Patel, Nasreen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY308741 Inspection date 03/03/2010 Inspector Marina Anna Howarth

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three daughters in the Queens Park area of Blackburn. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which includes toilet facilities. There is easy access leading to the premises and all areas of the home are adapted to accept wheelchairs. Children are taken to the local park for outside play opportunities.

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Description of the childminding

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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local library and park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. Care is available from 8am until 5pm each weekday.

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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 cared for in a safe and stimulating environment where they are given opportunities to experience a wide range of activities. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a range of developmentally appropriate activities which enable children to make steady progress in their learning, although systems for assessments are in the early stages of development. The majority of the required documentation is in place and effective systems ensure that parents are kept fully informed about their child's progress. The childminder is committed to further develop her provision. She has taken appropriate action to address recommendations made at the previous inspection and she continually evaluates her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop and monitor the planning, observation and assessment systems so that children's next steps are clearly identified  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. Arrangements for safeguarding are robust, regularly reviewed and carefully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 managed. The childminder has attended relevant training and implemented effective procedures for identifying any children at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies. Children have access to a welcoming home environment where space and resources are organised well and their safety remains paramount as the childminder conducts thorough risk assessments before the children arrive. However, although risk assessments are conducted for individual outings, there are no records in place. The premises are secure at all times and there is an intercom system to enable the childminder to identify visitors before they gain access. Stringent collection procedures ensure that children are

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the early years provision

only permitted to leave with named persons the childminder has been notified of. Children are developing a good awareness of their own safety as the childminder acts as a positive role model. They are encouraged to tidy up after themselves and are aware they should be seated when eating to avoid choking. Children also participate in regular emergency evacuation procedures. As a result, they are aware of the possible dangers of fire and are able to evacuate the premises safely and calmly, and are familiar and confident with the routine.

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the early years provision

The childminder implements a self-evaluation system which she reviews on a regular basis. She has attended a variety of training, the knowledge of which gained, she implements into her practice. She has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to implement her knowledge by informally planning activities based on the children's interests and has created individual learning journals for each child. However, assessment systems are still in the process of development and do not clearly illustrate how children are making progress across all areas of learning. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to continual improvement and professional development. She has addressed all recommendations made at the previous inspection. For example, she has increased the range of toys and resources and provided more opportunities for children to access creative play experiences, such as painting, water and sand

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the early years provision

play. As a result, she is able to identify her weaknesses and address those appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents ensuring children's needs are met effectively. She regularly asks parents and carers for their views via daily discussions and issuing questionnaires and ensures that the information gained is used to inform important decisions about the provision. Policies and procedures are discussed and shared during the induction process and are available at all times. Information is also displayed on a noticeboard. Daily verbal communication keeps parents informed of their child's progress, what activities they have been involved with and any other relevant information. The childminder has developed links within the local community and communicates with other providers supporting children. She visits Sure Start centres, the local library and a childminder's support group. She has established links with the local schools, supporting the transition process and providing consistency of care.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well settled in the childminder's care because she offers a warm, loving and stimulating environment. As a result, children are confident and express their needs well. They have access to a good range of resources and experiences suitable to meet their individual needs. Resources are organised effectively and located at low level, enabling children to self-select toys of their choice. As a result, their independence is promoted and they are interested in their choice of activity. Close relationships are evident between the children and childminder. She engages happily in their play and there is a good balance of child- initiated and adult-led activities. She obtains all the relevant information during the induction process and follows the children's routines which enables them to rest, eat and play when required. As a result, children are content and relaxed in the setting as consistency of care is provided.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an informal approach to play planning. She is flexible and always considers their individual interests ensuring that play is more meaningful. Children are given opportunities to participate in a variety of creative activities, such as painting, sticking and water play. They proudly show off their paintings, exclaiming the paint is wet. They enjoy listening to music and dancing and they engage in a variety of role play activities. For example, they dress up in different shoes and walk around the home pointing to their pretty footwear. They play with cleaning utensils and happily sweep the floor and dust the table, instructing the childminder to do the same. The childminder actively supports children in developing their independence as they are encouraged to put on their own coats and shoes. They move around the environment with confidence and are fully aware of the location of different resources and help to tidy items away when they

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and outcomes for children

have finished playing. Children are developing a concept of time as the childminder discusses and follows familiar routines during the day. Children understand that when it is snack time they wash their hands and sit down. They part from their parents with confidence and understand they will see them later. Children learn to problem solve as they complete puzzles and observe picture sequence. The childminder asks open questions, encouraging them to think for themselves. Younger children are able to identify picture cards correctly and are becoming familiar with the alphabet as the childminder helps them identify familiar letters. Children are learning that print has meaning as they engage in looking at a variety of books. Younger children enjoy looking at catalogues where they successfully make connections with the items they see. For example, when they see a food mixer, they make a whirring noise and point to the ceiling lights when they see a

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and outcomes for children

picture of light fittings. Children are learning about diversity and the wider world as they access resources which depict positive images of race, culture and disability. The childminder offers simple positive explanations of why people are different, unique and special. Children are given opportunities to participate in the celebration of different festivals; they taste a variety of foods from different countries and are familiar with mobility issues and users of wheelchairs.

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and outcomes for children

Children display confidence in communicating their needs; they point to items and give simple instructions using language and gestures. For example, they state 'you This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 come and sit here, look at this'. They enjoy engaging the childminder in their activities and the childminder continually presents herself at their level; she sits on the floor and follows their instructions. Although the childminder is skilled in interacting positively with the children and demonstrates a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, systems for assessment are still in the process of being developed and contain little information. As a result, it is not clearly evident how much progress children are making and their next steps in learning are not clearly identified. The childminder uses observations to plan children's activities and is developing systems to ensure that activities provided cover the six

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy lifestyles as they engage in a variety of physical activities, such as climbing apparatus in the park, discovering different ways of moving their bodies and going on regular walks where they explore nature. They happily demonstrate their skills in throwing and catching as they play with the ball. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and uses this time as a relaxed, social occasion. Robust hygiene procedures ensure that the risk of cross infection is minimal. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their personal hygiene, such as putting their hand over their mouth when they cough or sneeze and are able to access washing facilities independently. Children are introduced to clear boundaries from the settling in process and simple explanations are offered to discourage unwanted behaviour. The childminder uses appropriate strategies which are suitable for the age and development of individual

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and outcomes for children

children. They respond well to methods of distraction and praise resulting in predominately good behaviour. 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 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 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 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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