Childminder in Blackpool

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY230871 Inspection date 03/08/2009 Inspector Margaret Baines

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her partner and her son age 11 years in a residential area of Blackpool close to the park, library and schools. Facilities within the home for children comprise of a playroom, kitchen and lounge with the bathroom on the first floor. There is a garden to the rear and the front of the house. The childminder keeps a number of small animals, rabbits and guinea pigs. Registration commenced in 2003. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register for a maximum of six children. Currently, there are two children on roll, who are both in the early years age range. One child attends full-time and the other part-time. Advice, support and training is gained from the local authority. The childminder has gained accreditation with the local childminding network.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly effective in the way she promotes care and learning for the children she cares for. There are in place extremely effective systems for monitoring, assessing and planning for children's future learning and their individual needs. Consequently, she provides exemplary provision for children. Children's learning and development is planned in great depth and is tracked effectively to ensure that children access all areas of learning in a fun and developmentally appropriate manner. The childminder provides children with excellent opportunities for physical development and emotional well-being. The partnership with parents is outstanding, as is the liaison with other groups who care for the children. Her ability to self-assess is highly effective, leading to action plans for future development to further enhance her exceptionally effective practice.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 continue to participate in training to further develop practice.

p.3

provision

The childminder has in place exceptionally detailed and informed policies and procedures which clearly reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Policies and procedures promote a robust attitude to children's safety and welfare. The childminder demonstrates a highly efficient approach to the management of the children's individual care and needs. The childminder is extremely organised and knowledgeable in her approach to children's development. She ensures they have an excellent range of opportunities in all the six areas of learning. For example, plans demonstrate that children enjoy a wide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of activities across all areas of learning. Routines are flexible to ensure that they reflect the children's ongoing interests and ideas. The childminder is extremely committed to her own self-development demonstrated through her

p.3

provision

training achievements. Further professional development is identified as an area for improvement.

p.4

provision

The sharing of information with parents and carers is encouraged as a two-way process. This keeps them informed on how their children are progressing in all areas of their development. For example, daily diaries reflect each child's day, whilst records of achievement reflect and track the child's progress in each area of learning. The childminder has taken positive steps to link with other providers that care for the children who attend her setting. This pro-active approach is effective in enhancing and supporting children's needs and promotes continuity. The childminder's self-evaluation is detailed in all areas and clearly identifies both her strengths and areas for improvement. Consequently, she demonstrates her commitment to reflective practice. She clearly links this to her capacity to maintain continuous improvement when evaluating the effectiveness of any action taken. The childminder involves parents in the evaluation of her provision as she asks

p.4

provision

them to complete questionnaires and write comments in the children’s records of achievement. She is highly effective in the way she strives continually to improve and enhance her provision for the benefit of the children in her care.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children experience a learning environment and educational programme that is exemplary because the childminder plans for each child with their individual needs clearly identified. As a result, children make exceptional progress in her care. Children benefit enormously from the excellent range, balance and variety of activities which fully promotes children's learning. The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development. It gives them the confidence to explore and learn in secure and safe, yet challenging, indoor and outdoor space and provision. For example, children enjoy caring for the animals housed in the animal shelter in the garden. They learn to care for living things and develop the skills to share tasks as they enjoy the activity.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the extensive range of activities and resources indoors; for example, they paint, they use the small world resources, they mark make and they enjoy some quiet time as they enjoy the excellent selection of books. The setting provides very good access, selection and choices for all the children which includes a lovely selection of natural resources. Very young children enjoy activities that require them to investigate by lifting and pressing a variety of objects as they discover with enjoyment. Consequently, there are very good opportunities for the children to be active learners in this home. Children also have excellent opportunities to develop their socialising skills as they enjoy visit to local groups, the library and the park. Children in this setting have extremely good opportunities through play to use their ideas and suggestions. They access very good resources which enables them to make connections and develop these effectively; for

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

example, they enjoy building models following their own design ideas. They are excited as they make marks in the sand tray and on the outdoor walls as they use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the big brushes.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are exceptionally well provided with experiences and support which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others. They develop respect for others in addition to social skills, therefore children display a positive disposition to learning because the childminder ensures her planning for care and learning enables children to flourish. The childminder offers exceptionally good support for children’s emotional well-being ensuring they develop the ability to know themselves and what they can achieve. Extremely effective relationships are nurtured here and the children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. This is reflected in their behaviour which is managed in a caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has fully embraced the importance of children having visual images around them to support their recognition of written word and context. The walls are adorned with children’s delightful work and posters that promote their learning. Children have ongoing opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills which are seen as important. For example, the childminder always waits for children to finish what they want to say and responds positively to them. She also ensures that very young children are listened to and acknowledges their responses to a variety of situations. For example, she provides children with a variety of sounds in games to help their listening skills develop. Older children in her care feel confident to discuss and share with her aspects of their day and suggest ideas for after school activities. This exceptionally positive relationship ensures children thrive in her care. Children use a wide variety of resources for

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

expressing their understanding, including mark making, creative materials, model making, books, story telling and music. Children have exceptionally good opportunities to fix and make things which supports their problem-solving skills well. Children access resources to develop their skills in weight and measure as they weigh ingredients to bake cakes. For example, they have made fairy cakes. There are games that promote the recognition of numbers; games that help children to match and sequence, and games that promotes children's thinking skills, for example construction games and resources.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is most vigilant in her commitment to providing a most secure and safe environment for the children in her care. She has in place highly effective risk assessments for all aspects of her childcare. All equipment, resources and toys are checked and maintained to ensure their ongoing quality and purpose. Extremely healthy meals and snacks are provided as well as drinks through the day, and these promote healthy choices for the children which are shared with parents. Consequently, children learn about healthy foods and the care of their bodies. Daily access to the outdoors and fresh air fully promotes the children's health and well-being. Children enjoy the resources in the outdoor area which reflect the six areas of learning. Children have access to a very good range of equipment, both large and small, which supports and extends their physical skills very well. Children visit a range of places in the local area which are of interest to them, such as the

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

zoo. They also enjoy activities that reflect our wider world and enjoy the excellent resources that promote their learning in this area. Consequently, children’s learning and development is fostered in an excellent manner in this setting through the dedication and commitment of this highly effective and enthusiastic childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7