Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 309170 Inspection date 05/03/2010 Inspector Rasmik Parmar

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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 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.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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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

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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 since 2001. She lives with her husband and adult child in a house in Accrington, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor is available for to children. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is close to local amenities, including parks, playgroups and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are happy and settled as the childminder maintains a secure and safe environment. The childminder sufficiently promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. However, ongoing observational assessments for each child to inform future planning are in the early stages. Partnerships with parents ensure relevant information is shared to meet children's individual needs in order to recognise the uniqueness of each child. However, information about children's progress towards the early learning goals is not shared with parents. Partnerships with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) have not yet been established. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is limited due to systems for self-evaluation which are in infancy. Members of the family who have reached 17 years of age have not completed the necessary vetting procedures.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure all adults complete the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks (Suitability of adults). 19/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observational assessments for each child to identify areas for improvement and inform future planning  provide parents with useful information about how well their child is progressing towards the early learning goals  established links with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Stage to ensure there is consistency and coherence in children's learning  develop the self-evaluation system to identify areas for on-going improvements to the quality of the provision.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately by the childminder who has systems in place to promote their safety and well-being. She has a suitable understanding of her responsibilities for child protection and the procedures to follow to safeguard children. However, members of the family who have reached 17 years of age have not completed the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks to confirm that they are suitable to be in contact with children. This is a breach of a requirement under the Childcare Register. Risk assessments are completed to keep children safe and secure within the home and on outings. The childminder maintains a safe environment and supervises children closely at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the home environment well to promote children's learning. Children have easy access to a good range and variety of toys and play materials, which supports their enjoyment and achievements. Resources are clean, well maintained, age appropriate and include toys that reflect equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder's system for self-evaluation is basic in order to identify her strengths and areas which need improving in order to maintaining continuous improvement for the overall benefit of children under care. She has updated her training with regards to the EYFS to help her meet the learning and development requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. She provides them with policies and procedures on admission to support them in making an informed choice. Parents provide details of their children's needs and routines, and agreements are signed to promote consistency. Parental consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained from parents so that the childminder is able to provide the necessary consent to the emergency services in case a situation arises. Parents are kept closely informed through daily discussion about their child. However, information about the child's learning development is not shared with parents in order to keep them informed about their child's progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Links with other EYFS provisions have not been established. Children attend a local Pre-School and the childminder has been involved in participating in activities organised by them. However, information is not shared between the settings to ensure consistency and coherence in children's learning. The childminder does not currently care for children with English as an additional language or children with additional needs but she understands the importance of working closely with parents and with other agencies to ensure that she is able to meet such children's individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains a large diary to record children's achievements and she is in the early stages of making observational assessments so that further development needs can be identified. Children benefit from a good range of activities that are available to them in the childminder's home and during outings as shown in the photographic albums.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder interacts well with children in their freely chosen play and she is warm and caring towards them. Children are able to independently access the good range of age appropriate toys and resources. They are well behaved and have a good sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good awareness of maintaining children's health and safety. She helps children to stay safe by promoting fire safety through topic based activities and through artwork produced by children. They also learn about road safety and the need to stay close to the childminder. All required written permissions are in place for the childminder to administer medication and seek any necessary medical advice or treatment, enhancing children's well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is well maintained and she reduces the risk of cross- infection by encouraging children to follow simple hygiene routines and ensures they wash their hands before mealtimes. Children are provided with plenty of water throughout the day as part of a healthy diet, which includes fresh fruit for snack and freshly cooked meals that are balanced.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language is developed as the childminder talks to them about their play continually. They have good opportunities to learn about numeracy, technology and to problem solve, such as hearing the childminder count in their play and attempting to fix constructional equipment together. They use their imagination in creative activities in which they model with dough, draw and paint. Children collect leaves, feed wildlife such as birds and watch the lifecycle of butterflies and tadpoles. They also play imaginatively with small world toys, role play and constructional activities, and listen to music. Children enjoy a good range of outdoor activities in the parks as they play in areas dedicated for children. 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 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 3 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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