provision, for instance, through questionnaires, and comment on the superb care. Her close contact with other provisions results in the continuation of children's learning by building on their experiences and working together to promote individual skills and development. Parents are kept particularly well informed through informal conversation, children's own work and individual diaries which include photographs and descriptions of children's experiences, enjoyment and achievements, which are valued by the parents.

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provision

Policies and procedures are thorough and include additional information over and above that which is required. They are shared and agreed with parents and give comprehensive information, with the minor exception of the complaints policy not being fully updated. Parental agreements and consents are in place to further enhance individual care. Children's information is stored securely to maintain confidentiality which also helps to build trusting relationships.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make wonderful progress in their development while enjoying the warm, friendly and exceptionally stimulating and enabling environment provided by the highly motivated childminder. She has thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is skilful in creating terrific learning experiences linked to the areas of learning and adapted to individual interests and abilities. Individual diaries illustrate their progress through effective observations, photographs and their own work. She uses this information to plan for the next steps in their learning. Her professional approach to planning ensures that children experience a consistent balance of activities across all the learning areas to support their overall development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They enjoy homemade, exciting activities designed to stimulate their sensory development. Children explore the 'feely box' with 'hard and soft' and 'cold and squidgy' textures, through holes cut out in different shapes. They have fun making noises with pots, pans, whisks and spoons and reinforce their learning through repetition. The childminder is skilful in adapting valuable experiences to different ages, such as when a toddler was enjoying water play with a bowl on the floor using a variety of tools and exploring the bubbles. The childminder makes the most of spontaneous learning as they play, talking about 'big' bubbles and repeating the 'b' sound.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Continuity of learning helps to reinforce children's development. The childminder develops the China topic from nursery as the children experience dressing up in 'silky' clothes, try to use chopsticks while eating rice and listen to Chinese music. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 In this way, children are also actively encouraged to become aware of other countries through fun, related activities. Imaginative resources devised by the childminder stimulate children's interest as they match the symbol to the number of frogs on a number chart and recognise the 's' sound to match the snake picture.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and relaxed in their interaction with the childminder, who encourages communication through much conversation so that children learn to express their feelings and ideas, which the childminder is quick to pick up on. She immediately knew the sound a toddler was trying to make and was alert in her response, for instance, by singing the 'row your boat' song. Children are encouraged to enjoy stories and books to stimulate their interest in reading, with the expressive storytelling of the childminder maintaining their involvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder maintains a high level of health and safety procedures to promote the children's well-being. They enjoy frequent outdoor play and exercise as they walk to local amenities, such as visiting the library. Children are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, sometimes home-grown, being able to choose from a chart illustrating the choice of healthy foods. They settle well to have nutritious snacks, so learning good eating habits and manners. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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