Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317251 Inspection date 21/06/2010 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and adult child in Greystoke, Cumbria. Close to parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor, except for the conservatory is used for childminding. Minded children also have use of an upstairs bedroom and bathroom. There is an enclosed area of the rear garden available for outside play.

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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 which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding 14 children, of which 10 children are in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to toddler groups regularly. She is registered by Ofsted on 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 provides a warm, welcoming, homely environment, where children settle easily and parents are provided with a flexible childminding service. Children’s individual needs are suitably met by this helpful childminder, who has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that resources are easily accessible to meet children’s individual needs, and activities meet children’s interests, age and ability so that children remain interested and stimulated to learn, to make suitable progress in their development. Most of the required documents and procedures are maintained to ensure children’s safety and well-being. However, there is one breach of the specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage regarding suitable premises, environment and equipment. The childminder has made a start to the self-evaluation process and made improvements to her practice since her last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure a clearly defined procedure for the emergency evacuation of the premises is maintained (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 28/06/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 devise systems for obtaining children's starting points and observation and assessment of children's learning to identify the next steps to inform planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  encourage parents to become involved in their children's learning and how they can help with this learning at home  provide children with appropriate basic eating utensils at mealtimes  devise systems for evaluating the childminding service provided and involve parents and children in the evaluation process  obtain written parental permission to take children on outings  devise systems for contacting other settings children attend, in order to complement the learning taking place  complete regular fire drills with the children and record the details in a fire log book.

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the early years provision

Children are generally safeguarded in this warm and welcoming childminding environment. They feel safe and secure through the close supervision of the childminder as they follow the regular routine of the day. The childminder has a suitable understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection matters and has recently attended training delivered by the local authority on this subject. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children while in her home, therefore, all visitors sign her book and they are never left unsupervised with the children. She also makes sure children are kept safe through constant supervision when visiting family members and on outings in the community. Record keeping documents are available to detail any accident, incident or existing injury to children in her care. However, a breach in the specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage has been made because a clearly defined evacuation

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the early years provision

plan of the premises is not maintained. Children do not practise evacuating the premises and a log for such events is missing.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a start in maintaining a set of written policies and procedures. She has developed a written safeguarding policy and complaint policy which are available for parents. Children are kept safe and secure indoors and outside. The childminder has completed risk assessments for all areas children use to help prevent accidents and a risk assessment is completed for individual outings, this includes visiting elderly relatives. Children have freedom of movement within the home, therefore, they benefit from the childminder using the available space effectively to meet their needs. She enables children to make choices and decisions in their play by providing a selection of resources that are age appropriate, meet their interests and contribute to their development and learning.

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the early years provision

Children are familiar with their daily routine and settle easily in this relaxed environment. The childminder positively engages with parents on arrival and collection times, where they verbally exchange information. Children benefit from her positive relationship with parents and the flexible service she provides. Initial meetings with parents ensure that the business arrangements and the individual care requirements for each child are discussed to ensure continuity of care. Parental permission is obtained from parents at this meeting to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency, however, written permission for outings is not obtained. Although the childminder knows the children well, there is limited This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information obtained from parents about the developmental starting points of each child. There is limited information made available to parents about the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage, to enable parents to support their children’s learning at home. Some children attend other settings. The childminder has not made links with these settings to ensure that she complements the learning taking place.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made some improvements to her practice since she was last inspected. She has attended a designated childminder course and has obtained a new first aid certificate. All the previous actions raised have been completed and she has started to look at the self-evaluation process by making some notes on her everyday practice. Parents are complementary of her service, however, they are not encouraged to make suggestions or comment on her practice to help evaluate the service. Children play well together. They are well behaved and thrive on the childminder's positive behaviour management strategies and praise.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and contented. They are provided with a suitable selection of resources and play opportunities that meet their individual needs and interests and generally supports their learning and development. The childminder provides activities that are age appropriate for the children attending and supports them as they play, generally covering all the six areas of learning. Children are very capable and articulate. However, there is no formal planning, observation, assessment or identification of the next steps in children’s learning to inform future practice. Therefore, it is not clear how much progress the children have made since starting with her. The childminder extends children’s language and communication skills during activities by introducing new words and concepts while reading stories and looking at books. She has developed a close bond with the children. They are confident to ask for alternative activities and for the childminder’s help. Children

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and outcomes for children

enjoy playing picture matching games and follow the childminder’s instruction as they play. She encourages number and colour recognition and reinforces children’s learning by extending their thinking skills. There are some play opportunities, resources, books and creative activities provided that help children learn about the difference and diversity of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to learn about being healthy and staying safe in daily routines and activities. Children develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe because the childminder teaches them road safety and reminds them about dangers in the home. Children have regular opportunities to be physically active. They go for daily walks to take or collect children from school and visit the local park and playground. The childminder also takes children on outings to the local pre school groups and the library. The childminder encourages healthy eating and independence in relation to personal hygiene. The childminder ensures fresh drinking water is readily available at all times. Children are encouraged to sit at the table where they are provided with an individual place mat on which they place their snacks or packed lunch food items. Plates are not provided. Children wash their hands before eating and after attending to their toileting needs,

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and outcomes for children

therefore, children learn about basic hygiene practices and social skills. 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 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 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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