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 307883 Inspection date 23/07/2009 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 daughters in a semi-detached property in Leyland, Preston.

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Description of the childminding

The lounge, kitchen/dining room and conservatory on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. Access is gained to the property at the front of the house on the ground floor level. The family has a dog and goldfish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a safe environment and works to provide an inclusive environment for the children and their families. She knows the children well and meets their needs appropriately. Effective arrangements are in place to keep parents informed about their children's daily activities. Satisfactory systems are in place in relation to self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations of the children at play to plan next steps in their learning  further develop links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure the accident record includes sufficient information regarding the location and nature of the injury and the action taken.

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provision

The childminder is caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. This is an offence. This has been rectified by adding a condition to allow the childminder to care for four children in the early years age group to ensure continuity of care. The childminder organises space, time and resources appropriately to meet children's needs. Most required documentation is in place. However, the accident record does not include sufficient information regarding the location and nature of injury and the action taken. The childminder has attended some training since the last inspection to develop her childcare practices.

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provision

The childminder makes satisfactory use of self-evaluation to help her identify her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strengths and areas for development. She seeks the views of parents through regular discussion. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. The contact details of the regulator are now available to parents and the register includes details of the children's attendance. Future plans are appropriately targeted to bring about further improvement to the setting and outcomes for children. For example, the childminder plans educational visits to the museum and she is also waiting to attend training in relation to baby signing.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm and homely environment and she makes the children and their families feel welcome. The childminder works closely in partnership with parents to meet children's additional needs. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the provision. The childminder has developed a portfolio that includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the introduction meeting. Parents are given copies of the policies and they sign to confirm they have understood, helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. The childminder maintains children's individual daily diaries to keep parents informed about their children's daily routines and play activities. Parents also have regular discussions with the childminder regarding their children's developmental progress. Though the childminder has established links with another setting delivering the Early

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provision

Years Foundation for one minded child, she has not yet established such links for all minded children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is appropriately organised and enables the children to develop their independence. The childminder spends time playing and talking to the children as they play. She shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. The childminder follows the youngest children's individual daily routines and she provides lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles to help the children feel secure. The children receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements and this helps them to develop confidence and self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder gathers lots of information from parents about their children's starting points. She observes the children at play and uses this information to chart children's development. However, she does not yet use this information to plan the next steps in children's learning. The childminder has developed children's learning stories. These documents include written observations, photographs and examples of the children's artwork to illustrate their progress and enjoyment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have access to a range of resources and activities and they are happily engaged and occupied. They also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities to help widen children's experiences and develop their awareness of their local community. The children have opportunities to enjoy physical exercise in the fresh air. For example, they play in the garden, take the childminder's dog for a walk and visit the park. The children show an interest in the world in which they live. They watch the goldfish swim around the tank and then help to feed the fish. They talk about the weather and about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aeroplanes flying in the sky. The children develop an awareness of looking after the environment as they help the childminder to re-cycle waste materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The youngest children are able to move around freely and practise their large physical skills, such as sitting, rolling, crawling and pulling up to standing position. Babies have access to a range of resources that are colourful, tactile and that make noises to help them explore and investigate using their senses. The children listen intently as the childminder reads a story to them. The childminder nurtures the children's attempts to communicate. She listens when the children babble or speak using one or two word phrases and she responds in gentle tones to reinforce early speech patterns. The children enjoy making marks using crayons. The childminder joins in the children's play and she draws around their hands and counts their fingers as she draws around them. The childminder draws a face and comments on the children's facial features. She draws around the children's feet and this tickles them and they giggle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children show curiosity in how things work and find out what things can do by handling and exploring them. They play with cause and effect toys and press buttons to see animals pop up. They press the buttons over and over again to repeat this action. The children enjoy exploring the texture of play dough. They develop hand-eye co-ordination and their fine manipulative skills as they use their fingers, hands, tools and cutters to mould and shape the play dough.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The premises are clean and well maintained and the childminder exercises hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a good understanding of safety and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection matters and procedures and this helps to safeguard children's welfare. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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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