Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301505 Inspection date 31/03/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 15 in the Wilpshire district of Blackburn. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play to the rear of the premises. The childminder has two sheep which are kept in an area adjacent to her garden and a rabbit is kept as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and 4. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are within the early years age group. Their attendance is a mix of full and part-time places.

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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

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family environment. They are offered a good range of learning opportunities both in the home, local community and the wider area which foster their learning well. All necessary documentation is in place, including systems to track children's progress in their learning and development. However, some aspects lack the necessary detail. Partnerships with parents and others involved in the children's care and learning are good ensuring a shared approach to meeting their individual needs. Systems for self-evaluation are in place and these are effective in promoting continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of the risk assessment  ensure the record of children's attendance includes all the necessary detail  develop further the system for monitoring and assessing children's progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. For example, she is confident in her ability to recognise the possible indicators of abuse or neglect and who to refer any concerns to. This is clearly reflected in her written safeguarding policy. The childminder is very competent in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 administering emergency first aid and she ensures her home is safe by undertaking an assessment to identify and minimise any risks. She has made a record of this as required by the welfare requirements; however, it does not show how the risks in all areas have been considered. The childminder ensures her day to day record keeping is maintained effectively other than the attendance records which do not include the children's full name.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures in place to show how her service operates including those to be followed in an emergency, such as, a child going missing, and how sensitive issues, such as incidents of biting will be handled. The childminder offers the children a good range of toys and resources to play with which are rotated on a regular basis to maintain their interest. The childminder shows a good commitment to promoting continuous improvement. For example, since her last inspection she has gained a childcare qualification at both level 3 and 4 and has purchased a number of resources to enhance children's play opportunities in the garden. She is very clear of where her strengths lie and fully understands the importance of self-evaluation as a means of monitoring her service and identifying areas for future improvement. For example, she has a place booked on several forthcoming training courses to develop particular areas of her

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the early years provision

The childminder pays good attention to promoting equality and diversity. She gathers as much information as she can before the placement begins regarding the children's individual care routines, any additional languages they may use, and their interests and how these can be supported. The childminder works closely in partnership with providers of any other settings the children also attend, such as, the local school nursery, to ensure a shared approach to their care and learning. For example, she ensures she is fully aware of what areas of learning the teacher is concentrating on with the children so she can support these in her setting. The childminder actively encourages the children to learn about the cultures and beliefs of others through various activities. For example, by sampling fortune cookies and enjoying a 'take away' meal as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations. The childminder clearly values the parents as the children's primary carers and ensures

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the early years provision

they are fully informed of all aspects of the service. For example, they are given copies of all her policies and procedures for their reference. Daily chats keep them well informed of their children's day and regular newsletters ensure they know about forthcoming activities. Parents are keen to express their satisfaction of the service, with written testimonials showing very positive comments.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children's learning and development very successfully. She carefully plans the activities she offers, providing a good balance of free play and focused learning opportunities. For example, the children delight in freely exploring the colours and sounds of manufactured toys and musical instruments, such as, shakers, bells and tambourines and they are able to take part in activities based around themes. For example, those relating to the seasons This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and popular fund raising events. The children also have valuable opportunities to take part in learning opportunities in the local community and to enjoy outings further afield. For example, they visit the library to borrow books and listen to stories and they attend the local childminder group each week where they learn to socialise with others. They enjoy organised group outings to venues, such as,

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and outcomes for children

children's farms and the seaside, with the added attraction of travelling there by coach.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with the children to promote their learning. For example, she blows bubbles for them to catch, shows them how to operate musical toys and takes them to observe the sheep that she keeps in an area adjacent to her garden. The children clearly feel safe in the childminder's care and develop close bonds with her. For example, she reassures the youngest ones if, for example, she is temporarily out of their sight when she accesses something from the kitchen and the children spontaneously cuddle into her as they sit on her knee. The childminder keeps records of the children's learning, which included a good range of photographs, written observations of the children's responses to the activities and monthly summative assessments of their progress. However, she does not record how these link to the different areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides good opportunities for the children to develop their curiosity and sense of exploration. For example, offering treasure baskets for the youngest ones when they become fully immersed in exploring the texture of items, such as fir cones, fabric, feathers and wooden rings in open-ended ways. The children plant sunflower seeds and seed potatoes in the garden to develop an understanding of how things grow and they regularly visit a farm where the childminder keeps horses. The children are supported well in following a healthy lifestyle. They have access to the garden where they develop their physical skills as they use climbing equipment, swings and an array of wheeled toys. They are taught to use a wipe or hand sanitizer gel before eating and they learn to take care of their teeth by following topics on dental hygiene. The childminder helps the children to learn about personal safety by teaching them to cross the road safely

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and outcomes for children

and sensitively discussing issues, such as 'stranger danger'. When she feels the older ones are capable she enables them to manage their own risks. For example, allowing them to walk slightly ahead of her providing they stop when they reach the agreed place, such as the next lamp post. 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 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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