Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY231147 Inspection date 15/10/2009 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and four children aged 13, 12, nine and three in a semi-detached house in central Blackpool. The childminder also has a stepdaughter aged nine years who regularly visits the family.

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Description of the childminding

The ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and consists of a kitchen and dining area with toilet facilities also on the ground floor. There is an enclosed area for outdoor play with children having access to a decked area. The house is situated within walking distance of shops, parks, the library and the beach.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder is qualified to Level 3 in Child care. She 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 uniqueness and individual 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 ensures that she has in place effective policies and procedures which are shared with parents. She also has a system in place to record children’s achievements in their learning. She has completed a self-assessment of her provision and has identified areas for improvement and development. She has also put in place those identified areas for improvement from her 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 with own professional development to further enhance the learning and development of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility with regard to safeguarding children in her care. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively implemented to ensure children are safe when in the care of the childminder. She has in place rigorous risk assessments for her home and for outings. Consequently, children are safe in her care.

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the early years provision

Systems are in place to ensure that children are collected by persons known to the childminder and have authorised parental responsibility for the children. Toys and equipment are deployed exceptionally well to ensure children have easy access and can make choices in their play and learning. For example, children can access the lovely range of toys and games from the low level shelves and storage boxes. The childminder is diligent in her commitment to ensure that she provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. Parents receive good information about the day the children enjoy with her because she provides detailed diaries. She encourages parents to record information about the children’s interests and achievements at home. Parents have begun to contribute to the evaluation process through discussion; their thoughts and opinions are taken into consideration when evaluating the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes time to explain to parents and carers about the day the children enjoy with her. Currently children do not attend other settings therefore she is not liaising with other professionals but is aware that this is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training. She has completed the National Vocational Qualification to Level 3 in Childcare and attends short courses offered by the local authority. She recognises her strengths and considers ways to improve by completing the self-evaluation document. For example, further professional development to enhance the care and learning for the children is an area for attention. 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 appear happy, content and settled in the care of the childminder who provides an excellent range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy creative activities; they paint and make collages. They enjoy constructing and playing games. They making models with play dough and enjoy a variety of activities in the outdoor area. The children present, all in the early years age range, enjoy a wide range of learning experiences. For example, they enjoy playing with the small world toys and exploring the variety of props. They also engage with books as they develop their knowledge and skills in communication language and literacy.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as they develop their physical skills. For example, they push prams around and they can negotiate a pathway. The childminder uses observation and assessment to identify children’s individual preferences and any gaps in their learning. Each child has a learning journey which contains detailed information about their learning and development. The books include excellent photographic evidence of children enjoying activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 across all six areas of learning as they work towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy visits to groups in the community, to the park and the beach. Each of these activities provide children with a variety of learning experiences. Children feel safe in the care of the childminder because she has in place 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. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own safety and to take some responsibility by picking up toys and being careful. Children are also encouraged to stay close to the childminder when on outings. She has in place the required safety equipment when transporting children in her car, for example, the correct size seats and she carries a first aid box on outings. She has available the required equipment to ensure that children feel safe in her care. For example, fire safety equipment and a first aid box. Children adopt

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and outcomes for children

healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating. For example, they enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit, bread and bread sticks. Meals are home cooked and include the required five-a-day fruit and vegetables.

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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 children’s positive attitude to others by encouraging them, for example, to share and take turns. She uses lots of praise and encouragement to ensure that children develop positive feelings of worth when in her care. Children are developing skills for the future because the childminder ensures that they access the curriculum across each area of learning. For example, they develop their problem solving skills as they count and differentiate between sizes. Children enjoy access to information technology which prepares them for the future. The childminder encourages the children to use the computer to develop their skills and enjoy the games. She also teaches children about our wider world through topics that she develops and access to very good

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and outcomes for children

resources to promote their learning and development well. She encourages children to value each other's differences by giving them excellent information and play ideas. Consequently, children thrive in this home as they enjoy their learning and development in an extremely well resourced, child-orientated environment. 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 1 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 1 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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