Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY257530 Inspection date 21/06/2010 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 2003. She lives with her husband and one child aged 12 years, in a house in Colne, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the house are available to children. There is an enclosed garden available at the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder is close to local amenities, including a library, 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 whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding five children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and 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. The family has two pet cats.

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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

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where their individual needs are met and they are all included. Children access a comprehensive range of resources which promote equality and diversity. The childminder supports children to make good progress towards the early learning goals, although the assessment records for children are in the early stages. Links with other settings that children attend are not fully established. The childminder is committed to improving her skills by regularly attending training courses as part of maintaining continuous improvement but the evaluation of her service is not formalised.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's assessment records to clearly show children's progress towards the early learning goals  build links with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage so there is continuity and coherence in children's learning  develop further the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for future development.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has implemented an effective policy and procedure which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informing parents of her responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and for all outings undertaken with children. Children are well supervised and the premises are secure to ensure that unauthorised persons cannot gain access to children. The childminder has devised and implemented her own policies and procedures and these are of a good standard and cover all elements of her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is welcoming and child-orientated. A good range of play materials and furniture are provided enabling children to play comfortably. Equipment and resources fully promote equality and diversity. They are of a good quality and suitable for the ages of the children to support their learning and development. Children confidently and independently help themselves to resources they want to play with and tidy them away when they have finished. This helps to build their sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very flexible and sensitive to the needs of working parents and works hard to ensure effective partnerships with them. There is daily communication with parents, in respect of children's day-to-day well-being, although systems for sharing information about children's learning and development is yet to be fully established.

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the early years provision

Links with other providers where children attend more than one setting are developing as the childminder communicates verbally with staff at the nurseries and shares general information about the children. However, systems for ensuring that there is continuity and coherence in children's learning are not yet established. The childminder has experience of working with specialist agencies and other professionals in order to provide effective inclusive care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively seeks views of parents by providing questionnaires for them to complete and information from their input is used to improve the service. The childminder has a strong commitment to continuous improvement and has continued to maintain her training and professional development by achieving the level 3 qualification in childcare. Although the childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement, there are no systems for self-evaluation.

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and outcomes for children

Children have individual record of assessment files which contain a collection of photographs and observations carried out by the childminder to identify the next steps in the child's learning. However, these are in the early stages and do not fully show children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children are happy and secure with the childminder who cares for them with warmth and kindness. They move confidently around their environment which provides them with opportunities for learning across all areas. Children are able to freely access toys and resources, which are kept at low level to encourage independence. They take part in a range of interesting, stimulating activities and have good levels of self- confidence and approach their play independently showing good attitudes to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning new skills. They are engaged and play well together because the

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and outcomes for children

childminder supports their developing interpersonal skills through activities which encourage them to share and take turns.

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and outcomes for children

There are good strategies in place to promote children's language development and their speaking skills are successfully supported. Songs and rhymes help children practise and play with sounds and are part of their everyday routines. Activities are enriched by the childminder who introduces new words and re- affirms their existing knowledge. They are encouraged to develop confidence and use their skills in a range of different situations. Jigsaws and puzzles provide children with opportunities to problem solve. They are learning to count and recognise numbers through everyday routines and activities. They thoroughly enjoy creative activities, such as playing with play dough at the low table or with train tracks at floor level. Their physical development and coordination is well supported as they play with outdoor resources in the local residents play area. They use the nearby children's centre facilities where they have many

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to socialise with other groups of children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the natural world they live in and participate in observing the lifecycle of caterpillars and tadpoles as they transform themselves into butterflies and frogs. They are encouraged to ask questions and are learning about how things work through first-hand experiences. They are learning to respect each other's individuality and embrace both their own and other communities by celebrating a variety of cultural festivals from around the world. They learn to stay safe by the childminder reminding them about using the pelican crossing properly and younger children wear wrist straps for added safety when walking. Children's behaviour is managed fairly and consistently, which helps them to understand boundaries and supports them in becoming more able to work co- operatively with others. Furthermore, their achievements are displayed on the walls as part of recognising their efforts and this helps to boost their confidence

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of a healthy lifestyle as they have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They receive a good balance of meals to meet their dietary requirements and some parents provide a packed lunch for their children, who are also provided with fresh fruit for snack and have free access to drinking water throughout the day. Children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and are provided with paper towels to dry their hands in the bathroom to prevent the risk of cross infection. 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 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 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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