Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301545 Inspection date 27/02/2012 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 2001. She lives in the residential area of Lammack, Blackburn with two adult children and her husband. The family has two pet cats, which have access to the house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, which includes toilet facilities. The childminder does not use the rear garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered with Ofsted on both the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register. There are currently 14 children on roll, eight of these are under eight years of age and six of these are in the early years age range. She may care for no more than six children under eight years of age at any one time. Of these, three may be in the early years age range and no more than two of these can be under one year old.

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Description of the childminding

When working with an assistant, the childminder may care for up to five children in the early years age range, of which two may be under one year. The childminder is qualified to level 3 in childcare and is a member of the local childminding network. She is accredited to provide early education by 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

The childminder promotes children's welfare and learning well, enabling them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and children experience positive outcomes in their learning and development. Children are happy and secure and the childminder provides a welcoming environment where promoting diversity and equality is a high priority. There are very close partnerships with parents and they are consulted and well informed of their children's daily care, routine and learning. An emphasis on forming links with other settings enhances most aspects of continuity in children's education and care. Self-evaluation is effective and the childminder is committed to making further improvements to this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation in order to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop further the exchange of information with other settings to enhance continuity in children's learning and development. 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 well in the setting because the childminder is knowledgeable about safeguarding due to relevant training. She has effective policies and procedures in place, which lead to good practical safety measures being employed. Thorough risk assessments for premises and outings help to prevent accidents and they are regularly reviewed. All documentation related to statutory requirements is in place, to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of training and attends a wide range of courses to inform her practice, including using puppets to enhance children's learning. She is well informed about the Early Years Foundation Stage as a result of training and uses this effectively so that children develop and thrive in her care. A wide range of resources is maintained, including for outdoor play, to extend children's development in all six areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder makes good use of visits, such as during Eid Mubarak when they visit a local mosque, which helps children to develop a wider knowledge and understanding of the world.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice regularly using a self-evaluation form, although, some areas of this are descriptive rather than evaluative. She has a level 3 qualification in childcare and belongs to the local childminding network. She is accredited to provide early education by the local authority and demonstrates a thorough commitment to continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder obtains information about children, on joining the setting, to inform initial planning and to help them settle quickly. Parents receive daily verbal information about children's care, routine and achievements, with very detailed yearly reports covering all six areas of learning and development. Parents are enthusiastic in their praise of the childminder in numerous testimonials and provide constructive suggestions to enhance the provision through questionnaires, such as sending children's learning records home with reports. The childminder also seeks children's views in order to inform her practice. Good use is made of curriculum information and newsletters from other settings attended by children, in order to support their learning. The childminder provides information about children's achievements to other settings, although, this is not always reciprocated.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore their environment confidently, selecting from the toys and resources on offer. They talk freely to the childminder, showing that they are settled and feel secure. The childminder encourages children to think about their own safety, to develop their independence skills and children explain clearly that they should sit up straight when eating to prevent choking. Good practical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 measures are taken to ensure children's safety, such as, checking them regularly whilst sleeping and using a fireguard to prevent access to the fireplace.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides many opportunities for outdoor play and exercise, by using local parks, fields and going for walks. She maintains good hygiene practices when serving food or changing nappies and children say why it is important to keep their hands clean, especially before eating. Children enjoy healthy foods, such as fruit and yoghurt as part of a balanced menu and posters to promote healthy eating are clearly displayed. The childminder organises daily sessions for children to join in action songs to learn about parts of the body, as well as developing early counting skills. The sessions also help to promote turn-taking and listening, enhancing children's social skills. The childminder uses a 'feelings box' to help children express their emotions, promoting good communication skills and the idea of emotional health.

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and outcomes for children

Children make very good progress in their learning and the childminder makes effective use of times when younger children are sleeping to develop the numeracy and literacy skills of older ones. She praises them warmly for their efforts to write their full name accurately and they clearly are very proud of their achievement, gaining self-esteem and motivation to learn. At lunchtime, children enjoy naming the shapes of foods they are eating, developing early skills in problem solving, reasoning and numeracy as they think about the number of sides needed for triangles. The childminder develops their creative and language skills very well by asking them what the weather is like at their lunchtime 'picnic' and the children respond by describing how it is sunny and fine.

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and outcomes for children

Planning is meticulously detailed for individual children's needs and interests and regular, frequent observations are recorded which informs planning. Good use is made of photographs to remind children of what they have done and to inform parents at collection times about their child's day. Individual needs are very well met and activities are inclusive so that all children benefit from taking part, with adaptation if needed, such as when painting or making collages. The childminder plans an effective range of accessible activities and those based on themes, such as festivals, enhancing individual children's learning and development extremely well.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good and the childminder works hard to help children understand why others have different needs to themselves. She is careful to explain why babies do not eat apple slices quickly like older children and uses good questioning techniques to help children think for themselves about the subject, developing early critical thinking. 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 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 1 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 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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