Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY343072 Inspection date 23/10/2009 Inspector Margaret Baines

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 became registered in November 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children who are aged seven and nine years in an area of Thornton- Cleveleys, near Blackpool. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll who are within the early years age group. The childminder receives support from the local authority. Facilities used for children's care comprise of a playroom, the lounge, the dining room, a ground floor bathroom and an enclosed rear garden. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

The childminder recognises the uniqueness and individual needs of the children that she cares for because 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 which detail all aspects of the childminding arrangements and the care and learning provided. Parents have access to all policies and procedures. The childminder also has a system in place to record observations and assessments of the children’s achievements in their learning. She has begun the self-assessment of her provision and has identified areas for improvement and development. The childminder has addressed those areas for improvement identified at the last inspection. She is proactive in her approach to training because she has completed training provided by the local authority to maintain continuous improvement for

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop a two-way dialogue with parents and other professionals to further enhance children's learning  provide children with additional opportunities to develop skills for the future through the use of information and communication technology  continue to develop the use of self-evaluation to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

the early years provision

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

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has in place a procedure to follow that ensures children are collected by persons known to the childminder and who have authorised parental responsibility for them. Toys and equipment are deployed effectively, giving children easy access to them to enable them to make good choices in their play and learning. For example, children can access resources from low-level shelves and storage boxes readily available in the well-resourced playroom. 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, in order to provide children with experiences that complement their learning. Parents receive good information about the day the children enjoy with her both verbally and in written form as she provides detailed diaries. She has yet to receive information from parents about the children’s

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training. She has completed a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in childcare and attends short courses offered by the local authority. She recognises her strengths and considers ways to improve through the self-evaluation document, although this has yet to be completed. 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled as they 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 resources, small world toys and creative activities. The children present enjoyed playing with the small world garage and the trucks and also enjoyed stories. The childminder ensures that she provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. For example, children enjoy painting, collage work and outdoor play. Children also enjoy baking with the childminder, when she encourages children to think and learn about measurements and numbers.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children presently cared for are all in the early years age range and enjoy a good variety of learning experiences. For example, they enjoy number games, books and other games as they develop their knowledge and skills in communication, language and literacy. Children have good opportunities to enjoy the outdoors because the childminder ensures that they go out daily to the park or for a walk. 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 childminder has begun to identify the children’s next steps in their learning as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she observes children at play. She also has in place a system to track their learning across the curriculum towards the early learning goals.

p.5

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 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. For example, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety by picking up toys and staying close to her when on outings. The childminder has in place the required safety equipment when transporting children in her car including appropriate child seats. 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 have the opportunity to practise the evacuation procedure to

p.6

and outcomes for children

familiarise themselves with the evacuation of the home in a hurry. Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating. Meals are home cooked and snacks include fresh fruit and bread.

p.6

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 to share and take turns. The childminder uses 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 have good learning experiences across the six areas of learning. They develop their problem-solving skills as they learn to count playing games and counting everyday items and toys. They are beginning to develop an understanding about learning using technology, although at present they have limited access to information and communication technology equipment to assist this element of their learning and preparation for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

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 childminder's commitment to improvement and the good range of resources, children thrive in this home as they enjoy their learning and development in a safe and secure environment. 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 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