Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY318865 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Cynthia Walker

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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 in 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Mill Hill, near Blackburn. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which includes the lounge and kitchen. The children access the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently minding four children, of whom two are in the early years age group. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group. The family has one cat.

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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

The children enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder provides a variety of learning opportunities to ensure the children make sufficient progress in their learning and development, and she is beginning to observe them. There are effective arrangements to ensure the children's health and safety is maintained which includes an appropriate understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder effectively works in partnership with parents to ensure the needs of children are met by valuing each child as a unique individual. The childminder has a suitable understanding of the effectiveness of her provision and some targets to secure further improvement have been identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the methods of completing observational assessment in order to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development  review the policy on safeguarding children to include procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder is appropriately maintaining the documentation which is required for the safe and efficient management of her provision and promotes most children's needs. She has completed relevant training and has a suitable understanding of child protection to appropriately safeguard the children in her care. However, her written safeguarding policy does not include procedures to follow if there is an allegation made against the childminder. Risk assessments ensure effective action is taken to manage and eliminate danger to children within This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has sufficiently evaluated her provision to identify her strengths and weaknesses and has highlighted some areas for improvement. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed, for example, she completes regular checks on all smoke alarms within the home. The creative organisation of her home encourages purposeful play and exploration, and the good range of accessible resources supports the children's learning and development. The childminder has detailed discussions with parents and carers which enables her to establish a clear understanding of the children's backgrounds and needs. Appropriate liaison with other providers delivering the education programme ensures children receive continuity in their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive relationships with both parents and carers. She provides clear information within her professional file, which includes a wide range of policies and procedures, as children begin their care to ensure their needs are met. Information about the children's achievements and daily routines are shared with parents and carers verbally at the end of the day. Parents and carers are positive in their evaluation of the childminder's practice stating that the services she provides are excellent, and that she is competent and attentive.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the learning and development requirements and sufficiently promotes the children's learning, and their social, physical and economic well-being. The children's development files include photographs of their involvement in a variety of activities and some description of their achievements, which is linked to the early learning goals; however, the children's next steps in learning are not identified. The childminder has a suitable understanding of the individual children's development and introduces activities that reflect their interests which are complemented by activities at toddler group. However, the planned activities do not consistently reflect information about the individual children's future learning to ensure activities sufficiently support their progress across all the areas of learning. A well equipped and welcoming environment reflects the children's backgrounds and wider community.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a warm and positive relationship with the children and effectively supports their learning as she listens and actively interacts during activities. The children make independent choices and are active in instigating their own learning. They use good imagination as they become involved in a creative activity making a simple musical instrument. The children concentrate well as they carefully put small pasta pieces into a plastic bottle and cover the bottle with foil, before completing the task by gluing a variety of different shapes around the sides. They show sustained interest in the gluing activity and extend the experience by covering a cardboard tube and a piece of paper with assorted materials. The children enjoy looking at books and actively interact and contribute to the narrative while listening to stories being read. As a result of an aspect within the book, the

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and outcomes for children

children use language to explain that a wasp had tried to eat their pancake and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 describe how another child had been stung by a wasp. The children confidently count the number of reels on the table and show pictures of fish which they have used as a counting exercise.

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and outcomes for children

The children are secure and confident within the home as a result of the good interaction from the childminder and stability of the routines. They behave well in response to the calm and sensitive interaction from the childminder and have a good awareness of the expectations within the home. The introduction of simple road safety while going to school and on outings encourages the children to develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe. Visits to the park where they can access large equipment, such as the clambering net and slide encourages the children to be active and begin to understand the benefits of physical activity. The children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and lunches which encourages them to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink. 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 3 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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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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