Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 502553 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the Feniscowles area of Blackburn, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor front bedroom of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed side garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently nine children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and children's centre. The childminder has use of a car to transport children on outings and school runs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Early Years Care and Education. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Blackburn and Darwin Childminding Network. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 is an experienced, qualified early years practitioner who gives her undivided attention to effectively support the children in her care. Her motivated approach and sensitive address of children's individual needs ensure that children settle well into a warm, welcoming, safe and secure environment where they are provided with an excellent selection of toys, activities and play equipment to help them make good progress in their learning and development. Most of the required information is obtained and all the required documents, policies and procedures are maintained to ensure children's safety and well-being. However, a breach in the specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage is made. Relationships with parents are fully established to ensure continuity of care and inclusive practice is promoted. The childminder has made a very good start to self- evaluating her practice and is committed to improving her provision so that she

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

continues to provide high quality care for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents about who has legal contact and parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 13/04/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  encourage parents' involvement in children's continuous learning and development and encourage relationships with the other settings children attend to ensure the complementing of learning in the home  develop a system for the recording of risk assessments for each type of outing.

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the early years provision

Children are protected and safeguarded as they happily and contentedly play in this inclusive, warm and welcoming environment. They feel safe and secure through the close supervision of the childminder as they follow their daily routines. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection matters and has attended training delivered by the local authority. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children while in her home, therefore, guests sign her visitors book and are never left unsupervised with children. A detailed set of written policy statements and procedures are available and shared with parents when registering their child. These include a complaint policy containing the contact details of the Ofsted and a system to record any complaints. Record-keeping documents are available to detail any accident, incident and existing injury to children in her care.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from the risk of potential hazards through the use of visual safety checks which are completed before they arrive. The childminder also completes detailed written risk assessments for all aspects of the home environment. Children are kept safe on outings through the use of 'dynamic' visual risk assessment and safety procedures conducted by the childminder. Children complete regular fire evacuation practices so that they understand what they should do if an emergency situation arises. Children benefit from the childminder using the available space, both inside and outside, effectively to meet their needs. They have freedom of movement between the ground floor rooms and can access the garden and paved area for physical play and exercise. The childminder provides an excellent selection of resources that are age-appropriate, meet their interests and contribute to their development and learning.

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the early years provision

Children are familiar with their surroundings and therefore settle easily. The childminder engages with parents in several ways. She verbally exchanges information about the children's day and activities and provides parents with written information about development and learning. Children benefit from this positive relationship with parents and the flexible and relaxed approach of the childminder. Parents are highly complimentary of the care and service she provides for them and their children. During initial meetings, discussions are held regarding the business arrangements, parental consents and the individual care requirements for each child. However, some information is missing. The childminder has not obtained information about who has legal contact or parental responsibility for the children. This is a legal requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage, therefore, a breach has been made. The childminder observes children on initial

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the early years provision

visits to obtain their starting points. She uses information gathered from parents to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assess children's development to plan for the next steps in their learning. She completes observations as children play and keeps records which are linked to development and the six areas of learning. Although these records are available for parents, they are not encouraged to contribute to them, and information on how they can help with their children's learning at home is not provided. The childminder has approached other settings the children attend so that she may complement the learning taking place in the home environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced, qualified early years practitioner who has some previous experience of working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She has made a start on the self-evaluation process by reviewing her everyday practice. The childminder is clear on overall strengths and has identified areas she wishes to improve on. For example, developing the outdoor play area and children's progress records. The childminder is proactive in considering her own professional development. She obtains early years publications and attends training sessions provided by the local authority.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and have fun as they play in this relaxed, child-friendly, home-from-home environment. The childminder ensures that children experience a full range of industrious learning experiences which meet their interest. She interacts with the children well, asking them what they would like to do, and fully supports them as they play. A balance of adult-led activities and free play is encouraged. She knows the children well and their learning is skilfully extended by the childminder interacting, questioning and challenging children appropriately during activities. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and is fully aware of how much progress the children have made since starting with her. Photographic evidence in children's folders and in a dedicated portfolio shows an array of stimulating and interesting activities children take part in during their play. Children enjoy interesting creative experiences. They confidently use

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and outcomes for children

glue sticks and create their lovely Mother's Day cards using different coloured, textured flower shapes. Children competently sort the shapes into shape sorters and show great excitement as the music plays when they do this correctly. An extensive selection of electronic and interactive toys are available so children experience how things work. This play is complemented with sensory activities using natural materials. Children play with small world toys and dolls which they can use to engage in role play based on their own experiences. Children's numeracy skills are supported in their play. They count, compare, match and calculate in many activities and competently use pens, pencils and crayons for mark making.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a sense of belonging and have a positive relationship with the childminder, who sets a good example through the sensitive and caring nature she portrays. Children are confident and self-assured. They play harmoniously with the childminder. They truly benefit from the one-to-one support she provides and they receive her undivided attention as they play. The childminder provides for an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed and feels valued. She makes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sure resources are easily accessible to the children so they can make free choices and decisions about their play. Children's behaviour is managed consistently and positively, therefore, they behave well.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to learn about healthy living and lifestyles. They enjoy healthy fruit snacks and their individual dietary needs are known and met in consultation with parents. Children's independent self-help skills are promoted as they competently wash and dry their hands. They begin to understand why they must wash their hands and confidently do so. Children's safety is promoted. They begin to develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe by taking part in regular fire evacuation practices, holding hands when out walking and learning the green cross code when crossing the road. Children benefit from numerous outdoor activities and visits. They are taken for daily walks in the fresh air. They enjoy physical play in the local park and collect children from the nearby school. The childminder takes children to the local children's centre and a number of toddler drop-in groups where they meet with other childminders and their children, therefore, developing

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and outcomes for children

their social skills. 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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