Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301576 Inspection date 28/06/2010 Inspector Rasmik Parmar

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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 1979. She lives with her husband and adult child in a house in Brownhill, Blackburn, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the house is available to children. There is an enclosed garden available at the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder is close to local amenities, including a library, parks, playgroups and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 four children in this age group. She also offers care to three children aged over five years old and two children over eight years old. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the local childminding network group and receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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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 promotes children's welfare and care needs successfully and meets their individual developmental needs well. She supports children to make good progress towards the early learning goals, although the assessment records for children are in the early stages. She ensures that all children are valued and included. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. Links with other settings that children also attend are not yet fully established. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and her commitment to continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems used to observe and assess children's progress towards the early learning goals and more consistently identify the next steps in children's learning  develop further links with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage so there is continuity and coherence in children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. Policies and procedures are well organised and confidentially stored. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly reviews her documents to ensure they are in line with changes to guidance and legislation. A full risk assessment is carried out on the premises and outings and systems are in place, to ensure any person having unsupervised access to children is suitable to do so. Actions taken to manage or eliminate risks work well and keep children safe when using the home and when outside. For example, safety gates are secured, fire precautions are in place and consent from parents is signed for outings and medication issues.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is welcoming and child orientated. A good range of play materials and furniture are provided, enabling children to play comfortably. Equipment and resources fully promotes equality and diversity. They are of a good quality and suitable for the ages of the children to support their learning and development. Children confidently and independently help themselves to resources they want to play with.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder works effectively with parents. For example, good quality information is available through parents being given clear, detailed written policies and procedures, by general information on a display board about the types of activities children will be participating in and parents having access to their child's progress folders at any time. Parents are appropriately encouraged to share what they know about their children through ongoing discussions and the completion of child record forms. They are also provided with an annual progress report on their child's development. Links with other providers where children attend more than one setting are developing. The childminder only obtains limited information and has not fully established a partnership with them, in order to provide consistency in learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder's own self-evaluation process enables her to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed and the childminder meets regularly with local child carers to share ideas and improve practice. The childminder has attended numerous training courses as part of her continuous professional development. The childminder receives regular monitoring visits from the local childminding network with an annual review to enable her to maintain good standards of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder’s warm and well-maintained family home. They settle well with the childminder, who demonstrates a complete commitment to supporting children's welfare and achievements. Learning and development in the six areas is well supported. The childminder shows enthusiasm when supporting children's learning and gives priority to providing a broad experience at local childminding groups and playgroups. The childminder is very experienced and knows children's starting points, by talking to their parents and observing them as they play, so that she can support their ongoing progress. She is developing a system to observe and assess children, in order to identify the next steps in the learning for most children. She recognises this is an area to improve, to ensure each child's development and next steps are fully identified. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well, secure in the childminder's expectations and they learn to share and interact positively with their peers and younger children attending. They play in a well-organised environment in the childminder's home. The play area is an attractive and child-friendly space, designed to encourage children to be able to choose their own resources and to be independent, including a good selection of resources outdoors, as part of the continuous provision. Children are developing skills for the future, as they develop independence skills, learn how to communicate and form positive relationships. Children's confidence is particularly well supported and the childminder is attentive to their needs, as she talks to them and listens closely, as she plays with them. Older children are encouraged to pursue their interests and the childminder keeps up to date on which activities inspire them, so that she can be involved. Children love to perform and the

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and outcomes for children

childminder talks of their achievements with pride.

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and outcomes for children

Children are treated as individuals in an inclusive environment, where toys and books reflect different cultures and ways of life. The childminder provides well for their interests, ages and stages of development and children respond very well. They thoroughly enjoy activities, including dressing up, painting and using musical instruments, which encourages their creative abilities. They enjoy art and craft activities and demonstrate increasing independence and confidence when moving around the house and choosing the things they like to do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a balanced and nutritious diet, as children are offered healthy snacks and meals in accordance with parents' wishes. Children have been introduced to foods from other cultures when celebrating local festivals, as part of broadening their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Children have independent access to fresh drinking water throughout the day, as they learn the importance of keeping themselves hydrated. Children are able to rest, according to their routines and parents' wishes. Children learn about safety, as they are reminded how to play safely. They feel very safe in the childminder's care, due to warm and trusting relationships that have been established. They are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe through her sensitive explanations about road safety and wearing wrist straps. Children also take part in the fire drill of the premises, so they know what to do in the event of a fire.

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and outcomes for children

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 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 2

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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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