Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301604 Inspection date 14/10/2009 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 1991. She lives in a residential development in Blackburn, Lancashire with her husband and four children, two of whom are over 16 years of age. Local community facilities are easily accessed, including shops, schools and open spaces. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to provide for four children aged under eight years at any one time. No more than three children may be in the early years age range. There are two children on roll aged eight months and four years.

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Description of the childminding

The areas of the home used for childminding purposes include the living room, computer room and the dining area downstairs. Children have access to an area within the garden situated to the rear of the property. Toilet and washroom facilities are provided upstairs and there is provision for children to sleep or rest during the day downstairs. The family has one dog, which children have some contact. The childminder takes and collects children from pre-school sessions. Support and training is accessed from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures the uniqueness of each child is well understood and works hard to meet their individual needs successfully. An inclusive environment supports children in making good progress in their learning and development and they enjoy learning about the world around them. The vast opportunities gained in the home and from using local children's centres and community resources widens children's experiences so children progress rapidly given their age and starting points. Children's safety and welfare is a priority and self-evaluation is developing steadily so that continuous improvement can take place for the benefit of the children who attend. Partnership working with parents, and any other settings that children attend, are effective in ensuring that their changing needs can be identified and met.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop and use self-evaluation as a tool to identify and evaluate priorities for continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of safeguarding issues and has clear procedures in place were she to have any concerns about a child's welfare or This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety. Her childminding service is supported by a comprehensive set of written policies and procedures, which relate fully to these requirements, which is made readily available to parents. Every person in the home over the age of 16 years has undergone suitability checks and the childminder maintains close supervision of children when in the presence of other people. Risk assessments for all aspects of her work, both in and out of the home, ensure immediate issues are dealt with quickly to maintain children's safety. Forward planning for both regular and new outings also makes sure that children remain safe when outside of the home care environment. Children are learning about the diverse society in which they live and

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the early years provision

about other people's differences and similarities through planned and free play activities in the home and when attending different groups. Clear commitment on the part of the childminder to promote equality of opportunity is apparent.

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the early years provision

Written policies have been updated to reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage; consequently, the childminder has an efficient and up-to-date approach to her management of children's individual care, learning and welfare needs. This is aided further because she chooses to maintain low overall numbers to allow her to devote more time to the children who attend. The childminder is organised and understands about child development and how to promote and extend their learning. She ensures they each enjoy a good range of experiences according to their individual age and stage of development. The childminder demonstrates a healthy approach to improving her knowledge by attending refresher courses and has embraced the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, with training attended in this area also. Regular use of the published guidance ensures that observation, assessment and planning for individual children extends

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the early years provision

their learning and developmental progress to a good extent. Emerging self- assessment and the already embedded safety checks that are completed, as well as the changes implemented following the last inspection, demonstrate commitment to securing continuous improvement and creating a sustainable care and learning childcare service.

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the early years provision

Routines are flexible to reflect the children's ongoing interests ideas and routines. For example, children may choose to use construction toys, be creative, play with small world toys or simply enjoy some quiet time looking at books, listening to a story or singing nursery thymes when in the home. The ongoing information exchange that takes place between the childminder, parents and others is effective in ensuring she fully understands and is able to address the needs of each child. Parents receive plenty of daily information about what their children are doing and they are encouraged to contribute and update the initial information they provided to the childminder at enrolment. The childminder recognises parents as their child's primary educator and communication is therefore ongoing and means that children's individual learning needs are fully understood. The links with the nursery setting where children also attend provides good information about what children

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the early years provision

are learning there, allowing the childminder to support and continue each child's individual learning journey towards achieving the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in the setting, which offers a safe and conducive learning, and care environment. They respond well to the childminder who has a good awareness of their individual likes and dislikes. They self-select from a range of age-appropriate toys and other resources that are rotated to provide variety and challenge. Children can make choices for themselves easily and non-mobile babies have a wealth of stimulating objects placed for them to reach out for and handle to encourage their curiosity and physical hand/eye coordination. Both adult-led and child-initiated activities enable children to make good developmental progress. They are interested and able to persist with tasks, such as completing the jigsaw unaided. Their confidence is promoted and encouraged well as they enthusiastically sing familiar nursery rhymes with the childminder, singing a solo of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' with obvious pleasure when they receive applause and

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and outcomes for children

praise from the childminder and the inspector. The childminder supports child-led activities, joining in with impromptu role-play when a child prepares her dolly to go for a walk around the lounge in the pram. Any observations made, photographs and examples of work are shared with the child's parents during the daily discussion, which keeps them informed. Children are progressing well in all areas of learning. The environment, everyday experiences and natural resources are well used. The childminder's observations and assessments of children's development link to the Early Years Foundation Stage and activities are planned with children's next steps in mind. As a result, progress is monitored and children are always effectively challenged and stimulated.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to stay safe through gentle reminders from the childminder, for example, to move small toys out of reach of the baby and to help tidy the toys away so do not become a hazard. They are learning about how to stay safe as they practise the fire drill and hold the childminder's hand or the pram when out in public. They enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis when they visit the park or play outside in the garden area as they enjoy fresh air and gain physical skills, walking and running and using small-wheeled toys. Children are learning about healthy eating and help to select food when going to the shop with the childminder. They enjoy eating healthy snacks and homemade meals with the childminder always aware of parent's wishes and the children's likes and dislikes. Good and hygienic nappy changing and hand washing procedures minimise the risk of cross contamination and infection, promoting children's good health. They also

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and outcomes for children

learn about the importance of good personal hygiene habits before eating their meals and snack when they wash their hands and observe the childminder adopting good hygiene habits herself, for instance, after changing nappies. Children are calm and contented and have a strong attachment to the childminder who offers them lots of praise and encouragement so they feel safe. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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