Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307876 Inspection date 12/10/2011 Inspector Wendy Fitton

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters and family cats. The premises are situated in the Rawtenstall area of Lancashire. The whole of the property is used for childminding with the exception of the main bedroom upstairs. There is access to a rear garden. The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She works with her husband who is her assistant. There are currently eight children on roll, of whom five children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local network of childminders. She is a community support childminder and is qualified to Level 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development.

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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 has an excellent knowledge and understanding of meeting children's individual needs. The planning, observations and assessment procedures for individual children are highly effective. There are exemplary relationships with parents, other providers and professionals. These engage them in all aspects of the organisation of the child care, and keep them up to date, involved and informed of children's routines, development and progress. Required policies and procedures for the safe and efficient management of the provision are fully in place and very well documented. The system for self-evaluation to identify priorities for future targets is ongoing.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing a culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation to further identify strengths and priorities for development that will retain the high quality of the provision for all children. 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 protected and safeguarded through exemplary policies and procedures which are effectively implemented. The childminder has detailed risk assessments for the premises and any outings. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect children from any harm and follows the local procedures. The childminder is experienced and qualified in aspects of childcare and education. Children are safe and secure in the premises, and the deployment of resources is highly effective and promotes children's independence to become active learners. The childminder has a very clear vision for her provision and is fully committed to maintaining and providing high quality childcare. She continues with her own professional development and attends various training programmes. She is part of a local network of childminders and supports other newly registered childminders in her area. She endeavours to continue to update her childminding practice

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the early years provision

through the review of documentation and this is of the highest possible quality.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and other professionals are exemplary. Important information is gathered from everyone involved with children in order to meet their individual needs. The childminder has made links with the local nurseries, primary schools and children's centres who support individual children and families. Parents are extremely happy with the level of service they receive. They state that the childminder is viewed as an extension of the family, that the service is above and beyond normal expectations, and that they are grateful for all the support and the flexibility offered by the childminding service to meet their needs. Daily feedback is given to the parents via a written diary and parents are encouraged to comment about what children have been doing over the weekend. Parents access a wealth of information and see lots of photographs of their children engaged in many different activities in the childminding environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She values and supports children's learning through exceptionally well-planned activities and experiences. The planning of the learning environment is linked to the six areas of learning, with free access to continuous provision throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. The childminder provides a high quality environment which enables children to learn, develop and thrive to promote their welfare and learning. She plans and considers the needs of all the children through effective planning and observation on a continual basis. She targets future learning needs as children progress towards the early learning goals. The planning of the provision is always supported through what the childminder learns from the child as an individual. Children are extremely happy and secure and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. She has created a very homely, welcoming and

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and outcomes for children

child-centred environment. She talks to and reassures children throughout the day and works to a flexible routine, so children feel a sense of belonging. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural environment and different people in the community. They participate in outings to local parks, woodland areas, community activity centres and places of interest. They sing rhymes and listen to stories and use numbers and counting activities during their play and daily routines. For example, counting road signs, pieces of fruit at snack time and when playing with bricks and construction toys. Children learn about technology and find out how to operate electronic resources. They use computers, digital cameras and play the electronic keyboard. They develop their creative and imaginative skills through role play scenarios at the post office, the builders shop

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and outcomes for children

and when making dens and castles. Children develop very good language and communication skills as they interact with the childminder and other children throughout their play, the childminder challenges children's thinking as she asks open questions.

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and outcomes for children

Children understand the importance of keeping safe and learn how to use equipment and tools safely. They talk about crossing the road and stranger danger. They practise regular fire drills, listen for the alarm and go to the exit. Older children have been involved in developing the house safety rules. They know not to go out of the side gate without an adult and to take outdoor shoes off when inside the house. Children are extremely safe in the setting and feel very safe. They play confidently and are happy and thriving. Children learn about being healthy and active and are provided with a well balanced diet. They regularly bake and help to prepare foods. They grow herbs and vegetables in containers and use them as ingredients, and go shopping to select healthy options. The children have access to a large range of outdoor equipment, such as slides, a climbing frame, swings and an obstacle course. Children are very active at the music and

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and outcomes for children

movement sessions and the yoga classes. They sleep and rest according to their own needs. Children's behaviour is very well managed in a way that supports their understanding of what is right and wrong and in accordance with their individual ages and stages of development and understanding. Children are encouraged to play cooperatively, share and take turns. Children have very positive self-esteem as they are constantly praised and encouraged. The childminder is sensitive to any issues and uses empathy dolls to promote positive relationships and ensure that all children are valued and included in all aspects of the facilities and activities. 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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