Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357772 Inspection date 14/09/2011 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 2007. She lives with her husband, who assists her and two children over eight years in Eccleston in Lancashire. Ground floor areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a secure rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children under eight years at any one time including three in the early years age group when working alone. This may increase to six when working with an assistant. She currently cares for four children in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds relevant level three qualifications and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local Childminding Network.

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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

The childminder provides an excellent environment where children's welfare and learning needs are exceptionally well met. She is passionate about supporting children's development and learning and does so in a very safe yet stimulating environment. All aspects of the childminding provision are outstanding and the childminder's capacity to continue to develop her provision while maintaining high standards is excellent

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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 further ways to develop the outdoors to provide continuous provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing the best possible service for children and their families. All aspects of safeguarding are well considered and as a result successfully keep children safe. They include ensuring suitability checks are completed on family members at the appropriate time, checking the identification of visitors and maintaining up to date child-protection procedures.

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the early years provision

All the areas of the childminder's home which are used for childminding are routinely risk assessed when anything changes to ensure children remain safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wherever they play. Any outings the childminder takes the children on are checked for potential hazards and action is taken to minimise any risk to children.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is very well promoted. The childminder has high aspirations for quality and a strong commitment to equality for all. The methods used to support children's understanding, learning and well-being consistently improve outcomes for children in relation to their starting points and capabilities. Positive behaviour management strategies are seamlessly implemented and significantly impact on children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder's engagement with parents and carers is outstanding. Relationships are very positive and ensure she is fully informed of children's changing needs. Parents are regularly asked for their views and these are taken into account when important decisions are being made. Parents are kept extremely well informed of their child's achievements, well-being and development through daily chats, diary sheets and monthly emailed learning journals. Parents are encouraged to contribute to their child's assessment and regularly do so.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other agencies and providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are well established and effective in supporting continuity of care and learning. The childminder's premises are well adapted and suited to purpose. She makes the very best use of the available space and this supports children as they make excellent progress. The childminder is continually searching out new ideas to further enhance children's learning potential. These include further development of the already well provided for outdoor area. Resources are very plentiful, of high quality and used imaginatively to support children.

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and outcomes for children

Children have lots of fun while learning new skills which enable them to fulfil their potential. Even newly started children are completely content and settled in the childminder's home. They are keen to take part in the wide range of activities on offer and to initiate their own play with the easily accessible resources. This develops their enquiry skills and supports their independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children's play is assessed daily and provision made to incorporate any additional resources or activities to enable children to follow newly acquired interests or skills. A thorough record is kept of each child's achievements which clearly show how they are developing and making progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to maintain their personal safety through clear routines with older children supporting their younger friends. The childminder is an exceptionally good role model to the children and points out potential hazards so that children learn to make decisions about the kind of risk they may or may not take during the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play. New equipment and toys are demonstrated to the children to ensure they get maximum benefit from them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is very effectively promoted as they learn why they wash their hands at certain times and how to do so efficiently to destroy any germs for instance after playing out in the garden or in the sand tray. They have a song they sing to the tune of 'row, row, row the boat' to remind themselves. Children are well cared for if they have an accident or when they become unwell because the childminder maintains a current paediatric first aid certificate and a well equipped first aid kit. Although she does not routinely care for children who are ill, she obviously looks after them until their parents can arrange to collect them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's dietary needs are very well catered for. The childminder ensures she has all the necessary information about children's allergies and preferences and her husband, who assists her, prepares delicious meals and snacks for the children. Children have a daily carton of milk and are encouraged to take regular drinks of water throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children rarely test the childminder's boundaries and rules because they are so busy and engrossed in their play although if they do, they quickly take notice again due to the childminder's excellent child-management skills. As she knows the children so well she is able to anticipate their reactions to certain situations and take effective action without damaging their self-esteem. Children enjoy the childminder's attention and show by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel very safe in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children play a full and active part in their learning by showing curiosity and a desire to share their learning with others. For example, when a child tells the story of little red riding hood to her friends using the puppets just like the childminder does.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit greatly from the varied outdoor provision which enables them to learn about nature while developing communication, literacy and problem solving skills. They also develop their physical skills on the apparatus.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop further skills for the future as they form friendships with other minded children either at the childminder's home or when they visit groups together. 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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