Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340054 Inspection date 12/04/2011 Inspector Denise Sixsmith

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Much Hoole, Preston, Lancashire. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding, as well as, the small front bedroom on the first floor. The rear enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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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, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant. When working with an assistant, she can mind a maximum of four children in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has an appropriate childcare qualification at Level 3 and is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 are cared for in a friendly and inclusive environment where they have access to a good range of activities based on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. These promote their learning and development well and help children to make good progress. Children's safety is given a high priority ensuring that they play in a safe and secure environment. Outstanding partnerships with parents are established which means they are extremely well-informed of the care their children are receiving. The childminder has a positive approach to self-evaluation and ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 refine links with other providers in order to further develop systems that provide continuity and coherence for individual children's care and education develop the planning of activities for the outdoor area to further enrich children's play.

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the early years provision

Good systems and procedures are implemented to ensure children are safe and secure in the childminder's care. All adults within the home are appropriately vetted and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's safety and well-being is a priority. The childminder's knowledge of the local safeguarding procedures is good and related training is undertaken regularly. She has a very well-written policy which backs up her knowledge of how she would progress a concern. This includes relevant local numbers where advice can be obtained or a concern reported. Children's safety and welfare is promoted effectively through the childminder's good practice and thorough risk assessment procedure.

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the early years provision

All of the required paperwork is in place, such as, a daily record of the hours of attendance, accident and medication records and a clear procedure for parents should they wish to make a complaint. The childminder arranges her home to benefit children and provides them with choices of good quality toys. Children move freely around the rooms accessing different activities and resources which promote their independence well. However, the development and planning of the outdoor area and play is not as well-developed as that for indoors. Children are valued as individuals and treated with equal concern. They learn about their local community and the wider world through outings and attendance at local toddler groups. Consequently, children are developing a good understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses self-evaluation and reflective practice effectively to identifying areas for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. She recognises that aspects of her service could be developed and is realistic in her approach to this. She is proactive in accessing training to keep her knowledge of childcare practices up-to-date and works closely with a childminding network group to ensure she is meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage well. She has recently made a number of improvements to her learning and development record keeping system following recent advice. However, she has not as yet fully developed effective systems that promote links with other providers who share the care and education of the children.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from this very effective partnership. Their routines are respected and they are cared for inline with parents' wishes with their individual needs being met extremely well. A wide range of policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of how the children are protected. Parents are kept very well-informed about their child's progress through daily contact books which give very good summaries of what a child has achieved that day and how the childminder has helped to support their child. Parents are also regularly given access to the observation and assessments records of their child so they can see how well their child is achieving and progressing. Parents state through questionnaires and testimonials that they are 'kept up-to-date everyday in everyway' and that their childminder 'has done a fantastic job and played a major part in their child's

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the early years provision

development.' This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They feel secure because of the warm and friendly relationships they have developed with both the childminder and her family. The childminder regularly observes the children at play and uses the information gained to plan further activities that will help them continue to make good progress across all areas of learning. Children learn and develop very well through the childminder's interaction with them, for example, the childminder skilfully asks them 'what', 'why' and 'who' questions which encourages them to think as they play. Children enjoy many activities which promote all the areas of learning. They become confident talkers as they read a favourite book, sing rhymes and chat as they have their lunch. All children are becoming skilled in their use of information and communication technology which successfully supports their learning and development of skills for the future. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

has a wide range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity, such as books, posters, dolls and small world figures to help the children learn about difference. They learn about how plants grow as they plant carrots and potatoes and watch the life cycle of the butterfly in the indoor butterfly garden. Creative play is incorporated into the planning enabling the children to express themselves very well through a variety of media, for example, paint, collage, musical instruments and role play.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow effective routines to reduce the risk of cross-infection. They use paper towels to dry their hands on after going to the toilet and are prompted to wash hands by a picture reminder above the sink. This means that children learn to manage their own personal hygiene tasks effectively. They regularly play outside in the fresh air and get lots of exercise. They conscientiously wash and dry the sit and ride car and then squeal with delight as they squirt each other with the water pistols. Younger children who need a rest are able to do so in a safe and comfortable place. Children are helped to feel safe and secure as the childminder ensures her home is suitable for them to play in and regularly checks toys and resources to keep them in good condition. A good range of safety equipment is used to protect children both indoors and on outings, for instance, the children have back packs with safety strap attachments. Stories and activities about

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and outcomes for children

crossing the road safely and stranger danger are built into the planning of activities. Children behave very well because the childminder keeps them busy and engaged with enjoyable activities. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement as they play, helping to develop their confidence and build their self-esteem. 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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