Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343845 Inspection date 07/03/2012 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged fifteen and eight in Accrington, Lancashire. The playroom and sitting room on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities on the first floor. Local parks are used for outdoor play, as this is not available on the premises. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local pre- schools. The family has a dog, which does not access the house during childminding hours.

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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 are currently five children attending on a part-time basis, who are all within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is qualified as a nursery nurse. She is a member of the local childminding network and 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 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 most aspects of diversity and equality are promoted. There are very close partnerships with parents and they are consulted and well informed of their children's daily care, routine and learning. Good knowledge of how to form effective links with other settings enhances continuity in children's education and care, when required. 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 more opportunities for children to learn about their own and other people's cultures in order to understand and celebrate the similarities and differences between them in a diverse society. 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 range of courses to inform her practice, including the use of empathy dolls to enhance children's emotional welfare. 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, 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 to farms and the zoo to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice regularly, although some areas of practice receive less evaluation than others, whilst others such as use of the environment receive more, giving rise to imbalance in evaluation. She is a qualified nursery nurse and belongs to the local childminding network to demonstrate her commitment to maintaining good standards of childcare.

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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 and written information about children's care, routine and achievements, and children's development records are sent home several times a year. Parents are enthusiastic in their praise of the childminder and provide constructive suggestions to enhance the provision through questionnaires, such as having short 'parents' evening' meetings. The childminder also seeks children's views in order to enhance her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of forming effective links with other settings and has well-organised systems in place to support this. She maintains links with local pre-schools so that she can better support children in her care when they start to attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore their environment confidently, selecting from the accessible toys and resources. They talk freely to everyone present, showing that they are settled and feel secure. Good practical measures are taken to ensure children's safety, such as keeping external doors locked and using gates to restrict access to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 kitchen and stairs. Children have regular opportunities to practice the evacuation procedure so that they are familiar with it. The childminder uses good behaviour management techniques to help manage incidents that occur while children are learning appropriate social skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides many opportunities for exercise, by using local parks, play centres and going for walks. She maintains good hygiene when serving food or changing nappies and children are proud to show that they have washed their hands before snack times. Children enjoy healthy foods such as fruit and yoghurt as part of a balanced diet and healthy menus are displayed so parents can see what children will be eating each day.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals, as shown in the well-organised records of children's achievements. Planning is detailed for individual children's needs and interests and regular, frequent observations are recorded which inform the childminder's planning. Good use is made of photographs to remind children of what they have done and to inform parents about their child's day. Individual needs are well met and activities are inclusive so that all children benefit from taking part, with adaptation if needed, such as when painting or gluing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans an effective range of accessible activities on a daily basis, along with ones based on themes, such as 'Spring' and 'Ourselves'. This provides comprehensive opportunities, along with relevant outings, for children to enjoy their learning in all six areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children especially enjoy learning about shapes and colours using play dough, whilst developing physical skills by shaping it with simple tools. The childminder encourages children to make models of flowers as part of the 'Spring' theme and helps them to learn the parts of a plant. Creative and communication skills are developed by helping children to play co-operatively in the kitchen role play area, and this also helps them to learn how to share space and toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is mostly good and the childminder works hard to help children understand how some behaviours can affect others and themselves adversely. She provides plenty of reassurance for children who are upset and maintains strong boundaries for behaviour to help children learn what is acceptable. As a result, calm is rapidly restored, to provide an environment in which children can learn and develop. Artwork made by children, and many photographs of them, are prominently displayed in the playroom to give a strong sense of belonging in the setting. Some festivals from different cultures are celebrated across the year, although this is not consistent and consequently, children do not fully access knowledge and understanding of the diversity of cultures in wider society and the local community. 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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