Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 12 Sept 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423670 Inspection date 12/09/2011 Inspector Mary Wignall

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, seven and nine years old in Rishton, Blackburn. Children use the whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home. There is a secure, fully enclosed outdoor play area. The family have goldfish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range at any one time. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll, of these one is in the early years age range. The childminder has a degree in early childhood studies. She is supported by the local authority and is a member of the local 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 feel safe and active as the childminder knows their individual needs well and plans to meet them effectively. The childminder is caring and implements most policies and procedures consistently to ensure each child's well-being. She has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements resulting in the children making good progress in their learning. Standards are maintained and improved by the childminder's strong commitment to professional development. Links with local partners, especially children's centres and childminder's groups, effectively promote good quality care and learning for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve understanding of requirements regarding complaints and investigate all written complaints relating to the requirements and notify complainants of the outcome of the investigation within 28 days of having received the complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (this also applies to the Childcare Register). 27/09/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 use quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review to assess what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures parents and visitors to her home understand her priority to protect children. Parents receive a written safeguarding policy and all visitors are asked to sign a visitor's record. Copies of local safeguarding procedures are kept at hand to ensure any child welfare concerns are responded to efficiently. Comprehensive risk assessments are conducted both in the home and on outings to help keep children safe. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure they are effective for all children attending and to ensure the best use of all resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder sets high standards for her provision. She liaises effectively with local partners to secure relevant training and help monitor the quality of her provision. She continually reflects on her practice and targets training to enhance use of her good quality resources. For instance, she implements good practice procedures on the use of empathy dolls to fully enhance children's learning. However, she does not make full use of quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing evaluation and review to drive further improvements.

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the early years provision

An effective equal opportunity policy is implemented ensuring the childminder has full information about the children's background to plan appropriately for each child. Children learn about the wider world in planned activities and the use of good quality resources.

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the early years provision

A brochure of policies and procedures offers parents good information about the setting and includes information about effective behaviour management. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to investigate and record complaints. However, her written policy does not fully reflect her understanding and is not fully in line with legal requirements to ensure any complaints are dealt with appropriately. This is a breach of welfare requirements. Visits to help settle children prior to starting are used well to obtain full information about the children and build positive working relationships with parents. Daily verbal and written communication keeps parents well informed about their children's experiences and progress. Attractive and informative displays help children see their art work and inform parents of what the children have been doing. The childminder understands the benefits of exchanging information with other providers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a stimulating and inviting learning and play environment the children enjoy being in and are confident to explore. Her planning systems are clearly linked to learning goals and ensure children have opportunities to experience and learn from a wide range of activities. Planning for individual children makes full use of the childminder's observations on their learning and clearly builds on their strengths and interests. Children's learning progress is recorded in individual files containing samples of their work, photographs and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's observations and assessments. This provides comprehensive and accurate information about children's individual learning to help the childminder plan and assess children's learning effectively. The childminder interacts skilfully to engage children and ensure they enjoy learning. Her playful interactions help

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and outcomes for children

children feel special and develop their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn useful skills for the future as they play with a wide range of good quality toys. The childminder recognises children's early voices as they make different sounds. She promotes good communication skills as she talks to children giving them her full attention. The children enjoy her interaction and show good listening skills as they delight in listening to her sing fun action songs. They use their voice confidently as they are sure of the childminder's response. She talks to them about what they are doing and gives time for them to respond, developing their understanding and enjoyment of conversations. Creative play with corn flour mixtures encourages the children's physical coordination skills, as well as stimulating their interest in different textures. She stimulates their interest in technology and how things work as she shows children how to press buttons on toys to make different animal shapes pop up. They show good concentration as

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and outcomes for children

they spend time playing with stacking cups. They learn about shapes and size as they see them stacked on top of each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate secure relationships as they use voice to attract the childminder's attention as they leave the room. Good partnership with parents means the childminder has full information about their individual needs, such as, eating and sleeping routines. She uses this information well to settle children and make them feel safe and secure. The childminder encourages young children to become self-aware. She has noticed their interest in mirrors and ensures one is close by for them to find and look at their reflections. This results in children being active and curious. They are developing a good attitude to learning. The childminder encourages their safe exploration of toys and the environment without being fearful. Children are confident to try out new skills, such as, crawling and are encouraged by the childminder to take risks within a safe environment. Children spend time outdoors daily benefiting room the fresh air and finding out about their

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and outcomes for children

local environment. Indoors, careful planning of the environment means children have large areas to explore safely. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 27/09/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 27/09/2011

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