Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 308081 Inspection date 23/09/2009 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 has been registered for twenty years. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Fulwood Preston. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age group plus two of her grand children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local children's groups. 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 inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has not put in place the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements and has not taken any reasonable steps to become familiar with the content of this required framework for the benefit of children. Self-evaluation has not begun, therefore the capacity for improvement is weak. Children's unique qualities and learning and development achievements are known to some extent, but this information is not used to enhance their individual learning needs and plan the next steps in their learning. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities, settle well and enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who cares for her grandchildren and minded children. Parents comment on their satisfaction with the care provided in written acknowledgments about the service. Partnerships with other settings that children attend is not in place as the childminder is not aware of this obligation. Therefore children's information is not

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

shared to enhance continuity in their care and learning. As a consequence there are several breaches to requirements and actions have been raised.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 take steps to improve knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that assessment arrangements are in place to provide children with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (Learning and Development) 09/10/2009

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further?

 begin to liaise with other providers delivering the Early 09/10/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of learning for children (Learning and Development; assessment arrangements)  make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles; use these observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child (Learning and Development) 09/10/2009

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further?

 ensure any person aged 16 years or older living on the childminding premises completes suitability checks. 09/10/2009

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that children have the opportunity to practise the evacuation procedure to promote their safety  ensure all toys and equipment in the outdoor area are mainated to an acceptable standard  develop self assessment to drive improvement; include parents and other professional in this process.

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the early years provision

The childminder has in place a procedure to ensure that children are safeguarded in her care. She has attended child protection training in the past. She demonstrated her awareness of her responsibility to ensure children are safeguarded when in her care. She has put in place all requirements in terms of safety equipment in her home to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. All policies and procedures are shared with parents and she has ensured that they sign to acknowledge receipt of such. Safeguarding is further ensured because persons living in the home who are over 16 years have completed the appropriate checks. However, one person has returned to the home following a period of living away and has not completed new clearance documents. Systems are in place to generally promote children's health and well-being. For example, the childminder obtains information from parents about any health issues

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the early years provision

that need to be addressed and she ensures that children enjoy activities, such as outdoor play to promote their good health. She also ensures they enjoy healthy meals and snacks, such as fresh fruit and home cooked meals.

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the early years provision

She has in place all required written consents for example, for the administration of medication and to take children on outings. Risk assessments are in place for the home, the garden and for outings. However, some of the toys in the outdoor area were observed to not meet health and safety requirements. Procedures to keep children safe are in place, for example, the emergency evacuation drills, however, she has not practised this with the children; therefore they are unaware of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed effective partnerships with parents. She gains This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information about the children’s individual needs when the childminding arrangement commences and she provides a written account about the child’s day with her. However, the exchange of information about children's learning and development is a weak area. Parents are valued and made most welcome. The childminder is unaware of her obligation to establish working relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to exchange information for the children's benefit.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not begun to self-evaluate but has recognised there are significant areas for improvement. Although she has completed several courses over her many years as a childminder but she has not been proactive about keeping abreast of childcare issues and legislation in the last year. For example, she has not completed the Early Years Foundation Stage training or any courses related to the implementation of the Statuary Framework. She has met recommendations made at previous inspections satisfactorily. Her commitment to continuous improvement and driving ambition is weak therefore children's learning and development in the six areas of learning is limited. The childminder does, however, have a suitable amount of play resources and uses local centres, for example, play areas to provide children with a variety of enjoyable experiences. The childminder takes satisfactory steps to promote equality and diversity so that

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the early years provision

children and families feel included in the life of the setting and so that children are helped to begin to value differences in society.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder does not have a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage; neither does she observe and assess children's progress to plan for children's individual learning needs. She has not established their starting points therefore has no information with which to plan for the future steps in their learning. Children, however, are relaxed and well-settled and enjoy warm and affectionate relationships with the her. For example, they enjoy creating pictures and playing with the dolls and the small world figures. However, children’s work is not at present on display.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that resources are available for children to enjoy, although there is no planning for individual learning at present. Resources do not relate to children's particular learning needs and do not reflect the areas of learning in any systematic way. The childminder has available resources that children enjoy and has good ideas for their play and enjoyment, but at present these do not link to the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy daily outings to the park and the local play areas. Consequently, they enjoy physical play and socialising with other children. Games and puzzles help children with their problem solving skills and musical instruments contribute to children’s creativity along with painting and sticking. However, at present the childminder does not observe and assess these activities to further enhance children’s learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are developing a limited understanding of our wider world as they play with the few resources that reflect diversity. They learn about numbers and shapes and they learn to recognise letters. Children also enjoy a small number of books and they access some information technology resources, which help prepare them for the future. Children are learning about being healthy as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. She also

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and outcomes for children

encourages them to drink their juice regularly throughout the day in their individual cups. The children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity in the garden and in the local parks. Children also learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them not to climb on furniture, not to run indoors and to pick up toys. The childminder encourages children to share and take turns. She teaches them good manners and has high expectations of their behaviour; therefore children develop important skills for the future in her care. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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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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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 inform the regulator when changes to persons living on the premises occur. 09/10/2009

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