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 307593 Inspection date 23/07/2009 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 1993. She lives with her adult son in the village of Kelbrook, near Barnoldswick. The childminder is within walking distance of the local park, toddler group and shops. The areas used for childminding are the lounge/dining room and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently there are four children on roll; of these, three are within the early years age group. The childminder visits the local toddler groups regularly.

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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 in which children's welfare is promoted in most areas. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and make satisfactory progress in their learning. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of individual children's backgrounds and needs and values each child as a unique individual. She is sufficiently aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and has improved outcomes for children by responding positively to previous actions.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the methods for identifying the children's future learning within observations and develop an understanding of how this information can be used to plan to meet the individual children's needs  review the policy on safeguarding children to include procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (Safeguarding and welfare) 20/08/2009  ensure written parental permission is requested to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.(Safeguarding and welfare) 06/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is maintaining most of the documentation required for the safe management of her provision to ensure the needs of the children are sufficiently met. This includes a range of policies and procedures, which have recently been reviewed; however, these do not include a written statement for parents that provides details of the procedures to follow if they have a complaint, which will maintain the safety and welfare of children. Appropriate risk assessments ensure effective actions are taken to manage and eliminate risks to children within the home and on outings.

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provision

The childminder has some understanding of her strengths and weaknesses and has addressed all the actions from the last inspection, for example, attending a relevant first aid course. She has liaised with the local authority advisor to review her practice and has attended training on multi-cultural awareness to improve the quality of care for children. The childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection issues to enable her to sufficiently safeguard the children in her care; however, the written policy does not include procedures to follow if there are allegations against the childminder.

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provision

Parents and carers are provided with satisfactory information about the care the childminder provides through a pack, which includes her policies and procedures. The childminder encourages parents and carers to share information about their children when they begin their care to establish the children's individual needs. Parents are sufficiently informed about their children's day through verbal communication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has sufficient knowledge of the learning and development requirements and supports and encourages children to learn appropriately. Basic observations are being completed and include photographs, which highlight the activities children have been involved in. The childminder has a reasonable awareness of the capabilities of the individual children; however, she lacks confidence to use this knowledge and information to identify children's future learning within the observations. The childminder explains that children are having difficulty with colour recognition and younger children are developing their language skills. Therefore, she is introducing activities to reinforce and challenge these areas of learning, for example, through books and stories. There is a sufficient balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities offered for indoor and outdoor play. The organisation of resources within the home enables children to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

make independent choices about their play and learning and become active learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed warm and positive relationships with the children. She actively interacts with the children and effectively promotes their communication skills through active discussion whilst reading a good range of books. Children enjoy looking at books, listen with concentration to short stories This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and contribute to the narrative as they question and ask for explanations about characters in the story. A recent planned outing to a local town using both the bus and train encourages the children to use language as they confidently explain about their journey and their visit to a pet shop, whilst younger children excitedly explain that 'the parrot jumped up'. Children have used their imagination to complete a sticky picture of a train, which is displayed within the childminder's kitchen. Younger children maintain sustained interest in the train track and use

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

developing hand-eye co-ordination to successfully fix the track together and older children introduce a simple bridge using small bricks for the train to go over.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder appropriately promotes the children's health and well-being in most areas. Although there are suitable systems in place to record accidents to children, permission for emergency medical help or treatment is not in place, which impacts on children's welfare. Children are developing an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe as they follow simple road safety procedures whilst on outings. Regular outdoor opportunities, such as, playing in the garden or going for walks and visits to toddler groups, where children access large equipment, encourage children to develop an understanding of physical activity. Children are confident in their environment and behave well and react appropriately to the calm and consistent responses from the childminder. They are encouraged to share resources and take turns at activities and older children show concern for younger children as they find their dummies and give them resources.

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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

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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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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: 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 (CR7.1) 20/08/2009

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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(CR7.1) 20/08/2009

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