Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY385701 Inspection date 07/01/2010 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 2008. She lives in a village located between Preston and Lancaster in Lancashire, with her young son and her father. The home is a recently constructed bungalow with enclosed garden to the side and rear. Apart from the main bedroom, study and utility room, all of the property is registered to accommodate minded children. The home is close to local shops a school and nature walks. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification and has experience of working in day care settings with children under five years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. Currently there is one child on roll 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

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. Consequently, children settle well and enjoy their time with her. The childminder has in place policies and procedures to ensure she meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has yet to complete a self-evaluation of her provision to help her identify areas for improvement. She is committed to maintaining continuous improvement for the children in her care as she attends training to update her knowledge and skills for the benefit of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system of assessment to use what children already know to plan for the next steps in their learning  develop the use of self-evaluation to reflect on practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. She has in place the required policies and procedures to assist her in this process. She also has available the relevant contact details should there be any concerns. She has recorded risk assessments for the home and for outings. Systems are in place to ensure children are collected by persons known to her with authorised parental responsibility. Resources, which include toys and equipment are suitable and organised to allow children easy access. The childminder ensures an inclusive service is offered for all children and their families. Parents receive information about the service offered through discussion and the policies available. Parents are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informed daily about their children’s day, including the activities they have enjoyed.

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the early years provision

Parents provide her with information about their children, which ensures she can meet their individual needs. She has begun to develop observations and assessments of children’s learning, although she has yet to identify their next steps and track their learning towards the early learning goals. The childminder is motivated to improve her practice, as she has attended several training events. For example, she has completed short courses offered by the local authority. She is aware of her strengths and is beginning to consider ways to improve, although she has yet to begin a self-evaluation. She works with parents to ensure that the care she provides reflects the children's home environment as they develop and learn. She is aware of the requirement to develop effective partnerships when children attend other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled as they enjoy their time with the childminder, who provides a suitable range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy small world toys, construction resources and cars and books. Children also enjoy shape sorters, building blocks and tactile toys. Children may access the outdoor area, where they enjoy physical play using several outdoor toys. The childminder also takes children out in the community, where they meet other children and enjoy visits to the park.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe in her care because she has in place good systems to ensure their continued safety. 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 to help her to pick up toys. Children are also encouraged to stay close to the childminder when 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 also practise the emergency evacuation procedure to raise their awareness about leaving the building quickly when there is danger.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to learn about healthy eating, for example, they enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit. Meals are home cooked and are planned around children’s preferences. 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 ensures children develop a 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 develop their language and their problem solving skills, as they play games and investigate the environment and resources. Children learn about our wider world through access to resources that share other cultures and they enjoy books and pictures that reflect this aspect of their learning. Consequently, children enjoy their learning

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and outcomes for children

and development in the care of the childminder. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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