Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 30 Mar 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 308502 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 15 years in the residential area of Chorley in Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She has a dog as a pet. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.00am to 6.00pm for 47 weeks of the year.

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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, of whom no more than four may be in the early years age range. There are currently seven children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis, two of which she runs. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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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 feel secure in the childminder's welcoming and safe child-orientated home. She adapts activities to ensure all children are included. Good levels of support are provided to ensure all children have opportunities to make progress in their learning and development. Systems for monitoring children's achievements are being developed. Most of the recommended records are in place. The childminder liases with an early years professional from the local authority and other childminders, to ensure continuous improvement is effectively maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for monitoring children s progress including involving parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all outings and trips.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder's home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. They are well protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of her role with regard to safeguarding. Risk assessments take place for the childminder's home, garden and outings, which ensures that children remain safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, these are not recorded for all outings, which impacts on their effectiveness. The childminder has attended several childcare courses as well as the mandatory first aid training. Consequently, she is continually improving the service she provides and is able to respond appropriately should a child have an accident. The resources are well organised and easily accessible, which encourages children's independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares information with parents and carers on a daily basis verbally and with written diaries to ensure continuity of care. She has a secure knowledge of the advantages of liasing with other professionals to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has regular contact with other practitioners where care and education is accessed in more than one setting. This enables her to complement and extend activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her practice to ensure the needs of those attending are well met. She gains feedback from parents in a variety of ways, including verbally and in a written comments book. The recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been positively addressed. This has a favourable impact on keeping children safe.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements the knowledge she has gained effectively. Each of the areas of learning is well resourced. Individual children make good progress as the childminder ensures she has a good knowledge of their developmental stage. The childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour, which takes into account children's understanding and maturity. Positive role modelling by the childminder and appropriate resources encourage children's growing knowledge of equality and diversity. Children have access to a wide range of resources including natural materials, which enables children to learn through their senses. An example of this is where they hunt for pretend bugs in the leaves and under the small logs. The childminder responds promptly and with interest to children's discoveries. She is enthusiastic and activities are undertaken with a

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and outcomes for children

sense of fun. The way that the childminder listens to children encourages them to be good communicators. A range of matching, sorting and sequencing activities promote their problem solving and reasoning skills. Children use their imagination well and this is developed into extended and purposeful play. An example of this is where they pretend to cook tea and the childminder discusses the different kinds of food. Children develop their skills for the future as the access interactive resources and a digital camera.

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and outcomes for children

Plans are thorough and relate to the six areas of learning. Pictorial evidence of what children have achieved is collated in their learning journey, which are attractively maintained and include written observations. Systems for involving the parents in the ongoing observation and assessment process are being developed. This impacts on the childminder's ability to track all of the achievements children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe in the secure environment and learn about personal safety. Examples of this are where they participate in fire safety activities and enjoy a visit from the crossing patrol officer at the local childminder drop-in-group. Regular use of the garden, nature walks and outings to the park provide opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage children's physical development. A varied and imaginative menu encourages children to have a good awareness of healthy meal options and the opportunity to try new foods. Children are beginning to learn about goos health and hygiene practices as part of the day's routine, such as cleaning their teeth and washing their hands. A clear sickness policy offers parents information about exclusion periods for children who are unwell, ensuring children are not placed at risk of infection and illness. Documentation is clearly maintained and up-to-date. 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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