Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 308968 Inspection date 27/10/2011 Inspector Sandra Williams

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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 March 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and four years in Heysham, Morecambe. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as the bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops and parks and attends local toddler groups. The family have a pet rabbit and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, they may care for a maximum of four children in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education.

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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

The childminder has a good knowledge of each individual child's needs and interests and makes sure that they are progressing well, given their age, ability and starting points. Children are safeguarded due to the childminder's effective implementation of most of the safety procedures. The partnerships with parents and other providers of Early Years Foundation Stage are excellent. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation process in order to identify her strengths and areas for further development and continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessments to ensure they include anything with which a child may come into contact, including the stability of the fireguard and ensuring that the front door keys are inaccessible to children  review the procedure for recording accidents so that it is clear that parents have been informed about all accidents that have occurred.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has undertaken relevant training and has a good awareness of child protection issues. She has clear written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 policies and procedures in place to support her should she have any concerns about any of the children. There are thorough written risk assessments to cover hazards in the house, garden and outings. All of the safety requirements are well met, apart from the fireguard, which is currently not secured to the wall and poses a hazard when children accidentally pull it towards them. The premises are kept secure as the childminder keeps the doors locked to prevent the risk of intruders entering. The keys are left in the front door and are currently accessible to children, which could pose a potential hazard, although the childminder does supervise them very well and is confident that the children will not touch the keys.

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the early years provision

All of the required documentation is in place including written policies containing useful information. Accidents are recorded and all but one of them are counter signed by parents as evidence that they have been informed of any accidents occurring. The deployment of resources is good as the children can access a good selection of toys and books that are stored at low level in labelled boxes. Equality and diversity is promoted well by the childminder who has a good range of books, toys and activities to help children learn about differences and diversity.

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the early years provision

Excellent relationships exist between the childminder and parents and carers. Parents are extremely happy with the care provided for their children. They comment, verbally and in writing, very positively about the high level of care provided by this caring and nurturing childminder. The childminder has extremely effective systems in place to ensure a daily, two-way flow of information takes place. Parents are kept really well informed about what the children are achieving and how they have spent their day. Links with other providers and professionals are very effective. For example, when children require additional support with their speech and language, the childminder works very closely and supportively with parents and therapists in order to provide a consistent approach to the children's care. The childminder is clearly very well respected by parents and local professionals, including teachers at the nearby schools.

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the early years provision

The childminder has addressed the two recommendations made during the last inspection, by amending the details in the safeguarding policy and the parental consents, thus improving safety procedures. She has completed the self-evaluation process thoroughly and has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for further development. She is committed to continuous improvement and keeps up to date with relevant training courses.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a homely and friendly environment where children feel confident and comfortable in her care. They feel safe and well protected by the childminder who is extremely caring, affectionate and reassuring. She teaches the children to keep themselves safe in many ways. For example, when travelling in the car, the children know that they need to wear seatbelts and they take care whilst crossing the road. In the house, the children tidy up their toys and know not to run in case they hurt themselves or others. Children have excellent opportunities to adopt healthy lifestyles through eating nutritious snacks and home This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 made meals. They enjoy helping the childminder to plant and harvest a range of fruit and vegetables grown in the garden and they excitedly recall finding lots of caterpillars in the garden. They enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise as they play

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and outcomes for children

in the well equipped garden and enjoy a wide variety of outings to parks and soft play centres. Children are developing excellent awareness of good hygiene practices as they automatically wash their hands after using the toilet and before they eat their snack. Children are extremely well-behaved, polite, sociable and display good manners. They enjoy many social occasions, such as attending lunches and toddler groups where they socialise with other children and adults. They are learning good skills in recognising emotions as they sit and talk about their feelings and experiences. Children also learn about taking care of the environment as they help to recycle household items and know not to be wasteful.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes lots of photographs of the children's activities and achievements during their time with her. They have individual learning journals which records their individual next steps in their learning whilst with the childminder. The children develop their skills in literacy by choosing from a good range of age-appropriate books in the cosy book corner. The environment is rich in labels, which also helps children to understand that words carry meaning. They enjoy mark making activities using various items such as pens and crayons which they can access and help themselves to. The children develop good numeracy and problem solving skills as they count in everyday situations. For example, when out on walks they recognise numbers on doors and cars. They also enjoy helping the childminder to sort the socks into pairs. Children's opportunities to learn about information and communication technology are good due to the resources

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and outcomes for children

available to them. For example, they have access to a laptop computer, as well as programmable toys and digital cameras. Children's creativity is encouraged in many different ways. For example, they enjoy dressing up and playing with musical instruments. They have good opportunities to learn about diversity in this inclusive and welcoming setting. They access resources that promote positive images, such as books and small world figures. They also enjoy eating Chinese food at Chinese New Year. Overall, children benefit greatly from attending this homely and relaxed setting. 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 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 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 1 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: 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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