Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307748 Inspection date 05/07/2010 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 1992. She lives in an established residential area of Penwortham in Preston. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes children to parent and toddler groups, local parks, shops and places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding three children in the early years age group. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.15am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the local authority Sure Start group. The childminder provides support to newly registered childminders.

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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

The childminder provides an inclusive and very welcoming environment, where the uniqueness of each child is recognised. Children benefit from the childminder's genuine commitment to supporting the individual needs. This ensures that their individual needs are met well. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a wide variety of experiences. Welfare requirements are effectively promoted and the children are protected from harm. However, records for risk assessments are not always available for inspection. The childminder works closely with parents to support the children's care and development. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement by considering areas for further development; this ensures that outcomes for children are promoted well.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct risk assessment regularly to identify aspects of the environment which the child may come into contact, including all types of outings. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/07/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  build upon systems to gather children's starting points and further develop the observation, assessment and planning for individual children, using identified learning priorities to inform future planning  provide additional resources to help children find out and identify the uses of everyday technology and use information and communication technology and programmable toys to support their learning

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the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated in her role and places strong emphasis on protecting children and ensuring their safety. She has an excellent knowledge of safeguarding issues and of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children's welfare. Required documentation is nearly all in place and well organised in the main. All policies and procedures required to promote the safe and effective management of the setting are in place. Daily visual checks of all areas and equipment to promote children's safety is in place. However, the childminder does not have a record of risk assessments; this is a breach of the specific legal requirements. Opportunities for children to learn about fire safety are provided and the childminder discusses aspects of safety with them to help raise children's awareness of keeping themselves safe. Effective steps are taken to promote children’s good health and well-being, to prevent the spread of infection and to

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has positively addressed the recommendation at the previous inspection, which helps to safeguard children. She identifies realistic targets to bring about improved outcomes for children. She regularly attends training and meets with other childminders, in order to share and learn from experiences. She has used training and advice from the local authority to good effect, particularly with regard to planning and assessment.

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the early years provision

The childminder invites parents and children for introductory sessions and gathers relevant information required to meet the children's individual needs, for example, dietary and health requirements. However, the systems to find out about children's starting points in relation to their learning and development are not fully robust, and parents are not actively involved in their child's learning, which means they cannot contribute to their child's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is warm and very caring and children respond to this nurturing positively. They are happy in their play and laugh and smile a lot. Although the childminder does not currently work with children with additional needs, she fully understands the importance of working with parents and other professionals. Policy statements show an inclusive, anti-discriminatory approach to the childminder's practice. Partnerships with parents are highly valued and reflected in the quality of information and documentation maintained and shared with parents. Children’s play opportunities are promoted well through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. For example, children move around the space This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently, accessing the wide range of resources and making independent choices about their learning and play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She provides a wide range of activities and resources which cover all areas of learning well. As a result, children remain actively engaged in activities throughout the day and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder records observations of the children, and activities are planned based upon their interests. However, they are not yet used to help identify learning priorities for the children to help in planning activities, to encourage and support them to take the next steps in their learning and development within the expectations set out in the framework.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident and most of all have lots of fun and enjoyment. The childminder skilfully promotes children's well-being and promotes their active involvement in their own learning. The designated playroom is planned so that it has accessible, interesting and stimulating resources available for all children. This enables them to access resources freely, encouraging independence, choice and decision making. The childminder interacts with the children constantly. She stimulates their curiosity and uses open questions well to encourage their language for thinking. For example, she asks children to reflect, 'Can you remember what the swans were doing?', and, 'What did we see on the farm?' Good use is made of spontaneous learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language is well fostered through conversation with the childminder, who listens carefully and responds appropriately. They develop a love of books and are eager to share their favourite book with the visitor. Children have good opportunities to develop their creative skills, for example, they make Father’s day cards and paint pictures. They are supported by the childminder as they try to mix paints to make more colours. Children are provided with good opportunities to learn and develop an awareness of the diverse culture in which they live, because the childminder has a clear understanding of differing cultures. The indoor space and the garden, and visits to community groups, the local market and trips to places of interest, such as the bird sanctuary and the local fruit market, all allow children to discover new environments and promote highly stimulating experiences. This provides children with inspiring and challenging opportunities to

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises the importance of fresh air and exercise and makes good use of outdoor area on a daily basis and, therefore, children's physical skills are well developed. They competently handle small tools and pencils, and good use is made of the garden area for catching throwing, playing football and playing on sit-and-ride toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into the childminder's home and are valued as individuals; This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they behave well and display good manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Children are well supported by the childminder, who has clear house rules in place to help children to begin to learn right from wrong. This is combined with lots of praise and encouragement and, consequently, children's self-esteem is promoted. Children show respect for one another as their social skills develop, enhancing their positive disposition to learning. However, information and communication technology skills are not used well as learning opportunities, during play and routine, to promote children’s learning consistently. 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 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 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 30/07/2010

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