Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396460 Inspection date 17/03/2010 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and her stepson aged 14 years in Lytham St Annes. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. Family pets include a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures their needs are met through sufficiently monitoring their development. As a result, children make adequate progress towards the early learning goals. Children's welfare is well supported through well-implemented safety procedures. Effective partnerships with parents and others mean that children's individual needs are adequately met and supported. The childminder has a commitment to improvement and recent developments have been well placed. As a result, the outcomes for children have been enhanced.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon current systems for monitoring children's progress through identifying clear starting points and next steps clearly linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage; show how all areas of learning are equally covered and share this information more regularly with parents  recognise the value of continuous quality improvement through, for example, using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality assurance processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding issues. There is a comprehensive policy document in place to support her and she has attended training to ensure her knowledge base is current. The home, both inside and out, and outings are well risk assessed. Any identified hazards are minimised. All required documentation is in place, fully up to date and well organised to allow ease of access should the need arise. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is committed to continuous development and has made suitable progress since registration. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage has increased and she is more confident in putting this into practice. The childminder has no formal systems for monitoring the progress of her provision though makes changes based on informal evaluation and parental feedback

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the early years provision

through questionnaires. Parents requested, for example, that the diary book be reinstated and this has been acted upon.

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the early years provision

There is a wide range of age-appropriate resources which are well organised to allow ease of access. Less mobile children are surrounded by toys and are able to independently access their favourites, pointing if they cannot reach. The childminder knows the preferences of the children and uses musical toys to provide distraction where necessary. The childminder deploys herself effectively to make sure the children's needs are met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed close links with parents. They receive a wealth of information about the setting at the beginning. They receive daily feedback in the form of chats and text messages throughout the day, keeping them informed of significant events. The childminder is very flexible to the needs of the parents. Information from other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage has been incorporated into activities at the childminder's home. This provides continuity of care and ensures the children's needs are fully met.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They have secure attachments to her and look to her for reassurance when a stranger comes to visit. They enjoy independent access to a wide range of activities and the childminder keeps a close distance to offer assistance when needed. Monitoring systems have been sufficiently well implemented and include photographs of the children playing and some observational notes. Starting points and next steps are not always clear as they do not fully link to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Not all areas of learning have been included in the folder so far and parents' comments about progress are not fully included. This means that children's progress is not always effectively tracked.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and content in the childminder's care. They snuggle up close for a story and early conversation is supported through the childminder mimicking babbling. Children point to toys of their choice and make sounds to express their desires when the childminder gets it wrong. They enjoy feeling different textures in books and pressing buttons on toys to see the reaction. This develops their hand–eye coordination, mathematical understanding and ability to use programmable toys. They wonder at the natural world on their visits to the zoo, the aquarium and the local park. They listen to the birds and have their attention drawn to the trees. They wiggle as the music plays on a toy. The childminder enhances this by singing and knows that music is one child's favourite activity. Children enjoy being messy, creating masterpieces with paint which are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

displayed in the hallway. This shows that their work is valued. They have regular opportunities to be active and enjoy playing in the outdoor area or going to local indoor play areas and toddler groups. This also enhances their social skills and develops their confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure with the childminder. She tidies away toys so that babies who are learning to walk do not trip and talks to the children continuously about what she is doing. Children eat a wide range of healthy meals and snacks, including sandwiches, with fruit and yoghurt for dessert. The childminder is meticulous about hand washing and talks to the children about why they need to do this. This increases their understanding of good hygiene practices from a young age. Children enjoy the praise they receive from the childminder, responding with smiles and giggles. This increases their confidence and self-assurance that they are special and clever. 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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