Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY265875 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Sandra Elizabeth Williams

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 has been registered since July 2003 and is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years in a semi-detached house in Morecambe, Lancashire. The childminder lives close to local toddler groups, schools, children's centres, parks, the beach and shops. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding apart from the front bedroom and the childminder's bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 group. She is currently minding two children in this age group and is also registered to offer care to older children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bay Childminding Network. She has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Education.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children are fully included in this homely and welcoming setting due to the childminder's conscientiousness and good knowledge of their individual needs and interests. The childminder works extremely hard to ensure that she promotes all of the children’s welfare and learning needs to a high standard. This means that children progress well, given their age, ability and starting points. The partnerships with parents and other settings and agencies are a particular strength in this setting, which provide children with continuity and coherence in their development and learning needs. Children are safeguarded due to the importance the childminder places on safety and security and her awareness of safeguarding procedures. However, the procedure for recording details of visitors has not, as yet, been implemented. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation process, which highlights her strengths and areas for further development and she is

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

extremely committed to continuous improvement and professional development in order to provide the best outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 introduce a system for recording the names of visitors, the purpose of their visit and details of arrival and departure times  further develop knowledge and skills regarding equality and diversity in order to provide children with a wider range of activities to help them learn about different cultures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety is of paramount importance in this setting. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures and is very committed to keeping children safe and secure whilst in her care. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents and the premises and garden are kept secure at all times. However, there is currently no system in place for keeping a record of visitors to the property. The childminder uses appropriate safety equipment, such as safety gates, fire guards and drain covers, in order to minimise hazards and avoid accidents. Written risk assessments are in place for the garden, house and each type of outing undertaken and written parental permissions are in place for all of the required situations.

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the early years provision

Partnerships between the childminder and parents are extremely well-established and strong. The childminder is very good at addressing children's individual needs and meeting the parents' specific requirements regarding the care they individually require. When children need special input, the childminder embraces this with professionalism and thoroughness. A two-way flow of information is in place. The childminder gives good information about the setting both verbally and via written policies and procedures. She also helps parents to feel involved in their children's learning by providing them with newsletters outlining what activities the children are taking part in, so that this can be continued at home if they wish. Parents are given verbal and written accounts of the children's welfare and development very regularly and by the use of daily diaries. They express their satisfaction about the excellent care provided for their children via written statements and

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the early years provision

questionnaires. Very strong links with other settings and agencies, such as key workers at nurseries and paediatricians, ensure that information about children's welfare, learning and development is shared in order to ensure children's individual needs are very well met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken a self-evaluation process, which identifies her strengths and areas for development. She is constantly seeking ways to develop her practice and strives for excellence. She has recently completed a qualification at level 3 and this has helped her to take a critical look at the service she offers. She makes good use of resources, such as training and advice from colleagues in the childminding network, in order to further develop her practice, keep up-to-date with current issues and provide the best service possible. She actively promotes equality of opportunity through her inclusive practice and policies. Positive images of different people in society are represented in children's books, toys and activities, however, the range of multicultural activities undertaken is currently limited.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled at this setting and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and their friends. The children are making good progress in their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development and learning as the childminder provides a very stimulating learning environment in a homely and safe setting. They are offered a wonderful variety of activities, both adult-led and child-initiated, indoors and outside. All of the play equipment is well organised and easily accessible so that children can move about easily and make choices, thus developing their independence. The play area is bright and airy and has easy access to the extremely well equipped outdoor play area. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the six areas of learning and development to plan various activities suitable for all of the children who attend. She has a very good knowledge of children's individual abilities and interests by

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and outcomes for children

using information from parents and by listening to the children. The childminder keeps good records of each children's progress through written observations, photographs and samples of children's work. She uses this information effectively to track children's developmental progress and to plan their next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have wonderful opportunities to adopt healthy lifestyles as the childminder encourages daily outdoor play and fresh air and the children squeal with delight in anticipation of going outside to play. The well-equipped garden provides children with opportunities to develop their physical skills, such as pedalling their bikes, kicking and catching balls, and playing on small see-saws and slides. The children enjoy opportunities to go for walks along the beach to collect pebbles and shells to use in creative activities. They enjoy trips to the park to feed the ducks. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and adopt good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

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and outcomes for children

The children develop their creativity as they undertake craft activities. For example, they enjoy looking at books with pictures of spiders in them, then become engrossed in creating their own spiders using various materials, such as paper plates, small beads, wool and pipe cleaners. They demonstrate good levels of concentration, patience and fine motor skills as they use the glue to stick the small beads onto the paper plates. The childminder skilfully extends the children's learning by talking to the children and asking them challenging questions. For example, the children count up to eight legs on the spider and they make decisions about whether the spider will have a happy face or a sad face. They develop their imaginations as they become engrossed in imaginative role play. For example, the children spontaneously decide to use a plastic box as a train. The childminder responds effectively by asking questions, such as where they are going and who is

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children to develop skills in numeracy, literacy and information technology, which contribute to their economic well-being and development of their future skills. The children are making good progress in their literacy skills as they enjoy sitting with the childminder to look at interesting books, such as musical and pop-up books, which have been carefully chosen to encourage their interest. They learn to count in everyday situations, such as counting objects in the books. Children are assisted to develop skills in information technology as they play with age-appropriate equipment, such as children's computers and remote control toys. They begin to show responsibility for their environment as they take part in recycling, for example, they use various household items to create models. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children feel safe at the setting due to the childminder's reassuring approach. They

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and outcomes for children

enjoy warm and relaxed relationships with the childminder who gently supports and encourages them to build their confidence and learn through play. She shows a great interest and listens carefully to the children's requests and worries. She is very skilful in including all of the children, by making sure they receive equal amounts of her attention. She offers a great deal of praise and encouragement and helps the children to be considerate to one another by sharing and taking turns in their play. They learn to stay safe as the childminder teaches them to use the stairs safely and to handle small objects, such as beads, carefully because she cares very much for the children she looks after. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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