Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY393286 Inspection date 22/01/2010 Inspector Carole, Jean Craven

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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 lives with her husband and 15 month old son. She lives in the Feniscowles area of Blackburn, in Lancashire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children under eight years, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language.

p.4

Description of the childminding

Children have access to a play room with an adjacent bathroom, a main lounge, dining room/kitchen, rear garden and one bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. Children do not access the upstairs bathroom, the main bedroom or the loft area.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends drop in groups on a regular basis. The childminder has completed her training in childminding practice and is a qualified nursery nurse.

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 are confident, happy and settled in the childminders care and have developed secure relationships with her. They are making good progress towards the early learning goals and their welfare is successfully promoted. Systems to evaluate practice are generally effective and provide a basis to build on what has already been achieved. However, parents are not fully involved in this process and the childminder recognises her areas for development, as well as her strengths. Children thrive in the setting, where they are respected and valued as individuals.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop systems of self-evaluation and include the views of parents and children  ensure that parents are given access to all documentation and information about their child's care, learning and development  ensure that times of children's arrival and departure are recorded daily. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children’s welfare and well-being are good and ensure that all required duties are met. The childminder has up-to-date knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She understands her responsibilities under the Children Act to safeguard children's welfare. Effective systems are in place to record concerns and existing injuries. Clear and detailed risk assessments are in place for all aspects of the provision and safety equipment ensures that hazards are minimised and accidents prevented. Fire drills are practised and recorded each half term and a record is kept of carbon monoxide readings.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a clear sense of vision about what she wishes to achieve and how she wants to improve her service. This includes her own professional development and has identified the need to involve parents more in their child's care, learning and development. Her systems of self-evaluation are not yet fully developed to include parents' and children's views. Parents receive good information about their child's care and education, in the form of newsletters, daily diaries, play plans and access to some policies.

p.5

the early years provision

All required documentation, policies and procedures are in place. They are well kept, regularly reviewed and readily available for inspection. However the daily attendance register does not record children's times of arrival and departure. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with other providers and professionals, supporting the children in her care. She maintains good relationships with parents, pre-school and school staff. She works hard at meeting the individual needs of parents and children, particularly those with English as an additional language. There are consistent and inclusive systems of communication in place, including a good exchange of information on entry, which focuses on the child's interests and needs. Children's art work is displayed in the playroom, giving the children and families a sense of belonging and value.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The attractive environment of the dedicated playroom is set out in clearly defined areas, allowing children freedom to move about and make choices in their play. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands the needs of the children she cares for. She uses this knowledge to plan a range of activities and experiences, to promote their learning and development, related to their individual needs. The children are given good, individual support, which results in them being confident and eager to learn. They are well equipped to develop skills they need in order to secure future learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and involved in their play. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, for example, the childminder planned an activity around shopping. A child makes a shopping list, chooses a banana, melon This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and an orange. He then puts them in the shopping basket and through the till and pays with a 'swipe' card. The childminder asks him what all the items are, he responds well, naming all the fruit. He then draws around the fruit on his shopping list. The activity continued with looking at, cutting up and tasting fruit. Later the child decides he wants to play on the computer. Once the childminder has the programme running, he is able to work independently and move objects to the appropriate spaces using the mouse, cheering when he gets it correct. The childminder effectively promotes opportunities for them to improve their

p.5

and outcomes for children

communication, language and technology skills. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language. She promotes their language skills by asking open questions and singing repetitive songs with them. She has a good selection of books and the playroom is attractively decorated with posters, weather charts, calendars and clear labelling. Children are encouraged to recognise the letter of the week and a range of words and pictures beginning with the letter are displayed. Children are beginning to learn about their own environment and the wider world through resources, celebrating festivals and outings in the community, to improve social interaction with others. Children attending, whose home country is Norway, understand that it is a long way away and that their father is a fisherman. 'He catches fish and eats them', they say.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The planning of activities are based on observations of the children, which identify their interests and level of understanding. Plans are displayed for parents. Children's records of achievement contain good, evaluative observations, art work and photographs, which clearly demonstrate progress.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to understand about hygiene practices and self-help skills. They take themselves to the toilet and automatically wash their hands afterwards. There is a pictorial reminder displayed on the wall, to remind them of good hand washing routines. The childminder has a range of effective practices in place, to prevent the spread of infection, such as, colour coded chopping boards, records of cleaning routines, individual hand towels and disposable wipes. Children demonstrate a strong sense of security and understand how to keep themselves safe. They are happy and eager to see the childminder when collected from pre- school. They wear high visibility vests when walking outside the premises, look both ways before crossing the road and hold on to the buggy on the inside of the footpath. Older children encourage the younger ones in road safety routines. They benefit from a healthy diet, as they are provided with a well-balanced and

p.6

and outcomes for children

nutritious selection of snacks and meals as required. Meals and snacks comply with dietary requirements and preferences, to promote healthy growth and development. Children are able to help themselves to drinks of water from a dispenser throughout the day. Children are well-behaved and behaviour management strategies are discussed with parents. The older children have a sense of responsibility towards the younger ones and are rewarded with certificates for being helpful and caring towards the younger children. 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