Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY384114 Inspection date 30/09/2009 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 2008. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house in the Preston area of Lancashire. The co-childminder's husband and a teenager live at the property. Children are accommodated in the conservatory, lounge and dining area on the ground floor with access to an enclosed outdoor area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. When working together the childminders may care for a maximum of six children, all of whom may be in the early years age range. They are currently caring for eight children, six of whom are in the early years age group. They also offer care for children aged from five years to 11 years out of school times and in the school holidays. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers care from 7.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday all year round.

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Description of the childminding

Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice but each has key responsibilities for named children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

There is a range of interesting and enjoyable activities available for children and this helps them to make steady progress toward the early learning goals. The childminder supports all children's learning and development generally well, planning some activities suitably. She and her co-childminder effectively promote inclusive practice and ensure documentation is well maintained. Good partnerships with parents have been developed successfully and underpin the childminder's practice to ensure that necessary information is exchanged, which enables the individual needs of each child to be supported. Implementing the systems for self evaluation is relatively new, however, the childminder shows commitment to developing this as a tool to drive continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis for embedding continuous improvement.  incorporate technological resources that children recognise into their play, for example, safe equipment such as torches, tape recorders and cameras  promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these; wherever possible and practical help children to learn to value aspects of their own and other peoples’ lives. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to continue to develop her knowledge of the learning and development aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. In this way, and through other improvements, she demonstrates a positive commitment to the ongoing development of the quality of her service and of continuous improvement. The childminder uses available resources, like training and help from the local authority, as well as the accessible home environment and toys and equipment to increase the effectiveness of the care she offers to children. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children in her care. She has completed safeguarding training and developed the required written policy to support her responsibility of protecting children. Actions raised at the last inspection have been addressed satisfactorily to improve the quality of the care provided and to meet the safety requirements of registration. The childminder and all other adults in the

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the early years provision

care environment have been subject to satisfactory suitability checks at the time of initial registration, thereby providing a sound platform on which to ensure children's safe care and learning.

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the early years provision

All children and their families are welcome and children have some opportunities to learn about other people’s differences and similarities in the limited range of resources that the childminder uses. The initial meetings with parents and the settling-in visits that take place are used effectively to complete necessary documentation and establish good future partnership working arrangements. Parents and carers are provided with information about the childminder's policies and procedures and all required permissions are obtained so that children's welfare can be supported. Awareness is shown of the need to develop partnerships with others when children attend other settings. Daily discussions and written home-link records ensure that parents are informed about their child’s progress and development and ensure that the childminder can meet children's changing needs, for example, sleep time routines. Self-evaluation is recognised as being a tool for

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the early years provision

continuous improvement but is not yet used fully to build on existing strengths and areas for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in an accessible learning environment, where they are encouraged towards increasing their confidence and independence. They engage in a broad and balanced range of activities that provide opportunities in all areas of learning. Children constantly interact with the childminder and the other children present and benefit from this positive interaction to support them as they make progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder is starting to use the insights gained from her observations of what children are doing and learning to plan activities that will encourage further learning. Children's social development is further promoted when they attend toddler groups, additionally developing skills for the future. There is a balance of adult led and child initiated play throughout This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the day, and children's ideas are built upon by the childminder to challenge and

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and outcomes for children

extend them. Children of different ages benefit from one activity because the childminder is able to adapt it to meet all their individual needs. As a result, children's development is generally well enhanced. Some areas of learning lack attention, such as opportunities in the home environment for children to explore simple technological resources and learning more about one another's differences and similarities. Information about children's achievements is shared with parents in a variety of ways including daily discussion and the daily home-link books to keep them well informed. Comments made to Ofsted reflect the satisfaction parents feel about the care their children receive, saying, 'my child enjoys the painting activities and walks to the park and their language development has come on brilliantly' and 'my child is nurtured'.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good access to physical play and fresh air, are provided with a varied healthy diet, supplemented with frequent drinks and personal hygiene routines are robust to help children to learn about developing good personal habits. Policies shared with parents include the sickness policy, so that children do not attend when unwell. Thorough cleaning and nappy changing routines help protect children from the risk of cross-infection. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they see the measures in place, such as the gate to prevent access to the stairs, or as they take part in fire evacuation drills. Relevant discussion during activities reinforces children's early understanding or keeping safe, such as why they must be careful when pushing the dolls pram inside, and keeping the floor space tidy so they will not fall and hurt themselves. Children generally play well together given their ages and stages of development and periodic reminders from

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and outcomes for children

the childminder helps them to understand about sharing and taking turns. The frequent praise the childminder gives to the children promotes their self-esteem effectively. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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