Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 308990 Inspection date 31/03/2011 Inspector Liz Grocott

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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 registered in 1990 and following a short break re-registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Longridge area of Preston. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The rear lounge on the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. Contingency plans are in place to call on another registered childminder in the event of an emergency or sickness.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, and is currently minding four children on a part-time basis of whom all are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is a qualified secondary school teacher and is supported by the local authority early years team.

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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

Children progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a suitable range of interesting activities and resources. They are 'at home' in the childminders care and relationships with parents are productive and well- established. Suitable arrangements are in place for monitoring and promoting improvements in the quality of the provision. The childminder accesses training regularly as a means of improving the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for all outings, which includes an assessment of required adult:child ratios. The assessment must be reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and Welfare). 31/03/2011

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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 risk assessment of the home to include the actions taken to minimise hazards  support children in using a range of Information Communication Technology to include cameras, photocopiers, CD players, tape recorders and programmable toys in addition to computers  ensure observation across the six areas of learning supports continuous This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there  work together with other practitioners and parents to support transition, both between settings and between setting and school.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes the children's safety and well-being and is aware of the procedures that she must use if she has any child protection concerns. Parents are provided with a copy of the safeguarding policy, so they are in no doubt about the childminder's responsibilities in protecting their children. Adults in the childminder's home have undergone suitability checks to further ensure children's safety. Although the home has been assessed for risk, the system used does not detail what action has been taken to minimise hazards and the assessment is not signed. Risk assessments for outings have not been made for all visits undertaken and this breaches the specific welfare requirement and puts children at possible risk. The childminder teaches children about keeping themselves safe and talks about such things as road safety and strangers. Children are also encouraged to practise evacuating the home so they are well prepared should a real emergency arise. This

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards self-improvement and attends plenty of training courses to improve her service. These include, outdoor play,'schema', developing continuous provision and 'Fun with Problem Solving'. These short courses are used to develop the childminder's ideas and extend what she already offers to children. The use of reflective practice has enabled the childminder to identify areas she wishes to improve, such as obtaining the views of parents to feed into her self-evaluation. She has also started to compile a resource book so children can choose what they want to do from pictures of the resources. Children are able to make choices from a good selection of resources the childminder puts out. They learn about differences in society through resources and celebrating selected festivals, such as Chinese New Year. They invite friends for lunch and try to use chopsticks with noodles, prawn crackers and spring rolls.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed successful partnerships with parents. They are given information about the policies and procedures that underpin the service. The childminder puts photographs of their children playing on a digital photo frame so they can see how they spend their time. 'All about us' books are shared at regular intervals where the childminder records detail of the children's development. However, these books are not yet effective in recording observations over the six areas of the children's learning, making assessment and planning their next steps. They are also not in place for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means that children's learning is not maximised. The childminder has not yet developed successful partnerships with others who also provide Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is not yet secure in her knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage. This impacts on individual children's learning. Planned activities may not be fully appropriate and provide effective challenge to support to each and every child to enable them to reach their full potential. The childminder provides a good selection of books including those representing positive images of our diverse society. These encourage children's interest in print and their enjoyment of stories. They visit the local library to attend story time and craft sessions. During play she correctly models word pronunciation and uses play with dough to practise counting the pieces as they are chopped off. Children learn about different colours as they repeat the name of each coloured letter and post it in the box. They take part in baking activities, making cakes which they later decorate for Mother's Day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to learn about the world around them as they grow tomatoes and sunflowers from seed. Children's art work is displayed around the walls and their photographs scroll across the photograph frame giving them a sense of belonging. They attend 'baby bounce' sessions as part of the childminder's plan in encouraging a healthy lifestyle. They go to healthy eating sessions where they taste foods and learn about cooking. The childminder ensures children have plenty of access to outdoor play so they get fresh air. They climb, slide and ride sit-on-toys to develop their large muscles. Parents choose to provide meals and snacks for the children although the childminder has an awareness of a balanced diet. Children generally play well together although on occasion disagreements occur. The childminder uses her skills to resolve disputes amicably. 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 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: 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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