Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 309029 Inspection date 14/03/2012 Inspector Sandra Williams

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and child aged 15 years in Slyne, Lancashire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, apart from the master bedroom and the office on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives close to local schools, toddler groups, shops and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. She 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 has a good knowledge of children's individual needs and interests. They enjoy a wide range of activities and are making good progress in their learning and development. Observations of their progress are undertaken and the tracking process is generally well recorded. Children are kept very safe and secure due to the good safeguarding procedures that thoroughly cover all of the requirements. Partnerships with parents and other providers of Early Years Foundation Stage are strong. The childminder has identified her strengths and areas for further development and continuous improvement by self-evaluating her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon the information gathered from observing and assessing children's development, and systematically track their progress in all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She demonstrates a high level of commitment to keeping children safe at all times. She is trained in first aid so that she can appropriately respond to children's needs in the case of an accident or emergency. Children's safety is enhanced because the childminder keeps the premises locked while children are present. She also conducts risk assessments to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure children's safety in the house and garden and on each type of outing. All of the required documentation is well organised and includes written policies containing useful information for parents. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well by providing an inclusive childcare service where all children are welcome and treated with respect. She provides a very good selection of toys,

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the early years provision

both inside and outside. She rotates them and ensures that the children can easily reach them and make independent choices in their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder's friendly and approachable manner helps parents to feel at ease and able to discuss their children's routines and individual requirements in a relaxed way. Cards and letters from parents indicate their extreme satisfaction with the childcare provided. The childminder has effective systems in place to ensure a daily two-way flow of information with parents through discussions and looking at their children's files. In this way, parents are kept well informed about what the children are achieving and how they have spent their day. Links with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children are also well developed as the childminder liaises closely with the staff at the local school in order to provide a consistent approach to the children's learning. The childminder self-evaluates her practice and has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for further development. She has conscientiously addressed the

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the early years provision

recommendations from the previous inspection and has fully embraced the advice obtained from early years advisers. This has resulted in her successful professional development and continuous improvements.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is extremely welcoming, friendly and nurturing, and provides a homely environment where children enjoy learning through play. Children learn about staying safe when on outings as they practice crossing the roads safely and discuss stranger danger. They learn about fire safety by undertaking emergency evacuation drills with the childminder. Children are learning about adopting healthy lifestyles through eating nutritious snacks, such as fruit, and having regular drinks. The childminder encourages regular opportunities for the children to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they go for walks to the beach and the canal to feed the ducks. They develop their coordination and physical strength as they play on the good selection of toys in the garden, such as ride-on toys and the trampoline. Children develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they enjoy catching and throwing balloons. They learn about good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands at

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and outcomes for children

appropriate times throughout the day. Children are very well behaved and are learning good manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times. They are learning to be kind to each other, share the toys and play cooperatively.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of the children's individual stages of development and she records observations of their achievements in the form of photos and written evidence. She uses this information to plan for the children's individual next steps in their development. She has begun to track their progress; however, this is in its early stages and not yet fully developed. Children thoroughly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy a wide range of exciting activities at this setting. They develop their skills in literacy by choosing from a good selection of age-appropriate books. They love to cuddle up to the childminder on the sofa to read their chosen books and look at the pictures. They enjoy mark-making activities using various items such as pens, crayons and chalks. Children are learning about numeracy as the childminder encourages them to count objects in the books. They learn about shapes as they

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and outcomes for children

play with shape sorters and jigsaw puzzles.

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and outcomes for children

Children's opportunities to learn about information and communication technology are good due to the resources available to them. For example, they have access to programmable toys, such as push button toys, and they also use a digital camera to take photos of each other. The children have wonderful opportunities to learn about nature and living things. They enjoy planting sunflower seeds, watering them and watching them grow. They study insects in the garden and learn about how bees make honey from pollen. They collect pebbles and leaves to use in craft activities. They have opportunities to learn about diversity and differences as the childminder talks to them about this and they play with resources that promote positive images, such as books and dolls. Overall, children benefit greatly from spending time in this homely and caring environment. 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 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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