Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301621 Inspection date 05/07/2011 Inspector Wendy Dockerty

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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 1996. She lives with her partner, adult son and daughter and nine-year-old child in an area of Darwen, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder also works with an assistant and is able to care for a maximum of nine children at any one time when her assistant is present. There are currently seven children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and supports their welfare and development. However, systems for observation, assessment and planning do not extend children's progress towards the early learning goals to full potential. Children are safe and secure and enjoy learning about their local area and the world around them. Documentation is generally well maintained, however, there are some omissions in required records. Partnerships with parents are secure, ensuring that children's individual care needs are met and that information regarding children's welfare and development is shared. The childminder has implemented a self-evaluation record and has started to identify areas for future development.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 05/07/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observation and assessment to plan the next steps for each child's developmental progress. 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 from harm as the childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children and has attended training in this area. Detailed written policies are in place and are shared with parents to ensure correct procedures are followed should there be any concerns regarding a child's welfare. The childminder carries out risk assessments of the premises, garden and regular outings which enable her to protect children from potential hazards. Most documents are well maintained. However, the attendance register does not accurately record the times of arrival and departure of some children as they leave the childminder's care at various times during the days they attend. This is a breach of requirements, although the impact on children's overall welfare is minimal.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents mean that information regarding children's welfare and development is shared well. The childminder displays information within her home which parents can see and provides a copy of all her written policies to each parent. Daily diaries, verbal discussions, phone calls and text messages keep parents up to date with their children's progress. The childminder obtains appropriate written parental consents during the admissions procedure, which help to keep children safe in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has forged some partnerships with other early years settings minded children attend. She is known to the nursery staff, and the childminder is aware of some of the activities children are involved in. The childminder offers an inclusive provision where all children are respected as individuals and they have a good understanding of diversity in the world around them. The childminder has completed a written self-evaluation document and has started to identify areas for improvement, but has not yet put them into practice. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. For example, a smoke alarm has been fitted on the first floor and the childminder ensures that children have no contact with the ivy in the rear garden. This has improved children's safety.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are generally provided with age-appropriate resources and enjoy a mix of adult-guided and child-led activities. The childminder takes children to toddler groups, play centres and the library. They enjoy active, physical play during visits to the park, and spend a lot of their time in the childminder's garden playing with the sand, wheeled toys, balls and other resources. Children spend their time involved in a range of activities and are able to choose from a wide selection of resources such as a doll's house, toy cars, books, baby dolls and dressing-up clothes. They use their imagination as they pretend to make lunch in the play kitchen and offer plates of food to the childminder and visitors. Children begin to make marks as they draw on the easel with chalk and use brushes and sponges to paint. They

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 share books and are encouraged to talk about what they are doing, which supports their communication, language and literacy skills. During painting activities, children begin to recognise, name and select different colours as they create their pictures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has compiled a folder for each child, which contains photographs of them involved in activities and pictures they have drawn. These are accompanied by some observational comments describing what the children achieved during the activities and what they enjoy. These observations and assessments are not used, however, to identify and plan the next steps in children's learning. Therefore, children's learning and development is not promoted to full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are promoted by the childminder as she ensures they are cared for in a safe environment. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves healthy as they follow daily routines, such as washing hands before eating and after messy play, and they are beginning to understand about healthy eating. The childminder offers a mix of home-cooked and processed foods, such as cannelloni, beans on toast and hot dogs, and encourages children to eat fruits and vegetables. Children have their own beakers of drinking water, to which they help themselves throughout the day. The childminder has a certificate for food hygiene training and both the childminder and her assistant have an up-to-date certificate in paediatric first aid. Children are developing a good awareness of keeping themselves safe as they practise fire drills and show an understanding of road safety when out and about. The childminder talks to children about appropriate

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and outcomes for children

behaviour and supports them to be kind to each other, share and take turns. This helps children to respect others' needs. Children also learn about diversity as positive images are available within the childminder's home and the childminder provides a selection of activities to celebrate different cultural festivals. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 05/07/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 05/07/2011

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