Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343355 Inspection date 30/11/2011 Inspector Jennifer Kennaugh

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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 2006 and lives in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire with her husband and daughter. Children have access to the hall, playroom, utility and dining room, kitchen, a sitting room on the first floor and a first floor bedroom. Rooms on the first floor are used for children who need to sleep. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder can care for up to three children under the age of five at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, who attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is open from 8am to 5pm Mondays to Thursdays, term-time only and with the exception of bank holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 promotes children's learning and development well by meeting all children's individual needs. She has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which leads to positive outcomes for children in their learning and development. Children are happy and secure as a consequence, in a generally safe and inclusive environment. The childminder has very good partnerships with parents, who are consulted and well informed about their children's daily routine, care and learning. The childminder has a high level of understanding of how to liaise with other agencies and professionals to promote continuity of care and education. The childminder has a comprehensive approach to self-evaluation and demonstrates a secure capacity to make continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for all outings, which includes an assessment of required adult to child ratios; the assessment must be reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 30/12/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop systems for formative assessment to support individual planning and information sharing  devise ways for parents to contribute to children's learning and development records.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and protected in the setting because the childminder has received relevant training and has effective procedures in place to manage any concerns about children in her care. Adults on the premises are suitably vetted as safe to work with young children. Risk assessments are made for some specific outings, but not for all groups attended and this is a breach of welfare requirements. However, the childminder has thorough risk assessments in place for walking outdoors with children and transporting them in a vehicle as well as a comprehensive general toddler group risk assessment. The premises have been risk assessed and good safety measures implemented, so children can move freely and safely in permitted areas. Overall, the childminder shows a good awareness of how to keep children safe, despite shortcomings in documentation.

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the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and child development so children are well supported in their learning. The play areas are spacious and well organised so children have enough space to develop their play. Toys are rotated regularly to provide children with new challenges. Good use is made of local resources such as the library, toddler groups and the zoo to support children's learning across all six areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning. The childminder uses the internet to update her knowledge of childcare to extend and maintain inclusive practice, especially with regard to special educational needs and/or disabilities. Policies and practice regarding equality of opportunity are excellent so that all children's rights are upheld exceptionally well in the setting.

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the early years provision

Strong partnerships are formed with parents, and their views are sought to evaluate the provision. They receive detailed verbal and written information about their children's care and progress towards the early learning goals. Consequently, they are well informed about their children's achievements. The childminder makes exceptional efforts to liaise with parents about children's additional needs, to provide continuity of approach in areas such as behaviour management.

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the early years provision

The childminder does not currently liaise with other settings as children attend only hers, but she is clear about how she would do this to promote continuity of care and education. The childminder has a high level of awareness of the need to provide information to other professionals who support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder records children's progress well through observations to support her planning, but does not have ways for parents to contribute to children's learning records. Consequently, this information cannot be used to support planning. The recording system used does not contain regular formative assessments across all six areas of learning. As a result, it does not provide a regular and complete picture of a child's attainment for evaluation purposes or other professionals' information.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore their environment fully, showing confidence. They are clearly attached to the childminder because they draw her attention to their activities, needs and wants. Consequently, children seem happy and secure. They handle simple implements such as safety scissors competently, keeping themselves and others safe. Good practical safety measures are used around the setting, including gates and cupboard locks, to prevent accidents. The childminder uses effective measures when on outings to keep children safe, such as using appropriate pushchairs and carrying a first aid kit.

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and outcomes for children

Children have daily opportunities for outdoor exercise, by going to local parks or the nearby zoo, so that they learn to enjoy this as part of a healthy lifestyle. They can choose from a variety of fruit at snack time and have milk or water to drink. Water is available in individual beakers at all times. Meals are healthy and home- cooked, such as pasta in bolognaise sauce, and children really enjoy them. As a result, children have good opportunities to learn about foods that contribute to a healthy diet. Hand-washing is promoted at appropriate times, and children have individual towels to prevent cross-infection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a good range of toys in the playroom for children to select from easily, and rotates these regularly so children have new challenges in their learning. Outings support learning by giving children the opportunity to learn about the natural world at the zoo. They participate in play with a 'parachute' at the library when they go to song and rhyme sessions. This helps to develop communication and social skills with similarly aged children. The children especially enjoy action songs, and the childminder uses these at home so that children can practise counting and learning the names of parts of the body. Resources that can be used flexibly, such as lengths of material, are provided, and children enjoy using these to build dens, which promotes the development of physical, creative and social skills. Children thoroughly enjoy modelling with play dough, so the childminder provides coloured matchsticks to extend their creativity and to develop

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and outcomes for children

their fine physical skills. As a result, children produce imaginative models, which they talk about to extend communication skills, including a 'birthday cake' and a 'gerbil cage'. Children have supervised access to tablet computers to extend their early information and communication technology skills.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children demonstrate good behaviour and the childminder takes particular care to support children in this respect. She includes all children by setting clear boundaries. They are keen to take on small responsibilities such as tidying up and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making a positive contribution to the daily routine. Children's artwork is displayed in the playroom to enhance self-esteem. There are opportunities for children to learn about cultural diversity by celebrating festivals such as Hanukkah and Diwali, using significant objects, stories and craft. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 3 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 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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