Childminder in Blackpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY223242 Inspection date 04/05/2011 Inspector Lesley Sharples

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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 has been registered since October 2002. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 17, 11 and six years. The family home is in Blackpool close to a school, library, children's centre and park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding comprising of the playroom, toilet, kitchen, dining room and lounge. There is an enclosed outdoor space to the side of the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Registration is for a total of five children at any one time and the childminder is able to look after two children under 12 months. Currently there are six children attending in total, three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age range. The childminder also offers care for older children over five years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is qualified to National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education as well as recently gaining a Level 4 Certificate in the Management of Quality Standards in Children's Services. The childminder is a member of the Specialist and Teen Parent Networks and an accredited childminder offering early education. Membership of the National Childminding Association is retained.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual needs are fully recognised and exceptionally well met in the care of the childminder and within an inclusive setting. The childminder uses her qualifications and experience expertly in promoting their welfare and safety using stringent systems and thorough implementation of policies and procedures. The outstanding partnership with parents enables a shared commitment and this extends to other practitioners. The childminder is highly motivated to continue improving her exemplary standards of practice. She strives hard to achieve this through self-evaluation and ongoing training and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 exploring ways of extending partnership with parents to extend learning within the home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder places a strong emphasis on safeguarding children. She has current knowledge, through attendance on courses and clearly understands the procedures for reporting concerns. The childminder is very professional in her approach to ensuring children feel safe and are kept safe. Rigorous and finely detailed risk assessments fulfil the requirement to ensure children play in a safe environment and hazards are minimised, both on and off the premises. For example, the childminder listens to suggestions from parents relating to a handrail to the steps into the playroom. The childminder goes the extra mile by having policies and procedures which reflect most aspects of practice, such as, a television policy.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken excellent steps to continually develop her professional practice. She has high aspirations for continuous improvement and has recently gained a Level 4 certificate in delivering Quality Standards. This is reflected in her continuous improvement in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage and her depth and wealth of knowledge she has attained. The childminder plays an active role in the community. She is responsible for the childminder drop in at the local Sure Start centre and offers early education to funded children. The improvements to the designated playroom have resulted in well-managed and organised resources. Storage is in see-through boxes with pictures of their contents. Easy accessibility to children encourages choice and independence in their learning. The childminder ensures children feel included and their uniqueness recognised. They have their own pegs and photographs are displayed within the

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is successfully based on effective two-way flow of information. There is a parent file with useful information about policies and procedures and an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents are invited to complete an 'All about me' document so that the childminder can get to know the child and the family. Parents further contribute to their children's learning as they take home their files and make comments, all very appreciative and positive. The childminder agrees that this partnership working can be extended to support learning in the home. The childminder has already made significant progress in working with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage where children are going to attend. She has visited the setting with the parents and shared progress information which has been well-received. Although, no children currently attend who have special educational needs/disabilities, the

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the early years provision

childminder has worked with professionals involved in supporting children in the past.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive and are making excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder fully embraces and implements the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage documentation, working hard to ensure children achieve. The childminder uses children's interests to make learning fun. Learning journeys reflect her knowledgeable approach to recording observation, assessment and planning for next steps in children's learning. Planning is exemplary and the childminder carefully monitors observations to ensure there are no gaps in learning. The childminder shares her summative assessments with parents, showing how their children are progressing in all six areas of learning. The use of photographs, some sequencing what children are doing, make individual files a pleasure to look at and reflect the hard work and effort to make them so.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy in their play and the close relationship with the childminder provides them with a positive sense of belonging and security. They freely choose what they want to do as well as enjoying time with the childminder, especially looking at books. They explore resources within treasure baskets and experience early technology with simple programmable toys. The childminder recognises children's ability to relate experiences, for example, after watching a dog outdoors children independently find a button which makes the sound of a dog barking when pressed. Children socialise and play with others when visiting groups and going on trips. This widens their world so that they learn about their own and other communities. They experience handling marine animals at the aquarium and learn to look after living things when planting foods to eat.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creativity is enhanced through free expression when drawing and painting as well as joining in with musical activities using instruments. They respond well to instructions, stopping when the music stops. The childminder uses everyday play experiences for counting, such as, building bricks and is adept in encouraging language development, following accreditation on a specific course. The childminder uses descriptive words when a child is on a swing, such as, 'higher' and there is lovely interaction during play with expressive sounds and time given to listen to children's responses.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is vigilant in her approach to children's well-being. She supports their self-care hygienically, using individual items to prevent cross-infection when hand washing and changing nappies. Children learn in a fun way the importance of dental hygiene, using large scale resources to practise on. Children eat healthily enjoying bananas for their snack and have home cooked foods. They are kept well- hydrated as the childminder has a water dispenser in the kitchen. Children practise the fire evacuation procedures each month so they know what to do and understand road safety through vigilant practice from the childminder. Children relish their time in this setting. They behave extremely well and receive an abundance of praise and encouragement, which boosts their self-esteem and develops their confidence. This lays down firm foundations for their future. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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