Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 309074 Inspection date 03/11/2009 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and twelve years in a detached house in a residential area of Chorley in Lancashire. The local shops and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor apart from the conservatory, plus two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden area available for outdoor play. The family has one dog as pet. The childminder takes children to a local mother and toddler group. Registration is effective on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare register. A maximum of four children aged under eight years may attend at any one time. Of these, no more than three may be in the early year’s age range. There are currently three children on roll all attending on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association with additional support and training gained from

p.4

Description of the childminding

the local authority Sure Start development consultancy.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel safe and content in the childminder's welcoming and relaxed home and they make good progress in their learning and development because they enjoy an interesting range of play opportunities both indoors and outside. The childminder has a well developed knowledge of each child’s individual needs and learning styles, using planning generally well to encourage their learning and development. She builds good relationships with parents and is considering how she will develop future partnerships with other settings when children start to attend other settings, as they grow older. The childminder provides an inclusive service for all children, but positive images and resources depicting difference are not always readily available for them to look at and play with. Well written policies and procedures are in place to underpin and ensure children’s safety and welfare is always promoted and the childminder is committed to making continuous

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

improvements that will benefit every child who attends both now and in the future.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities and images that encourage children to become aware of other peoples similarities and differences so that children learn to value different aspects of their own and other peoples lives  ensure that the identified next steps for individual children are clearly traceable to any future planned activities so that positive learning outcomes for each child are assured and match the expectations of the early learning goals and individual children's capabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder organises space and play resources effectively so she can always meet every child's needs. For example, children have free access to all areas registered for childminding. They make good use of the enclosed rear garden area in all weathers, which enables children to engage in challenging outdoor play and learning experiences in the fresh air. Children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and has attended refresher training so she can implement and follow the most up to date guidance issued by the local safeguarding authority. There are good systems in place to deal with any accidents, incidents and illnesses and children’s health needs are well promoted. The childminder shows a very good approach to making improvements to her provision and is proactive at accessing training to keep abreast of changes to registration and good practice childcare guidance. Self-

p.5

the early years provision

evaluation has been embraced to an outstanding degree, assisting the childminder to identify areas she wants to improve so that outcomes for children are continuously enhanced. Whilst the recommendation made at the last inspection was adequately addressed, the childminder agreed to review the way that children gain access to and explore difference through everyday play situations and positive images displayed within the home.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards liaising with parents and carers and provides a comprehensive set of written policies and procedures for them to keep so that partnership working is supported successfully. Settling in visits and detailed information about each child effectively ensures that children's individual needs and uniqueness is promoted and their welfare, learning and care needs are made known from the start. There are efficient systems in place to share information through informal chats, written records and the daily dairies to which parents and carers can add their comments. Information about children's learning and development is provided both verbally and in the daily dairies to keep parents thoroughly informed about their child's progress and learning. All children's personal details are gathered from parents at the start of the placement and the childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and interest when settling them in

p.5

the early years provision

to her home childcare environment. As a result, children are happy and secure in her care and eagerly run straight in when they arrive, going straight to the toys that are prepared ready for them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder's excellent knowledge of how children develop and her good skills in engaging children in challenging and stimulating activities enables them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder continually talks to children, about what she and they are doing and makes all experiences a learning opportunity. Children are inquisitive and explore their environment with ease. Age appropriate toys and resources are organised so that children can access them easily, allowing them to be active learners and make choices in their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They enjoy visits to places of interest, such as the park and they go for regular walks in the local vicinity as they learn about the natural outdoor environment and the changing seasons. Young children are starting to develop their understanding of dangers and how to keep themselves safe through discussions and everyday

p.5

and outcomes for children

activities that the childminder talks to them about. For example, she shows them where it is safe to cross the road when they use the pelican and zebra crossings and they experience taking part in the emergency evacuation drill, recognising the sound of the smoke alarm. Children also are developing their awareness about the dangers of having too many toys on the floor as the childminder talks about this to them and encourages them to help put things away.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, and the garden is used regularly to promote positive outcomes for children, for example, children play outside in all weathers and plant flowers and take part in mark making activities when they paint, using water and brushes, on the patio stone surface. Children are supported to recognise and use numbers as they point and count using the number chart displayed, reliably counting the number of animals next to the number symbol confidently. Babies are learning about space and shape as they repeatedly post things down the chute only to watch them re appear at the bottom, to their obvious pleasure.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder completes regular observations on each of the children, illustrated with many photographs. This provides a clear picture of children's individual development. The quality of these observations and assessments of what children are achieving and their next steps is good; however, the identified next steps are not always clearly linked into plans so progress cannot be clearly recorded. The good selection of natural and small world resources for younger children provides a rich and varied source for children's imagination, ability, and confidence to express themselves through make believe. This provides very good opportunities for the development of children's communication and language through the positive interaction by the childminder to engage and involve children in their play at all levels. Creative play is ongoing with children, babies and toddlers experiencing paint, glue, sand and water and malleable materials like play dough.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children’s language skills are encouraged well because the childminder uses good questioning skills, repeating words so that children can copy and practice their emerging language skills. She gives children time to think and demonstrate what they know. Children form strong relationships with the childminder and each other and enjoy looking at the digital photo frame with pictures of past activities and the other children who attend. This helps children to recall past events and have a sense of belonging to emotional security. Priority is given to children's health and their safety is supported well. All supporting documentation is in place to make sure children's well being is assured and the care provided to them is individual to their changing needs. Health information provided by the childminder underlines the importance to parents about taking positive steps to minimise cross infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8