Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 308504 Inspection date 30/11/2009 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 since November 1996. She lives in Kirkham with her husband and adult daughter. She is registered to provide care for six children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age range. Facilities for children comprise of the lounge and dining room, kitchen and hallway as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed area at the rear of the house. The childminder has completed the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Childcare and Education. She is a member of the Fylde Childminding Network. The family have a small dog as a pet. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises the uniqueness and individual needs of the children that she cares for by gathering relevant information from parents at the beginning of the childminding arrangements. As a result, children feel happy and settled in her care. The childminder has in place effective policies and procedures, which detail all aspects of the childminding arrangements and the care and learning provided. Parents are provided with this information at the beginning of the childminding arrangements. She has a system in place to record observations and assessments of the children’s achievements in their learning. Areas for improvement and development are identified, as she has begun the self-evaluation process. The childminder has addressed the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection. As a result, the care and education of the children has been enhanced. She is proactive in her approach to training because she has completed

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

training including the NVQ in Childcare and Education at level 3. She also accesses training provided by the local authority to ensure she actively works to maintain continuous improvement for the children in her care.

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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 use of self-evaluation to maintain improvement in the setting and include parents contribution to the process  develop the two way flow of information with parents to enhance children’s learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of her responsibility with regard to safeguarding children. She is clear about the procedures in place to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguard the children in her care. She has completed safeguarding training and is committed to the constant review of her knowledge and understanding with regard to children’s safety. There are detailed safeguarding policies and procedures in place which are effectively implemented. She has in place rigorous risk assessments for her home and when she takes children on outings. As a result, the childminder ensures children are safe in her care.

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the early years provision

Children are only collected by persons known to the childminder and with authorised parental responsibility for them. Toys and equipment are deployed effectively, giving children easy access to enable them to make good choices in their play and learning. For example, children can access the good range of toys and games from the low level shelves and storage boxes readily available in the effectively resourced play areas. The childminder is committed to providing a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She demonstrates this by having available detailed information about each child and their preferences. Consequently, she provides children with experiences that complement their learning. She considers each child’s individual needs and learning preferences. As a result, she works effectively to narrow the gap for each child in her care. Parents receive good information about the day the children enjoy with her both

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the early years provision

verbally and in written form. They also receive information about the provision as she invites them to read her policies. Consequently, the partnership with parents is effective. At present, children who attend her setting do not attend other provisions. She is aware that should this be the case she would liaise with other providers to ensure continuity of care and learning for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training. She is currently completing a training course on the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. She recognises her strengths and considers ways to improve through self-evaluation, although she has yet to include parent's views in this process. She is committed to embedding ambition and driving improvement as she continually looks for ways to develop and improve for the benefit of the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled as they enjoy their time with the childminder, who provides a wide range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy games, books and dolls. The children enjoy playing with the shape sorters, the shopping trolley and the craft resources. The childminder ensures that she provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. For example, children enjoy games that promote their learning such as matching games. Children also enjoy baking with the childminder, where she encourages children to think and learn about measuring and numbers. Children enjoy drawing and painting, making pictures to take home. They also enjoy a good selection of books as they develop their knowledge and skills in communication, language and literacy. Each child has their own learning journey book, which is filled with detailed observations and examples of the children’s achievements in photographs

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and outcomes for children

and pieces of art work. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have good opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, as they develop their physical skills. For example, they access the outdoor play area where there is a range of resources to enhance their play. They also visit the local parks, where they can use the large equipment as they learn to climb and balance. The childminder uses observation and assessment to identify children’s individual preferences and any gaps in their learning. The childminder has begun to identify the children’s next steps in their learning as she observes children at play. However, parent's comments on children's learning at home are not reflected in the learning journey files.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their personal skills as they enjoy regular visits to groups in the community where they socialise with their peers. Children feel safe in the care of the childminder because she has good systems in place 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. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety by picking up toys and staying close to her when on outings. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a fully stocked first aid box. She has available the required equipment to ensure that children feel safe in her care, for example, fire safety equipment. Children practise the evacuation procedure on a regular basis to familiarise themselves with the evacuation of the home at speed. Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder, as she encourages them to learn about

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and outcomes for children

healthy eating. Meals are home cooked and include the required five-a-day fruit and vegetables. Consequently, children enjoy a healthy balanced diet.

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and outcomes for children

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 works hard to promote the children’s positive attitude to others by encouraging them to share and take turns. She uses praise and encouragement to assist children to develop positive feelings of worth. Children are developing skills for the future because the childminder ensures that they access all areas of learning. They develop their problem solving skills as they learn to count, enjoying games and counting elements every day. They are beginning to develop an understanding about learning using technology as they use electronic resources in their play. The childminder teaches children about our wider world through access to good resources including books, small world toys and dressing up items. As a result of the commitment to improvement and the good range of

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and outcomes for children

resources, children thrive in this home as they enjoy their learning and development. 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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