Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417577 Inspection date 16/08/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 2010 and lives with her partner in the Oswaldtwistle area of Accrington. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom and bedroom are used for childminding. There is no outdoor play area, however, there is access to the local parklands. The childminder has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She also offers care for children aged eight to 11 years. She presently has three children on roll. The childminder walks or drives to pre-schools to take and collect children and also attends toddler groups. The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a homely, child-friendly environment. Children benefit from a selection of age-appropriate resources, activities and experiences in the local community to help them make satisfactory progress. Parents and carers are welcomed and suitable relationships are formed, ensuring that each child's needs are met. Some of the childminder's systems are in their infancy and are not fully implemented, but she has a realistic view of current practice and how to develop key areas further to fully promote children's welfare and progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in each child's developmental progress  update the record of risk assessment to include any outings to ensure children's safety  develop evaluation systems to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve  plan activities which take account of the differing needs of individual children and tailor the approach to each child's needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and of her responsibility to safeguard children. She is able to respond appropriately to any behaviour which gives her cause for concern. All adults living in the household are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 known to Ofsted to enable appropriate checks to be undertaken. The safety and security of children is ensured through effective supervision. The childminder is vigilant about safety around the home and has completed a written risk assessment to cover aspects of the property in order to demonstrate how hazards are minimised. The daily routine includes attendance at community groups, playgroups, parks and local amenities to vary children's experiences and enable them to enjoy fresh air and exercise. However, these outings have not been risk assessed to show how children's safety is maintained. The home is appropriately

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the early years provision

maintained and the childminder adopts suitable hygiene routines to promote children's good health in areas, such as, food preparation, provision for children's sleeps and nappy changing.

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the early years provision

There are suitable, age-appropriate resources stored in coloured crates and at low levels around the playroom to enable children to make some choices about their play and begin to develop independence. Posters and pictures are displayed, making the environment welcoming and inviting.

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the early years provision

Parents have access to the childminder's policies, which explain how the setting operates. They share information about their child as they begin to access the service; this information helps the childminder to meet individual needs and to support children to make satisfactory progress. Home link diaries are completed each day and provide valuable information about care routines. Children's development records are discussed periodically to involve parents in their children's learning, although their comments and observations are not added to the profiles to show a complete picture of the children's progress. The childminder understands the value of liaison with other provisions children may attend, when the need arises, in order to promote consistency of care and education.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not evaluated her practice to consider how she can develop her provision in respect of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shows a willingness to progress and has completed her National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and Education since registration. She uses the knowledge she gained from her training proactively to promote children's learning appropriately. She is keen to take advice to continue to improve practice and meet all requirements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. They take part in a variety of activities, and as a result make steady progress in their learning. The childminder is developing her understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her knowledge of the areas of learning. She tracks and records children's achievements, but is not fully aware of what stage of development children are at. Observations are supported by photographs of children's involvement in activities, but are not used effectively to plan for individual children's progression.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning appropriately as she joins in their play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and by offering activities that they are interested in. They sit together on the floor, sharing the interactive toys; the young children enjoy pushing buttons and creating effects, learning how things work. They build with wooden blocks and are encouraged to begin to count. Children's language skills develop as they make animal noises and as they copy sounds that their playmates and their carer make. They respond happily to puppets and babble in reply to the childminder's conversation. Babies pull themselves up on furniture and mobility toys, beaming as they succeed and are able to view the room from a new perspective. Their achievement is celebrated by their carer who offers praise and reassurance, developing their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a variety of opportunities to learn about the world around them. They visit the local parks and farms, where they particularly enjoy looking at and handling the animals. They take part in activities which help them learn about how others live, for instance, experiencing Chinese food and looking at the Chinese culture.

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and outcomes for children

Children play with dolls, re-enacting familiar care routines, feeding and dressing them and putting them to sleep in the buggy. They relish the opportunity to paint with brushes and sponges and are introduced to the effects of mixing the colours; however, the range of resources for the activity arelimited and consequently hamper their exploration. At times activities are not adapted effectively to meet the age range of children attending, for instance, the youngest children are not fully involved in the experience of painting, although they are keen to participate.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave appropriately, supported and reassured by the calm interaction of their carer. They understand the routines of the day and are keen to please the childminder or help their younger peers. They sit together for their snack time after washing their hands to 'remove the germs.' They learn about healthy eating as they choose the fruit to be included in their smoothie. Babies enjoy their vegetable and fruit finger food and are encouraged to feed themselves. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they practise the fire evacuation procedures and develop their understanding of road safety and the danger of talking to strangers while on outings. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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