Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 503670 Inspection date 10/11/2011 Inspector Karen McWilliam

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and children aged 13, 11 and six in Ormskirk, West Lancashire. The playroom, kitchen and two back bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 two may be in the early years range. The childminder may exceed this ratio to allow three in the early years range. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a Quality Assured Childminder. The childminder has a degree in childcare and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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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

This highly skilled and passionate childminder has an excellent knowledge of children's individual needs. She successfully promotes children's welfare and learning to a high standard. Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals given their age, ability and starting points. Children are well protected due to the childminders expert knowledge of safeguarding. Partnerships with parents are well established. Partnerships with other practitioners who deliver the Early Years foundation are exemplary in order to provide continuity for children. An extremely thorough self-evaluation by the childminder ensures she recognises her strengths and the requirements to continue her outstanding practise.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve systems for reviewing documentation

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the early years provision

The children are safeguarded from harm and neglect because the childminder ensures children's safety is paramount and implements rigorous and robust systems to protect them. The childminder has undertaken extensive training regarding child protection and is very clear of the signs and symptoms of possible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 abuse. Written safeguarding policies are in place and shared with the parents from the onset. Comprehensive risk assessments and daily checks ensure that outings and all areas of the house and garden are safe for children.

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the early years provision

Systems to monitor and evaluate the setting are excellent. Continuous professional and personal development is extremely important to the childminder having completed regular training and updated her qualifications. All activities are evaluated and reflected upon to ensure they meet the needs of the children. The childminder ensures that the views of parents and children are included in the evaluation process by regular discussion and questionnaires. She uses a wide range of range of sources to ensure continued good practise, such as, the internet and professional publications, therefore, her capacity to improve is strong.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed excellent partnerships with other early years settings the children attend. The arrangements to support transitions are excellent in ensuring a complementary and consistent approach to children's learning and development. All parents receive a welcome pack upon entry which contains a wealth of information regarding the setting, including policies. Parents are encouraged to take home their children's learning journeys on a regular basis and add comments or share special news. Daily diaries which record meals, activities, sleep times and other information, are kept for all the children, all of which ensure parents actively contribute to their children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a broad range of age appropriate, well maintained and suitable resources to support all areas of learning. She makes excellent use of the local environment as a result children make excellent links with their community. For example the children go on 'welly walks' to local farms or collect eggs from a neighbours chicken to bake cakes. The childminder continually researches to find resources to improve her provision. An excellent range of multi-cultural resources support children in developing and valuing diversity within the wider world in which they live. All resources are easily accessible, therefore, children are able to make choices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and confident. High levels of continuous verbal interaction and emotional support ensure children thrive in the childminder's care. Children demonstrate a clear sense of belonging, they proudly share their 'special books' discussing the photos in their learning journeys and recall events from when they were babies. The children sit at the laptop with the childminder looking at photographs discussing the activities they have been involved in during the week, for example getting dirty when they made mud pies. All of this contributes to their excellent communication skills and knowledge and understanding of the world.

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and outcomes for children

The children's learning outdoors is well supported. They investigate the fairy house to see if the fairies have left them any surprises, for example, treats. Promoting questioning skills and shared thinking. Babies explore the outdoors using all of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their senses as they crawl along the grass or mix water with oats and lentils. Mark making activities are continuously available, both indoors and out. For example, children make hair appointments in the role play area or chalk on the board outdoors. As a result, children are developing their early writing and drawing skills. Children have access to a wealth of activities to promote excellent problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. The childminder engages children in a shopping game, they fit pieces into jigsaws or count buns and handle money in the baker's shop.

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and outcomes for children

The quality of planning, observation and assessment for the children is exemplary. The childminder is extremely well organised. All children have their own learning journeys which show a clear and comprehensive picture of each child's development and next steps. Children's starting points are identified on entry through careful discussions with parents, consequently, individual needs and learning styles are well met.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety needs are effectively met. Children are learning to keep themselves safe and take risks as they handle tools, such as knives and scissors, and saw branches outdoors. Their health is effectively promoted as they make healthy choices from fruit, grow their own lettuces and strawberries and have daily access to fresh air. The childminder makes excellent use of the local community by taking children on visits to the park to further develop their physical skills as they run, balance and climb. Good hygiene practices are well established and all children have their own nappy changing mats, as a result, the risk of cross infection is minimised.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved in the setting. The childminder is an excellent role model who supports the children with lots of praise and encouragement. Pictorial displays of behaviour expectations further reinforce this. Children develop excellent skills for the future childminders in the childminders care. The laptop is freely accessible for the children. Children take lots of photographs with the camera and record themselves singing then sing along as they play their recordings back. The children plan and draw their own timelines and routines which are displayed and referred to supporting children's concepts of time and what comes next. 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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