Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307669 Inspection date 27/11/2009 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her three children, two of whom are grown up, in St Annes on the Fylde Coast. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification. The areas of the house used for childminding are the lounge, dining room, kitchen, ground floor cloakroom, two rooms on the first floor plus the bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden where children may play. The family have a cat and a dog. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. Currently there are three children on roll who are in the early years age range. 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

The childminder recognises the uniqueness and individual needs of the children that she cares for by gathering relevant information from parents at the beginning of the childminding arrangement. 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; these are shared with parents. She also has a system in place to record observations and assessments of the children’s achievements in their learning. She has completed a self-assessment of her provision, identifying areas for development. She is proactive in her approach to training, as she completes training provided by the local authority, to ensure she actively works to maintain 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; introduce a system to track their achievements across the six areas of learning  continue to develop the links with parents and enable them to contribute to children's records of learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility with regard to safeguarding children. She is committed to the review of her knowledge and understanding with regard to children’s safety. Detailed safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, these are effectively implemented to ensure children are safe when in her care. She also maintains rigorous risk assessments for her home and for all outings that she takes the children on; as a result the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures children are safe in her care. All required records are in place confirming that the children are cared for effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a procedure to follow that ensures children are collected by persons known to the childminder, and who have authorised parental responsibility. Toys and equipment are deployed effectively, giving children easy access. Children can therefore make good choices in their play and learning. For example, children can access the good range of toys and games from the low storage boxes, which are readily available. The childminder is committed to providing a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She demonstrates this by having detailed information available 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 as she provides both verbal and written feedback each day. However, at present, parents do not contribute to the children’s learning records as they are

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the early years provision

not providing details of the children's learning experiences in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her practice through ongoing training; she has completed current first aid training, and attends short courses offered by the local authority. She recognises her strengths and considers ways to improve. She is committed to embedding ambition and driving improvement as she looks for ways to develop and improve outcomes for the children she cares for.

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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 role play with the dolls and the prams. The young children enjoy the activity centre where they enjoy opening doors and investigating all aspects of the resource. The children enjoy playing with the cars and construction toys, and they also enjoy the books, particularly when the childminder reads a story and they cuddle up to her. Children enjoy sorting shapes and playing in the outdoors. The childminder ensures that she provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play; children enjoy activities such as planting in the garden, and making cards and pictures to take home. They also enjoy baking with the childminder, where she encourages children to learn about measuring and recognise numbers.

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and outcomes for children

The children presently cared for enjoy a good variety of learning experiences, which cover the six areas of learning; they enjoy painting and model making. They also have access to a good selection of books as they develop their knowledge and skills in communication, language and literacy. Children have good opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as they develop their physical skills. For example, they access the rear garden and the childminder takes them on outings to the beach and the local park. 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 information about their learning and development, and the childminder has begun to identify the children’s next steps in their learning, as she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observes them at play. However, at present she does not have in place a system

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and outcomes for children

to track their learning across the curriculum towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their personal skills as they enjoy regular visits to groups in the community where they enjoy socialising with other children. They feel safe in the care of the childminder because she is kind and caring; 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. Furthermore, the children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety by picking up toys and staying close to her when on outings. She 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 also has the required equipment to ensure that children feel safe in her care; for example, fire safety equipment. Children have the opportunity to practise the

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and outcomes for children

evacuation procedure to familiarise themselves with the evacuation of the home at speed. Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating, they enjoy healthy home cooked meals and snacks which include their 'five a day' of 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 to share and take turns. She 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 access the curriculum across each area of learning. They develop their problem solving skills as they learn to count, playing games and counting every day items and toys. They are beginning to develop an understanding about how to use technology as she has a number of resources that assist this area of learning and preparation for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches children about our wider world by providing various resources, including books and small world toys. As a result of the commitment to improvement, the good range of resources and the childminder’s dedication, children enjoy their learning and development in a 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 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 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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