Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY369423 Inspection date 04/02/2010 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 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 2008 to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She lives on a new housing development in Leyland near Preston. She is currently minding six children of whom three are in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The facilities available to minded children include the lounge and play room on the ground floor and the dining kitchen and cloakroom on the first floor. There is also an enclosed outdoor rear garden. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops and parks. She also attends local toddler groups. 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 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. She shares information with parents on a regular basis. She has begun to complete a self-evaluation of her provision, although, she has yet to identify areas for improvement. She is committed to maintaining continuous improvement for the children in her care, as she has attended 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?

 continue to develop the links with parents and other carers, to enable them to contribute to children's records of learning and development  further develop the self-evaluation in order to help to promote continuous improvement to the provision and outcomes for children  continue to develop the observation and assessment of children’s learning by ensuring that a system is in place to track children’s learning towards the early learning goals.

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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 in place the relevant contact details should there be any concerns. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She has developed risk assessments to promote the safety of children in her care. Systems are in place that ensure children are collected by persons that have authorised parental responsibility. Resources, which include toys and equipment, are suitable and organised to allow children choice and easy access. The childminder has begun to develop observations and assessments of children’s learning. She is developing her skills to identify the next steps in their learning, although, she does not at present have a system in place to track their learning towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that 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 informed daily about their children’s day, including the activities they have enjoyed. Parents provide the childminder with information about their children, which ensures she can meet their individual needs. The childminder is motivated to improve her practice, as she has attended several training events. For example, she is presently working towards the National Vocational Qualification in childcare at level 3. She has also attended short courses offered by the local authority. She has begun the self- evaluation process, but at present this is not in sufficient detail to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement that will impact on the practice for the benefit of the children in her care. She works with parents to ensure that

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the early years provision

the care she provides reflects the children's home environment as they develop and learn. However, at present, parents and other providers provide limited comments about children’s learning in other settings, to enable the childminder to use this information to plan for children’s learning in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder, who provides a good range of toys and activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children enjoy small world toys, construction resources, cars and books. Children also enjoy building blocks, the small cars and trucks, and tactile toys. Children have opportunities to play in the outdoors, both in the rear garden and when the childminder takes them to the park, where they enjoy physical play. The childminder also takes children out in the community, where they meet other children.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe in her care because she has suitable systems in place to ensure their continued safety. She uses risk assessments to identify any potential hazards and ensures she teaches children about keeping themselves safe. For example, they are encouraged not to run in the house and to help her tidy away toys. Children are also encouraged to stay close to the childminder when on outings. Consequently, children are safeguarded when in her care. The childminder has available the required equipment to ensure that children are safeguarded. For example, she has 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. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children adopt healthy lifestyles with the childminder as she encourages them to

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and outcomes for children

learn about healthy eating. For example, they enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. Meals are home cooked and are planned around children’s preferences. During the inspection, children enjoyed pizza and beans, followed by yoghurt. 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 towards others by encouraging them, for example, to share and take turns. Children are developing skills for the future because the childminder ensures that, as they play games and investigate, they develop their language and problem solving skills. They also have opportunities to learn through technology as they enjoy the electronic games. Children learn about our wider world through access to resources that share other cultures. For example, they enjoy stories and games

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and outcomes for children

that share aspects of our wider world. Children enjoy their learning and development in the care of the childminder, as she is kind, caring and takes the time to identify their individual interests to enhance their learning and development when in her care. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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