Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307812 Inspection date 26/01/2012 Inspector Lynne Naylor

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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 1992. She lives with her husband in the Edenfield area of Ramsbottom, Bury. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The bathroom on the first floor is also used. The rear yard is available for outdoor play. The childminder walks to toddler groups and is able to take children to and collect them from local schools. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range and of these, not more than one maybe under one year at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently no children attending aged over five years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She receives support from the local authority.

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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

Children's unique needs are well met and they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder follows effective policies to maintain children's health and safety. The childminder does not evaluate her practice against robust criteria, however, she reflects on her practice and identifies suitable areas for development. This demonstrates she has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She organises her home and resources well to be inclusive and accessible. She verbally communicates well with parents and her links with other settings that children attend are evolving.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen systems to monitor and promote children's progress towards the early learning goals and enable parents to contribute what they know about their child's learning and development  use a self-evaluation system to identify strengths and areas for development build on the partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for a child, or group of children, to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly refreshes her safeguarding training, which keeps her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures up-to-date. She has a good knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse or neglect and how to liaise with appropriate agencies. The childminder keeps children safe in the home, garden and on outings. Every day, she follows a checklist to make sure that identified hazards are minimised. Other records linked to keeping children safe are well maintained. These include, records relating to attendance, evacuation practice, accidents and medicine administration. All adults who live in the house have undergone appropriate clearance procedures, which help to maintain children's safety. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, which means she is competent to take appropriate action in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

The ground floor provides children with independent access to a wide range of different activities and experiences. High quality resources are varied and used well to support children's learning and development. Some resources promote positive attitudes to differences in culture and respect for diversity. Children enjoy daily opportunities to be outdoors. Sometimes in the rear garden but more often they go for walks in the local area or visit local parks.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps a current knowledge of childcare issues through use of the internet and she regularly meets with a couple of local childminders to discuss relevant and topical issues. She has fully addressed the recommendation from the last inspection. As a result, children have access to a wider range of natural materials, which they explore using all their senses. The evaluation of the setting is not yet firmly set against robust criteria. However, the childminder reflects on her practice, listens to any views expressed by parents and children and takes on board new ideas to successfully improve outcomes for children. She is beginning to formally seek parental views using questionnaires.

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the early years provision

The childminder has positive working relationships with parents. They verbally exchange useful information and parents access a range of useful written information, including, clearly presented policies and procedures. The childminder sets realistic targets for children's learning based on her good knowledge of their interests and assessments of their abilities, consequently, outcomes for children are good. Each child has an attractive learning journal, which is beginning to formally evidence their progress. There are clear references to the learning and development requirements. This demonstrates the childminder's clear awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, information from parents is not included in the children's records of achievement. Therefore, the records do not yet provide a full picture of children's abilities. The childminder understands the benefits of working in partnership with other settings delivering the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity for individual children. The liaison does not yet support children's learning but daily verbal exchanges of information ensure children's welfare needs are met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual health, physical and dietary needs are well met. They eat a variety of healthy snacks and nutritious lunches made by the childminder. Children demonstrate an awareness of their own needs, for example, they independently access the toilet and wash their hands before lunch. Every day, children exercise vigorously in the fresh air, which is good for their physical development. They go for regular walks in the area to attend local groups or to use climbing equipment at the park and go on nature walks. This makes exercise fun and increases their awareness of nature as they hunt for bugs in trees and walls and look closely at them using a magnifying glass. They refine their mark making skills as they note what they have found on laminated lists. Children also practise early writing skills as they make marks with fingers in paint and with coloured pencils on paper. They enjoy games, such as, dominoes and flipping plastic frogs into a bowl, which refine

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and outcomes for children

their understanding of number. Young children demonstrate a good awareness of shape and size as they purposefully cut shapes from coloured paper and card to make a picture of a face.

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and outcomes for children

Children acquire a good awareness of hygiene and safety procedures through stories, routines and planned experiences, such as baking. They use gardening tools safely as they enjoy experiences, such as planting and caring for a range of vegetables. This also teaches children about how food is grown. Young children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play harmoniously alongside each other. They learn to safely evacuate a building in an emergency as they practise regularly. Their awareness of the role of people who keep us safe and how to cross roads safely is raised through planned activities. Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who effectively promotes their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a home made interesting and welcoming with their art work, posters and photographs. They acquire a wide range of good skills that equip them well for the future. Their progress in communicating, literacy and skills relating to information and communication technology develop well through play and everyday experiences. They learn to socialise, share and take turns with others, as they visit local groups and meet up with other children. They show curiosity and a desire to explore. They learn about their own culture and those of others through stories and craft activities. For example, children attend a weekly toddler group where they listen to bible stories and make items, such as a puppet of a Roman soldier following an Easter story. At Chinese New Year, children use chopsticks to taste a range of Chinese foods and make paper lanterns. Children are environmentally aware as they are reliably informed about environmental issues.

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and outcomes for children

They recycle paper and plastic containers and learn about water conservation as they look at posters provided by a water utility company. Consequently, they learn to value their community and the wider world. 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 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 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 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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