Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 500914 Inspection date 03/02/2012 Inspector Janet Singleton

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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 1992. She lives with her partner and adult son in the area of Livesey, Blackburn, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending within the early years age range, whom attends on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Observation and assessments are generally completed but do not inform future planning. The safe and welcoming environment enables children to be active learners. Most policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the setting are in place. Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory. The childminder is committed to the evaluation and continuous improvement of her provision, but this is in its infancy with no formal system for the monitoring of any actions taken is in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation and assessment procedure to identify children's learning priorities and use these to inform future planning in order to plan more effectively for children's progress towards the early learning goals  further develop the system for the evaluation of your childminding practice in order to identify the strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  ensure the correct poster for contacting Ofsted is displayed should parents wish to contact the regulatory body, Ofsted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The arrangements for safeguarding are satisfactory with the childminder ensuring all adults in the home have undergone checks to determine their suitability. She is aware of the action to take should she be concerned about a child and has the required supporting safeguarding policies and contact details in place. Through appropriate risk assessments, the home is safe and secure for children. Risk assessments completed for the different outings undertaken further safeguards children. Visitors to the home are checked and are invited to sign the visitor's book to maintain a record of those other adults present. Most of the required documentation to support the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and is currently under review.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable her observe, assess and mostly plan for children's needs. The organisation of the child-orientated and welcoming environment means that children can access the appropriate resources and an inclusive environment is provided for all. Children can choose from the resources from within the playroom, for example, construction, mark-making and small world, to promote their enjoyment and achievement. Resources that reflect the differences and similarities of people are available to them. Through celebrating festivals, children learn about the cultures and traditions of others. Partnership with parents is satisfactory and information pertaining to the childminder's practice is shared with them. Children's personal details are completed and all required parental consents are in place, for example, the seeking of emergency treatment or advice. The insurance details,

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the early years provision

certificate of registration and the poster for contacting Ofsted are displayed within the entrance hall of the home. However, the poster, although, it has the correct telephone number, does not have the correct address for contacting Ofsted. Partnerships with others are satisfactory.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision and has sought the support of the early years development worker. She has attended training on the observation and assessment procedure and has begun to work on implementing this into her practice. Although, she is committed to the improvement of her setting, the systems for her self-evaluation are not robust enough to support the ongoing internal review of her provision.

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and outcomes for children

The childminders sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage means children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals given their age and capability. Through establishing children's starting points by the completion of their personal details with parents, she is beginning to find out what children can do. She is starting to undertake observations on the children and shares this information with parents to obtain their viewpoint on their child's learning and development. She records some of the children's progress through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the use of the significant comment sheet to identify changes in their development. However, the observation and assessment process is currently being reviewed and is not being used to inform future planning to enable her to plan for children's identified needs. The planning system is very informal and it is difficult to see how

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and outcomes for children

challenges for children are also planned for. The childminder has an example plan of the week to share with parents, informing them of the resources, activities and daily routines she is to undertake with the children she cares for.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe as they seek the attention of the childminder to watch and support them in their play. They are developing appropriate levels of independence and confidence as they readily make choices, choosing from the selection of resources available to them. The childminder adequately supports children in their learning as she sits with them naming colours and counting. As they engage in drawing activities, the childminder talks to them about the marks they are making. The children sit with the childminder and build with the construction bricks. They talk about the car crashing and the need for it to go to the garage to be mended and how the man has to go to hospital to be mended. They laugh together and discuss what has happened using their imagination. They build a garage construction for the car as they develop their problem solving skills. They use positional language as they describe the car being on top off, and underneath the

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and outcomes for children

construction. They count their fingers and point to each one in turn, counting to five as they develop their one to one correspondence. When sounding out their name, they recognise the letters that have the same sounds, for example, the letter B is the same for the child and the dog's name as they develop their early literacy skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming and safe environment for children and this contributes to children feeling safe. Children's behaviour is managed as the childminder uses distraction, explanations and time away from others, to enable them to think about what they have done. Through everyday routines, such as, hand-washing and using the anti-bacterial gel, the children learn satisfactory hygiene practices. Nappy changing routines, including individual changing mats and the use of anti-bacterial cleaning materials, minimise the possibility of cross- contamination. The children are well-behaved and listen to the childminder, sitting quietly at the table with their drink and snack. Through outdoor activities, the children develop their physical skills as they go for walks and play in the garden at the home. They attend toddler groups as they mix, socialise and make friends with other children. The childminder praises children when they succeed in order to

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and outcomes for children

build their confidence and self-esteem. She encourages children to think as she supports them in learning, for example, naming the colour yellow, she sits with the child as they say 'yellow' and beams with pride delighting in succeeding at the task. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: 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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