Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY334157 Inspection date 02/11/2009 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and six years. They live in a house in Fulwood, Preston. The whole of the ground floor plus a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are available for childminding. There is a secure rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for a total of five children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers. There are currently three children on roll, all are within the Early Years age range. The family have some cold water fish in a small aquarium. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). 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

Overall, children’s individuality and differing needs are recognised by the childminder because she ensures that she gathers relevant information from parents and carers 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 together with systems to record children’s achievements. She has completed a self-assessment of her provision where she has identified areas for improvement and development. She has also put in place those areas for improvement identified at the last inspection. Consequently through additional training and ongoing assessment she is committed to maintaining 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 observation and assessment of children’s learning by ensuring that a system is in place to track children’s learning towards the early learning goals  record the time it takes for the evacuation of the home and how many persons participated in the practise.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibility with regard to safeguarding children. She has completed safeguarding training and is committed to the constant review of her knowledge and understanding with regard to children’s safety. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are effectively implemented to ensure children’s safety is a priority in this setting. She has recorded risk assessments for the home, garden and when children are taken on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings. She also has in place effective systems to ensure that children are collected by persons known to her with authorised parental responsibility for the children. Resources which include toys and equipment are deployed effectively to ensure children have easy access and can make choices in their play and learning. For example, children can access a good range of toys in the home and in the

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the early years provision

enclosed outdoor area from low level storage boxes. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She is flexible in her approach supporting parents and children. Parents receive detailed information about the service offered as she has comprehensive policies and takes the time to explain to parents and carers about the day the children enjoy with her. She provides daily diaries for those parents who wish to have a daily written account. Parents provide her with information which assists in the way she plans for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training. She has completed several courses run by the local authority and recognises her strengths and considers ways to improve through self-evaluation. Consequently children benefit from her commitment and willingness to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and enjoy their time with the childminder who provides a good range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy construction as they access the building resources, creating designs using their imagination. Children present enjoy playing with the cars, the small world resources the dolls and games. The very young child enjoys tactile toys and the shape sorters. Children also have enjoyed making a rocket collage and a bat to celebrate bonfire night.

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and outcomes for children

They develop their physical skills to balance and climb as they play happily in the garden. The childminder uses observation and assessment to identify children’s individual preferences and any gaps in their learning. However, at present she has not implemented a system to track children’s learning in each area of learning towards the early learning goals. Children enjoy visits to groups in the community, to the park and the library. All of these activities provide children with a very good variety of learning experiences. Children feel extremely safe in her care because she has in place very good systems 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. For example, they are encouraged not to run in the house and help her to pick up toys. Children are also encouraged to stay close to the childminder when on outings. She has

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and outcomes for children

available the required equipment to ensure that children feel safe in her care. For example, fire safety equipment and a first aid box. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedure which is recorded, however, the time it takes to evacuate the home is not at present recorded.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt extremely healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating, For example, they enjoy very healthy snacks of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fresh fruit. Meals are home cooked and include the required five a day fruit and vegetables. 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 children’s positive attitude to others by encouraging them, for example, to share and take turns. Children are developing skills for the future because the childminder ensures that they access the curriculum across each area of learning. For example, they enjoy books. They learn to use their problem solving skills as they count and differentiate between sizes. Children enjoy access to information technology which

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and outcomes for children

prepares them for the future. Children learn about our wider world because they have good opportunities to develop their understanding as she teaches them to value differences. Consequently children thrive as they enjoy their learning and development with this childminder who is very caring and most enthusiastic about the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the care of the children. 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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