Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 502124 Inspection date 14/04/2011 Inspector Janet Singleton

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the area of Helmshore, Rossendale. The whole of the ground floor 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 a pet dog.

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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 three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children in making good progress towards the early learning goals. Her good knowledge of the children in her care means their individual needs are met. The childminder has all required documentation in place for the management of the setting, although the risk assessments are not sufficient in detail to meet the legal requirements. Established relationships with parents and other agencies ensure meaningful information is shared. Children play freely and confidently in the safe and secure setting, providing an inclusive environment. Good systems for evaluating the quality of the setting and the childminder's reflective practice contribute to bringing about improvement to the early years provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of the risk assessment includes the date of completion and the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. 03/05/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations and assessments in place to clearly identify the next steps for learning and use these to inform future planning in order to plan more effectively for children's progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The arrangements for safeguarding are good because the childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to ensure children are kept safe and protected. All adults in the home have been checked by Ofsted to ensure they are suitable to be with children. Supporting policies to safeguard children are in place, for example, such as child protection, health and safety, and behaviour. The welcoming premises are secure with risk assessments in place and recorded. However, the risk assessments do not include the date of completion or for review. This is a legal requirement. Children are learning what to do in an emergency because the childminder ensures the emergency evacuation procedures are practised. They feel safe as they confidently move through the home and seek the support of the childminder in their play. The childminder plans an inclusive environment in which children can make choices from the wide range of resources. She ensures all have

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the early years provision

an equal opportunity to participate and make certain younger children are fully involved to promote the good outcomes for all children. By celebrating the children's achievement, she gives them a sense of belonging and increases their feelings of self-worth. Through the good activities, attendance at toddler groups, children learn about the world around them and to value diversity and the differences and similarities of people.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept very well informed of the provision through the sharing of appropriate policies and procedures such as the safeguarding procedure. Notices and information is displayed in the entrance hall for parents, including some of the legal requirements and the registration certificate. Relationships with other agencies are good with meaningful information is shared, promoting a consistent approach with the children in their care. The childminder is committed to her continuous improvement and has undertaken training to develop her childcare skills. Effective systems are in place to monitor the provision, for example, such as her reflective approach and the self-evaluation form. She is fully aware of the areas for improvement, for example, building upon resources, and completing further training to improve her knowledge and skill, and therefore, outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good relationships with children. She is actively involved with them and supports them in their learning as they make good progress towards the early learning goals given their age and starting points. Children are happy and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. Her good use of the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance and her good observation of the children ensures meaningful information regarding children's learning and development needs is obtained. Through tracking children's progress this enables her to identify where each child is in their development and allows for her to plan for their individual needs. Although there are clear links to the six areas of learning, it is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 unclear how the next steps are consistently identified and how these are used to inform planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children delight in choosing resources as they hunt for the matching game. They sit together to play the game, being engaged and involved, searching for who has the match. The older child relishes in supporting the younger child to find the matching pictures as they laugh together. They develop their independence as they decide to read a story. They eagerly recite the storyline and ask questions regarding the kangaroo and its pouch. Children feel safe and secure as they move freely though the home, riding wheeled toys or sitting at the table to take part in creative activity.

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and outcomes for children

They count the number on the clock, naming 'one, two, three, four, five and six'. The childminder explains that when the numbers are together they become one, for example, she explained sensitively how one and two together are called 12. Therefore, children learn how numbers are made up and develop their mathematical thinking. They talk about sharing, making friends and being nice, as they remind each other of the behavioural rules. Children respond well to the childminder and are well behaved. They develop their understanding of the world as they talk about cows and how milk comes from cows.

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and outcomes for children

Children readily explain the need for sunscreen when playing outdoors in the sun, as they also recognise they need to put on coats when it is cold as they understand the need to protect their bodies from the elements. They take interest in their hygiene because the childminder talks about good health and healthy foods, reminds them about washing their hands and encourages them to attend to their own needs in the bathroom. The children receive lots of praise, to which they respond with grins and a sense of pride. The positive interaction builds children's confidence and sense of self. Children get plenty of robust physical exercise as they attend the local toddler groups, access the outdoor area and go for daily walks. Overall, children play and learn in an inclusive and calm environment which is conducive to them making consistently good progress in their learning. 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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