Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY235036 Inspection date 31/10/2011 Inspector Joanne Law

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, 11 and 13 years in Preston, Lancashire. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a number of pets including one dog, three cats, two guinea pigs and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early year's age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, they attend a variety of sessions one of which is fulltime. 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 able to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries. She attends local toddler groups and takes children into the community on a daily basis.She is a member of the National Childminding Association. Support and training is accessed through the local authority Sure Start development team.

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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 organised her home extremely well which enables children to enjoy their time in a welcoming and stimulating environment. Children's unique needs are met and they make rapid progress in their learning and development. Robust documentation to ensure the safety and welfare of children is in place. The childminder has made excellent progress in developing her service since her last inspection and demonstrates an inspiring and enthusiastic capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Utmost priority is given to partnerships with parents to support the learning, development and welfare of children. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the importance of partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Securing a consistent two way flow of information is on- going.

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further?

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

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further?

 building upon links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence of children's learning and development. 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 and well protected because the childminder is extremely knowledgeable about local safeguarding policies and has robust procedures in place. The highly comprehensive risk assessments and daily checks carried out by the childminder ensure the home is a safe and secure environment for children. This means that children can move very freely around the setting. Children are further protected because the childminder keeps good records including medication, accident and attendance records. Safety of children whilst out in the community is of utmost priority. For example, the childminder uses identification badges and fun belt alarms for the children to wear.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to support children in their learning. The environment is extremely well organised and accessible to children. For example, children including babies, actively choose their own resources which enables them to thrive and make rapid progress in their development. The resources that the childminder provides are varied and imaginative, such as, the use of natural materials and homemade books.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She enthusiastically looks for ways to improve her provision for the children and sets herself ambitious and appropriate targets. She has addressed previous recommendations swiftly and effectively. She regularly attends training and uses her experience to enhance the learning environment for children. For example, she recently attended a course which resulted in her reassessing the environment from a child's level. This resulted in changes to the outdoor area to make it more stimulating to children's senses. The childminder is motivated to seek further improvement and she monitors the progress of children and adapts her teaching around this.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms excellent working relationships with parents and carers. A superb settling in procedure is in place for children and the childminder provides families with an in-depth prospectus prior to enrolment. She obtains information about each child and encourages visits and discussions prior to enrolment. This means that parent's wishes and children's individual needs are well met. The childminder and parents share important information about their child's starting points and progress using communication diaries, learning journeys and verbal exchange of information. This means that parents are involved in their child's learning and each child is well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. Relationships with other provisions and professionals involved with the children are well established and contribute well to supporting children's welfare and learning. Formal links with other providers that all children attend are

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the early years provision

still being fully built upon, to ensure a seamless delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage for all children.

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the early years provision

A highly effective equal opportunities policy is in place and reviewed regularly. This means that the individual needs of all children are very effectively met and all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are included fully in the life of the setting. The childminder offers sensitive support to all children. She readily adapts activities to ensure that all children can access them. The childminder displays posters of positive images of children and families from different cultural backgrounds and has good quality resources that reflect equality and diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making rapid progress in their learning and development because the childminder has an exceptionally good understanding of how children learn through play. Children enjoy an interesting range of activities which have clear links to the areas of learning in the Early Year Foundation Stage. Systems for recording observations, planning activities and assessments of children, significantly enhance practice with children. The children demonstrate their extreme confidence and independence as they move around selecting different toys and resources. The excellent organisation of equipment and toys enables children to use resources and follow their curiosity as learners. Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts through daily routines and play. For example, when going to the shops to buy ingredients and repeating colours during mark making. Children's communication, language and literacy development is

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and outcomes for children

significantly enhanced through positive interaction and also making their own books. The childminder is animated and enthusiastic, making learning fun for the children in her care. The environment is also rich in sign, symbols, photos and labels enhancing opportunities for children to learn about words.

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and outcomes for children

They develop an acute understanding of the wider world through engaging in discussions and learning through active play with positive images of diversity in play equipment, resources and books. Children learn about festivals, such as, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Through talking about differences, celebrating different festivals and traditions and having a good selection of resources, the children are learning about diversity and the world in which they live. Children have access to a range of electronic toys to develop skills in operating equipment. Children learn about the growing process as they are involved in making 'fun plants'. The childminder has a commitment to sustainability involving the children in recycling.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain a secure understanding of the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating is promoted and children benefit from a nutritious range of snacks and drinks. The childminder takes the children to local farm shops to buy fresh produce for snack. Children are aware of the need to be hygienic as the childminder adheres to hygiene procedures, such as, children washing their hands before eating.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks about road safety when they go for walks. An evacuation procedure is recorded in the policy file and the childminder practises the fire drill with the children every month. As a result, children gain a very good awareness of staying safe. The childminder has a very strong bond with the children and they gain a strong sense of security. For example, the younger children raise their arms This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for comfort and follow their own routines confidently. Children are extremely happy and engaged. For example, they play with the childminder and are eager to impress. The children behave impeccably well as lots of praise is given for positive behaviour. As a result children have excellent self-esteem and understand when they have done well. 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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