Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307929 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Jean Thomas

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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 1992. She lives with her husband in Burscough, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the ground floor level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom not more than three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently minding five children in this age group, of whom all attend on a part-time basis.Older children also attend. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder takes children to parks and places of interest. She accesses Local Authority support and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 has attended training to develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She respects the uniqueness of each child and provides activities to support progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are positive and contribute towards the childminder meeting the children's needs. The childminder evaluates her provision to make improvements, however, the gap in meeting a legal requirement had not been identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 14/04/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation system and planning for children s individual next steps in learning and development across the six areas of learning to support their progress towards the early learning goals  organise the recording of information held on children to ensure parents can only access information about their child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to protect children from harm. She is fully aware of the safeguarding procedures she will follow if she has any concerns regarding child protection issues. The childminder has attended safeguarding refresher training to ensure her knowledge is secure and up to date. Documented risk assessments are in place for the premises for children's safety. The childminder's carries out risk assessments on the places she visits with the children. Although these are not documented the childminder is able to detail the procedures she follows to identify potential hazards and promote children's safety. The childminder has started to self-evaluate her provision to identify the strengths and priorities for development. She values training and involvement with the Local Authority advisor to further support the continuous improvement of her provision. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed to

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the early years provision

improve outcomes for children. As recommended, a system is in place to record incidents and the electric meter has been made inaccessible for children's safety. The childminder has undertaken the Early Years Foundation Stage training to meet the recommendation regarding developing knowledge of the childcare framework. Lastly, as recommended, forms are signed by parents for the childminder to attend to children's needs in the event of an emergency. However, the wording of the consents does not explicitly request permission from parents to the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment as legally required. All other legally required documents are maintained for children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards promoting equality and diversity. She provides a welcoming and inclusive provision for children and families. The childminder does not stereotype play resources, resulting in children having opportunity to enjoy the full range of play materials. She supports children's understanding of people who are different to themselves through discussion and answering their questions. The childminder respects the uniqueness of each child which promotes their self-esteem and self-confidence. The childminder uses outings to help nurture children's interest in the natural world to develop socially responsible behaviour in relation to environmental care.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents. There is regular opportunity to exchange information verbally which impacts significantly on her ability to meet children's individual needs. The childminder shares her observations of the children verbally with the parents and they discuss their child's next steps in learning and development to inform her planning. The childminder maintains a daily diary of events of the day and this includes observations about the children. However, this recording system documents information about all the children. Therefore if this record is shared with parents they are able to read information which does not pertain to their child. The childminder is aware of the need to liaise with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children. She has strong links with the service the children attend. These have been established for many years to support continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children develop a trusting and secure relationship with the childminder. They happily approach her and confidently choose their play resources. The childminder involves herself in their chosen activities to extend their learning and enjoyment. They sit together and the childminder reads stories. They talk about the pictures and the childminder asks questions to extend children's language and critical thinking. This is an activity where the children's and childminder's close relationship is demonstrated as they obviously enjoy each other's company and laugh together at a funny story. Children determine the direction of their play and select mark-making materials to practice early writing skills. They are proud of their achievements and are given lots of praise from the childminder which encourages them to repeat and increase their level of concentration. The children enjoy singing traditional nursery rhymes. The childminder is fully aware that this

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and outcomes for children

enjoyable activity supports their language development and depending on the content of the rhymes introduces children to numeracy. The childminder encourages children to count, identify numerals and shapes and to consider size through their involvement in different activities. These include baking, craftwork, role play and when they are out and about in the community.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to be creative. The childminder encourages children to develop their own ideas and use problem-solving skills to achieve their play objectives. For example, they arrange the dining chairs to make their own play bus and use safe household utensils to create their role play kitchen. The children enjoy playing in the garden. They explore the soil and make discoveries of the insects they find. They are delighted to find ladybirds and eagerly involve the childminder as they watch and talk about their movements. The children are learning to be independent and form relationships, consequently, they are developing skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

There is a relaxed atmosphere where children are able to play at their own pace and have opportunity to practice and repeat activities to develop skills. The childminder is using her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children's learning and development. She completes observations and plans for individual children's next steps in learning and development. It is not clear that the childminder's system of observation and planning is secure across the six areas of learning to support children's individual progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow routine procedures that help them learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. For example, they practice the evacuation drill, follow road safety procedures and wash their hands after toileting. Fruit and vegetables form part of the children's daily diet provided by the childminder. The garden, parks and nature reserves are used for children to enjoy energetic activities to promote their physical development. The childminder's behaviour management policy is based on the use of positive strategies, such as praise and acknowledgment to promote positive behaviour. 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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

 prepare a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 14/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 prepare a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 14/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 14/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 14/04/2011

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