Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 8 Dec 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411575 Inspection date 08/12/2010 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 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 2010. She lives in Lancaster with her husband and their three children aged 14, 12 and three years. The area is close to a Children's Centre, parks, library and groups. Minded children have access to the lounge and downstairs bathroom. The decked area of the garden to the rear of the house is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to and collects children from local schools. The childminder has a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education Primary and is currently working towards Early Years Professional Status. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and

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Description of the childminding

recently joined the local childminder network.

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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 has a secure knowledge of the individual needs of the children gained through well organised developmental records. She works closely with parents and other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage in ensuring both care and development needs are fully met. Children's safety is maintained through stringent assessment of risk. The childminder has a clear vision for further development. She effectively monitors her setting through the use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and uses her findings to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide a greater selection of flexible and natural resources that can be used and explored in many different ways to facilitate children's play and exploration  promote the good health of children and help them to develop an understanding of good hygiene practices during daily routines, such as supporting hand washing prior to meals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of the indicators of abuse and the procedures to employ should she have a concern about a child. There is a comprehensive set of written policy documents covering all aspects of her provision available for reference to support her practice. Safety and security are a priority. Detailed risk assessments for all areas of the home and outings are in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place and reviewed. Evacuation procedures are practiced with the children and records kept. All required documentation concerning the children in her care is in place and stored confidentially. The childminder is committed to further development. She monitors the effectiveness of her provision using the Ofsted self-evaluation form. Clear priorities for improvement which will bring about improved outcomes for children are identified and worked towards, such as, the

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the early years provision

development of specific spaces for different experiences. The childminder effectively utilises the space to provide areas for different types of play. There is a wide range of appropriate resources supporting all areas of learning which are stored at an easily accessible level. Labels with words and pictures help children to identify what is inside the storage boxes and supports an understanding that print carries meaning. Resources which are flexible or natural are limited, which means that children do not have the opportunity to freely explore objects which have no specific purpose. The childminder shares her time with the children effectively so that their individual needs are met. Relationships with parents are good. They receive a wealth of information both before their child starts and throughout their time with the childminder. Information specific to individual children is given high priority and the wishes of the parents are fully implemented. Parent's views are

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the early years provision

valued and developmental records are shared regularly. Information is shared with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation stage and this is used well to provide continuity and coherence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled in the childminder's care, including those who have not been attending for very long. They are confident and their self-esteem is good as the childminder provides purposeful reassurance. There is lots of laughter and the children are engaged in activity throughout. Children are developing their own personalities and independence through being allowed to challenge themselves. Children, for example, are given the freedom to unfasten their coats independently and make choices about activities, accessing resources freely. Behaviour standards are high. There are clear boundaries shared with parents and children and an atmosphere of mutual respect. Children learn to share and take turns when playing and reading books. Story sacks are used to good effect in bringing books to life and children thoroughly enjoy playing with the puppets to retell the story. They count and sing rhymes to develop their understanding of number and work out for

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and outcomes for children

themselves how to put on the glove puppets. They enjoy picking fruit from the fruit trees and using their imagination with the twigs and leaves outside. They learn to look after the planet through recycling and discussing why not using the car reduces pollution. There is a good range of resources and activities, supporting an understanding of diversity, which are used effectively. Children are competent in using the digital camera and various other technological resources, laughing as a light lights or a buzzer sounds. The outdoor area is well used to develop large physical skills. They ride on the sit-and-ride toys and manoeuvre themselves confidently around the home. They excitedly cut and stick and use small tools to create a variety of pictures and models. They sing songs and enjoy dancing. Systems for monitoring children's progress are very effective. Tentative starting points are recorded within the first two weeks and, from these, progress is

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 monitored. The childminder skilfully links observations to the areas of learning and stages of development and information is used very well to plan future activities and continuous provision. This means that children's individual needs are well supported and they enjoy a broad variety of activities. Children are safe and secure in the setting. The childminder offers gentle reminders to ensure they learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, reminding them not to stand on the stool. Safety systems when out and about are very effective. They know the rules and boundaries when accessing the car, for example, staying close to the childminder and holding hands. There is a nutritious and healthy menu of home produced meals and snacks and the childminder has a good understanding of their dietary needs or likes. While the high chair table is washed with antibacterial spray

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and outcomes for children

prior to lunch, the children are not encouraged to wash their hands. This does not promote an understanding of the need for good hygienic practices. They all sit together for lunch and good manners are encouraged. This provides the basis of a healthy lifestyle. 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 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 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 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 3 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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