Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307953 Inspection date 14/10/2010 Inspector Lynne Naylor

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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 assesses 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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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 1985. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, in Kirkham, Lancashire. Most of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The rear garden is available for outdoor play. There are no pets in this home.

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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. When working with a co-childminder, all six children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and currently there are six children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, currently there are no children on roll in this age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification. She is a member of an approved childminding network and currently receives early education funding for three and four-year-olds. The childminder walks or transports children in a car to toddler groups.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Strong leadership and management support the delivery of an exemplary service. Children's safety is of high priority and they make excellent progress in their learning and development. Good partnerships between the childminder, co- childminder, parents and other settings that children attend ensure children's unique needs are met. The childminder is dedicated to her role and shares her wealth of knowledge with her co-childminder and others in the wider community. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and the capacity to sustain existing high standards.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 refine the monitoring arrangements so they can be used to cross-check that the provision complements the care and education by each child at home and at other settings.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through procedures that are robust and carefully managed by both childminders. Comprehensive policies are implemented This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistently and are effective for all those who attend. The childminder takes action to minimise any dangers in the home and garden. She works closely with her co-childminder to monitor the safety of the home, garden and outings. As a result, clear accurate records are maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification and keeps her skills and knowledge up-to-date in a variety of ways. She frequently attends training and meets regularly with other childminders to discuss issues. She works exceptionally well with her co-childminder and enables him to bring his own strengths to the setting to improve outcomes for children. Children's care is enhanced by exceptional organisation and planning for continuous improvement. Since the last inspection, the childminder has extended her home. This has significantly increased and improved the quality of the space on the ground floor. Exceptionally well planned and resourced experiences promote children's learning indoors and outdoors. Children independently access the toilet, from the home and the garden, due to the exceptionally well-sited facility with an internal and external door. The childminder has self-identified plans for further improvement. She has, for

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the early years provision

instance, innovative plans to enhance the already stimulating outdoor area. Children are heavily involved in self-evaluation by contributing their views about the service.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs. She plans and cooks healthy meals, such as beef, potatoes, carrots, turnips and onions. A strong commitment to equality and diversity is clearly evident. The childminder helps children to value diversity and is highly effective in ensuring that they integrate well in the community. She helps children to learn about and understand the society in which they live. For example, children attend a weekly group to play and learn alongside children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They meet with older people in the community to have a drink and snack; and visit the canal boats to see the diverse homes of others. Good channels of communication are developing between all partners working with individual children. Information is exchanged to successfully promote children's learning, development and welfare. However, the childminder's monitoring system does not

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the early years provision

yet clearly show that this information covers all aspects of the curriculum.

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and outcomes for children

Children move freely around a clean and comfortable home and garden. Both areas are rich learning environments that promote children's independence and meet their care needs. The childminder continually reviews and develops her excellent practices to promote the welfare of the children. Children clearly understand how to keep safe. They discuss dangers in many different situations while looking at flashcards depicting different scenes. Visitors, such as fire and police officers talk to the children about keeping safe. Children exercise in the fresh air, which is good for their health. They sit and ride on a range of wheeled toys, dance and sing action rhymes, and go for walks in the local area. They learn about healthy eating through craft activities and playing games. They help plan menus This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and prepare foods, for example, they cut bananas and make custard for pudding.

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and outcomes for children

The quality of teaching and learning is high; therefore, children's outcomes are exceptionally high. Activities are initiated by the child and extended by the childminder, or specifically planned, according to a theme. The childminder observes children's activities and assesses their progress. This provides useful information to help her appropriately plan the next steps in children's learning. When planning activities, the childminder carefully considers the interests and abilities of each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully involved in all aspects of the provision. This includes making resources. The wall paper hanging in their 'Cosy Cottage', outdoors, has been printed by them. Children covered chicken wire in papier-mache and paint to make mountains. They play imaginatively with toy animals on artificial grass, small pebbles, animal print fabric and the mountains they made. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world as they plant crocus bulbs in the garden and enjoy a range of local outings. They collect shells at the beach and visit the woods to collect leaves, pinecones and conkers. These items are brought back for investigation and use in art work and imaginative play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop exceptionally good skills for the future. They thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The childminder interacts exceptionally well with the children, promoting their self-esteem and extending their vocabulary. Opportunities to develop their numeracy, communication, language and literacy skills are particularly strong as they interact well with both childminders. Children practise early writing skills as they help themselves to crayons, pens and paper and use doodle boards. They also make marks in flour on the table after making apple pies. Young children are keen to join in with older children as they recognise numerals on the hopscotch mat and sing number rhymes. Children learn about technology as they look at pictures of themselves on the digital photograph frame. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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