Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301520 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Sue Birkenhead

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and adult son. The family live in the Livsey area of Blackburn, close to local facilities, schools and transport links. The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the lounge, is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years at any one time of whom, three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently minding six children on a part-time basis, of whom four are within the early years age group. The childminder 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 inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes many aspects of the welfare requirements to a satisfactory standard, to ensure children are happy, secure and their needs are generally met. However, her lack of knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework means there are some breaches in the welfare, learning and development requirements. Appropriate partnerships develop with parents to promote the continuity of children's care, although information is limited to verbal feedback regarding their well-being. The childminder currently has no contact with other settings children attend. There are no systems in place for self- evaluation and little commitment is shown towards the continuous development of the setting.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes all aspects of the house and assessment of risks during outings stating when it is reviewed and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 14/04/2011

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further?

 obtain information from parents about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 14/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and ensure sensitive observations are undertaken in order to plan to meet the children's individual learning needs (Organisation) 14/04/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 extend resources to promote children's physical development outdoors and resources which provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, culture and disability  record the details of evacuation drills carried out including any problems encountered and how they were resolved  work in partnership with parents, to obtain information regarding the children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting and share information to ensure they regularly involved in their child's continuous learning and development  plan appropriate play and learning experiences based on the children's interests and needs which are linked to the areas of learning  use formal systems for self-evaluation as the basis of ongoing review of the setting to assess what the setting offers as well as an evaluation of the areas for future development incorporating parents views.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the procedures for reporting concerns about children's welfare and can confidently outline the signs of abuse. Safeguarding procedures are shared verbally with parents initially, however, there is no written statement of procedures in place which is a breach in the Childcare Register requirements. Necessary safety equipment contributes to the safe environment. A very basic weekly risk assessment checklist covers some aspects of the childminder's home, however, the assessment of risks for outings is not completed, hence there is a breach in the requirements. Systems for self- evaluation are limited to discussing practices with fellow childminder's. With the exception of addressing the previous recommendation raised at her last inspection regarding the recording of complaints she shows little commitment to the continuous development of the setting. The childminder she is not using the Early

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the early years provision

Years Foundation Stage framework to promote and challenge children's learning effectively, which is a breach in the requirements.

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the early years provision

Most required documentation is adequately maintained, although information regarding parental responsibility is not obtained, which is a breach in the requirements. Appropriate relationships develop with parents or carers. She initially shares with them her very brief written policies and they complete relevant documentation associated with the children's needs. However, this does not include their developmental starting points on entry to the setting to provide a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 baseline from which to monitor their progress. The childminder provides daily verbal feedback regarding the children's day and well-being. However, no procedures are in place to ensure parents are involved in their children s continuous learning and development. Appropriate consent from parents is documented for specific care and activities including consent to emergency medical

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the early years provision

advice or treatment and outings. The children currently cared for attend an additional early years setting. However, the childminder does not come into contact with the other provider and has not given thought to how this could be overcome.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder suitably organises resources in the play room which allows children to make choices and develop some independence. Children settle well, are happy and secure in her care. They develop positive relationships with other children and enjoy each others company as they play co-operatively. Children engage in a suitable balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities. The childminder suitably interacts with children during some activities although, she has a limited understanding of the six areas of learning and lacks confidence in naming and linking all areas to activities when asked. Planning of activities is limited to the places they visit during the week and times of the year they celebrate. At other times opportunities are more spontaneous. The minimal sensitive observations she completes are basic and her approach is not consistent for each child. Consequently, the children's developmental progress is not suitably

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and outcomes for children

monitored and therefore cannot be clearly assessed. Their next steps in their learning are not sufficiently highlighted or used to plan appropriate learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

The suitable provision of activities, generally contribute to the development of children's future skills. They show interest in books to support some development of their literacy and communication skills. They select books of their choice from the range accessible, sit together, look at the pictures and enter into conversation with each other about the content. They suitably extend their learning of number during the every day experiences and activities. For example, they sort and match the familiar characters and count out five dominoes each whilst playing the game with the childminder. They count out the pieces of bread they butter to three at lunch time and when talking about their age recognise after three they will be four and then five. They begin to learn about letter sounds as they recognise some letters that make up their name when asked. Children explore interactive toys to create noise and flashing lights, which suitably contribute to their understanding of

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and outcomes for children

technology. Children's physical skills are encouraged and promoted in different ways according to their age and stage of development. For example, babies crawl confidently towards toys that attract them, older children visit the park and play on larger apparatus and they go to 'mini movers' exercise class regularly. However, play materials in the garden area to extend their physical skills are limited. Children are introduced to different texture during creative activities. For example they enjoy making butterfly cakes when they bake and use ribbons, tin foil, feathers This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and sequins during collage activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive regular drinks and healthy snacks, meals are homemade and incorporate fresh fruits and other healthy options. When discussing healthy foods children comment that 'carrots make you big and strong'. Children assist in buttering their own bread at lunch time to have with their meal to promote some development of their self-help skills. Their understanding of personal hygiene is appropriately promoted as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children know they do this 'to make them clean'. They are allocated individual hand towels labelled with their initial to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children learn to stay safe as they practise fire evacuation and enter into discussions about staying safe. Children say they feel safe in the childminder's care because 'no one will pinch me'. They are happy to play independently and seek her support when necessary, indicating they feel safe.

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and outcomes for children

Appropriate methods for managing children's behaviour are in place. Children's achievements are regularly praised which contributes to the development of their confidence. Opportunities for children to learn about the wider world through the provision of play materials are limited to books and the celebration of some festivals throughout the year. For example, they visit 'Buffet City' in Blackburn to sample foods using chop sticks during Chinese New Year and make items associated with Christmas and Easter. 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 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

 ensure a written statement of the procedures to be followed for the protection of children is implemented (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

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

 see action raised against the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safegurading children) 14/04/2011

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