Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY278501 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Kath Harding

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives in Longridge, Preston, Lancashire. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. The childminder occasionally works with a registered assistant. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has good relationships with parents and she understands the benefits of partnership working in the wider context. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement. However, there are some minor weaknesses in systems that support the practice.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  ensure the systems to record the details of arrival and departure times of visitors are in place  review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well-being.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has attended recent training in this area. She knows of her responsibility to ensure all people living in the house are suitably checked but presently does not have a record of visitors to the premises. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. The childminder visually checks everywhere prior to the children arriving. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden and outings. This helps to keep children safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, the childminder does not presently risk assess every activity children take part in.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this to promote good outcomes for children. She has a file for each child containing observations, photographs and art work to illustrate what activities the children take part in. However, the observations are not consistently used to plan for children s next steps in their learning and development to ensure their progression. She creates a welcoming environment where, resources and toys are accessible for children, helping to promote their independence. Children's posters and artwork are displayed on the walls, so making the rooms more inviting to children.

p.5

the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and offers them opportunities to make comments on the service provided. She provides parents with verbal information and newsletters, so they know all about their child's day and are informed of what activities the children take part in. The childminder's policies and procedures, which underpin the service offered, are available to all parents so they can read these to ensure they are familiar with the service offered.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder understands the benefits of liaising with other providers to ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she is continually reflecting on how to improve her service. She accesses training opportunities and obtains advice from other practitioners, support workers and by reading relevant magazines and literature to ensure she is kept updated.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging, are very settled and happy. The childminder encourages the children to learn about road safety as she discusses this with them when on outings. They take part in road safety topics, so ensuring they are familiar with the dangers of the roads and how to keep themselves safe. They discuss stranger danger and what they should do if they get lost when in a shop. The children practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency. Children adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating. They use individual towels to reduce the risk of cross infection. They take part in an activity session led by an oral health worker, so promoting the importance of good oral hygine routines. They take part in food games and look at topics on good and bad foods, so encouraging them to make healthy choices. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they go out daily to

p.5

and outcomes for children

play at the park and access a wide range of physical activities, such as, slides, rockers, stilts, hoola hoops and sit and ride toys in the large garden area.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts very well with children during their play and constantly chatters to them and extends their learning by asking open-ended questions. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 spends her time listening to the children and giving them individual attention. Lots of praise and encouragement is used by the childminder, so enhancing children's self-esteem and self-confidence. They begin to recognise numerals as they point to each number on the wooden bricks. They plant cress heads watch them grow and tend to them, so learning about caring for living things. As they look at the scrap book of photographs of activities they have taken part in, they gain a sense of time as they see pictures of themselves when they were babies. They talk about feelings as they see a picture of a girl crying. They enjoy spending time snuggled in with the childminder talking about who and what they see. As they decide they

p.5

and outcomes for children

want to attach the trailer to the tractor, they freely approach the childminder and ask for help. They spontaneously sing rhymes as they play and have fun as they tickle each other. They push the cars and trucks along and negotiate a clear pathway through the room as they push the walker around. They have a table containing all yellow items to encourage children to recognise colours and name the items.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children behave well and use good manners as they spontaneously thank the childminder. They learn to respect each other and are encouraged to share the toys and resources. They learn to value others as they use toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They visit local amenities regularly, such as, toddler sessions, the childminding support group, the library and the toy library so that children learn about their local community and learn to socialise. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8