Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY306814 Inspection date 01/10/2009 Inspector Cynthia Walker

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

This childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and eight years within easy access of Burnley town centre. Children have access to the whole of the premises, however, do not usually access the bedrooms. Children access the lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. There is a secure rear garden.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Child Care Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and there are currently eight children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network. She holds a qualification at Level 4 in childcare, learning and development and is a support childminder.

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 make good progress in their learning and development through the provision of effective learning opportunities. The childminder promotes the children's welfare which includes effective safeguarding procedures. Good links with parents and carers enable the childminder to work in partnership to ensure the needs of all the children are met by valuing each child as a unique individual. Effective steps are taken by the childminder to evaluate her provision and this information is used to secure continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the methods for planning activities to ensure that these are based upon the identified future learning for individual children within observations  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessment of risks for items and trips.

p.4

the early years provision

Documentation which is required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is efficiently organised and promotes all aspects of children's needs. Policies and procedures are reflected in practice and are reviewed annually or if there are identified changes. The childminder has completed relevant training and has a sound understanding of child protection to enable her to effectively safeguard the children in her care. Risk assessments ensure effective action is taken to manage and eliminate identified risks within the home. Although the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a good understanding of the hazards to children on outings, which are detailed in an overview, this does not reflect all outings being undertaken which impacts on children's safety. The childminder is committed to her professional development and has completed a qualification at Level 4 in child care

p.4

the early years provision

and attended a variety of short courses.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation document provides an accurate diagnosis of her provision which takes into account other quality checks enabling her to analyse what is needed to secure further improvement. The organisation of her home encourages purposeful play and exploration, and access to resources which are regularly rotated supports children's learning and development. Effective liaison with other providers delivering the education programme ensures children progress and receive continuity of care and learning.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents and carers are very positive in their evaluation of the childminder's practice which is reflected in the compliment sheets and state that they are very happy and children receive excellent care and attention. They receive clear information about all aspects of her care including access to her policies and procedures. Parents and carers are well informed about their children's progress and development as they read and sign all observations completed. A daily diary is completed for parents and carers who have limited access to the childminder to ensure there is a sensitive two-way sharing of information to meet the children's needs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements and is effectively promoting children's learning, social, physical and economic well-being. Interesting children's files include regular observations and photographs to support their development and achievements. Observations are evaluated and clearly identify the children's next steps in learning. The childminder has a sensitive understanding of individual children's progress and ensures that activities suitably challenge and extend their learning, although the links between the identified next steps in learning and the activities provided is not reflected in planning documents. She is providing a well equipped and welcoming environment which reflects the children's backgrounds and wider community.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their learning and are active in instigating their own play and learning from a broad range of resources. The childminder effectively supports the children's learning as she listens and sensitively interacts during activities, for example, reinforcing and repeating simple words as children bring objects and correctly identify a book or a picture of a rabbit. Children demonstrate good imagination as they use the mouse from the computer as a phone and with the childminder's support pretend to talk to grandma and then grand-dad. They enjoy constructing simple models from coloured bricks developing dexterity and coordination as the successfully join the pieces together. Older children use the resources to build bunk beds and put small world figures on them. They respond to music from a toy as they move rhythmically from side to side and extend this to use a toy microphone and pretend to sing.

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder effectively promotes the welfare of children and ensures their good health and well-being is supported. Children are secure within the home as a result of good quality interaction from the childminder and stability of the routines. Their behaviour is good and children have been active in adopting simple house rules which are displayed within the home. The introduction of simple road safety encourages children to develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe. Playing in the garden where children can access the climbing frame and trips to the park where they can use the large equipment stimulate the children to be active and understand the benefits of physical activity. An interesting display within the home depicting people of all backgrounds encourages children respect each other and accept each others' differences.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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 2 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