Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307870 Inspection date 18/09/2009 Inspector Margaret Baines

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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 registered in 1982. She lives with her husband in a detached house in Carleton. Childminding takes place in the dining room and conservatory/playroom with use of the downstairs toilet/shower room. A bedroom is used by the babies for a sleep, otherwise upstairs is out of bounds to the minded children. The garden is secure and has a decking area, which is used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for a total of six children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers. There are currently six children on roll, of whom three are in the Early Years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The local amenities include a nearby school, shops, park and library. Currently, there are no children receiving overnight care. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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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

Overall children’s individuality and differing needs are recognised by the childminder because she ensures that she gathers relevant information from parents and carers at the beginning of the childminding arrangements. Consequently, children feel happy and settled in her care. The childminder has in place effective policies and procedures to ensure she meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has begun to complete a self-assessment of her provision, although she has not identified areas for improvement or involved parents in this process. She has put in place those identified areas for improvement from her last inspection. She is committed to maintaining continuous improvement for the children in her care because she has attended training to update her knowledge.

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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 observation and assessment of children’s learning by ensuring that a system is in place to track children’s learning towards the early learning goals  review the environment to ensure children have the opportunity to easily access resources to enable them to develop their independence and make choices  develop the self-evaluation to reflect on the practice in order to maintain continuous improvement; ensure parents are included in the self-evaluation process. 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 aware of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. She has completed safeguarding training and is committed to the constant review of her knowledge and understanding with the regard to children’s safety. Policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding are effectively implemented to ensure children’s safety is assured in this setting. She has recorded risk assessments for the home and garden. Systems are in place to ensure children are collected by persons known to her with authorised parental responsibility. Resources which include toys and equipment are plentiful, however the organisation of these is restrictive as children do not have easy access because there are too many resources in the room at any one time.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures an inclusive service is offered for all children and their families. She is flexible in her approach. Parents receive good information about the service offered, as she has detailed policies and takes the time to explain to parents and carers about the day the children enjoy with her. She provides daily diaries for parents who wish to receive them and has begun to record children’s achievements in their individual files. Parents provide her with information about their children, which ensures she can meet their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training. She has completed short courses offered by the local authority. She is aware of her strengths and is beginning to consider ways to improve through self evaluation. She works with parents to ensure that the care she provides reflects the children's home environment as they develop and learn. She is aware of the requirement to develop effective partnerships when children attend other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear happy and settled as they enjoy their time with the childminder, who provides a good range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy small world toys, construction resources and dolls and cars as they use their imagination. Children present enjoy shape sorters, the small kitchen utensils and the shaking toys. Children may access the outdoor area where they enjoy the sit and ride toys. The childminder also takes children out in the community where they meet other children and enjoy visits to the park.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is developing her use of observation and assessment to identify children’s individual preferences and any gaps in their learning. However, at present she has not implemented a system to track children’s learning towards the early learning goals. Children feel safe in her care because she has in place good systems to ensure the continued safety of the children. For example, she uses risk assessments to identify any potential hazards and she ensures she teaches children about keeping themselves safe. For example, they are encouraged not to run in the house and to help her to pick up toys. Children are also encouraged to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stay close to the childminder when on outings. She has available the required equipment to ensure that children feel safe in her care. For example, fire safety equipment and a first aid box. Children also practice the emergency evacuation

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating, for example, they enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit. Meals are home cooked and are designed around children’s preferences. Children make a positive contribution because the childminder ensures that they have a good understanding of what is expected of them in terms of behaviour and cooperation with others. She ensures children develop a positive attitude to others by encouraging them, for example, to share and take turns. Children are developing skills for the future because the childminder ensures that they develop their language, their problem solving skills and use technology, such as electronic games. Children also enjoy the good selection of books and they use their problem solving skills as they count and differentiate between sizes. Children learn about our wider world through access to resources that share other cultures and they

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and outcomes for children

enjoy books and pictures that reflect this aspect of their learning. Consequently, children enjoy their learning and development in this setting. 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 3 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 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 3 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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