Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360206 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 September 2007. She lives with her two children in the Rossendale area of Lancashire, close to local amenities and public transport routes. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to the first floor bathroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, three of which may be in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. At present there are seven children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses her vehicle to take and collect children from the local school. She attends a range of local groups with children and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is a motivated practitioner who has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and promotes most aspects of her provision very successfully. However, she has breached a condition of registration which impacts on the overall effectiveness of the provision. The welcoming and vibrant indoor environment results in happy children who settle quickly in her care. Strong, nurturing and individual support enables children to make good progress in all areas of their learning and development and their welfare is positively supported by the highly effective communication with parents and others. The childminder's commitment to developing her provision provides a secure basis for continual improvement, although she has not undertaken limited recent training. She is reflective and uses this to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision with success.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the provision for learning outdoors by offering opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors, across the areas of learning  strengthen the self-evaluation and continuous improvement process by providing time for continuous professional development. 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 has an excellent understanding of procedures for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies. She has attended safeguarding training and implements excellent partnership working to promote children's welfare. Children are cared for in a well-maintained, safe and secure environment. Comprehensive risk assessment records clearly identify potential hazards and relevant action is taken to minimise risks. The childminder ensures children's safety on outings by implementing very effective procedures. She obtains written parental consent, takes first aid equipment and vital information with her, and uses high visibility vests to ensure children's safety. All records required for the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision are in place and very well maintained. These are enhanced by the provision of a very detailed operational plan containing an extensive range of well-

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the early years provision

informed policies and procedures. This provides for a very well organised childminding provision. However, this inspection identified that on one day each week the childminder has breached her conditions of registration by caring for one child more than she is allowed. This hinders the leadership and management arrangements of the provision and thus impacts upon the overall judgement for this inspection. The childminder demonstrated how this had been done unintentionally and she had misunderstood the arrangements around her conditions of registration. As the provider gave a reasonable excuse, on this occasion Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a very welcoming, inclusive environment for all children. Posters in different languages, artwork and children's photographs provide a child- friendly feel and give each child a sense of value and belonging in the childminder's home. The lounge is used as a dedicated playroom and is extremely well equipped to provide a stimulating environment, where all children can freely access resources for play. Right from the start, each individual child's needs and preferences are established with their parents through a very well planned admission process. The recent addition of 'all about me' booklets supports the obtaining of this information so that the transition process between home and the setting is smooth. The childminder's relationship with parents is very secure and founded upon excellent communication. She uses what she knows to help guide parents practice in order to improve outcomes for their children. For example, she

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the early years provision

provides leaflets and reward charts to support a consistent approach to toilet training. Parents responses to the childminder's service questionnaires demonstrate how very highly their value her service and comment about 'her exceptional work and care'.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment to provide the best service she can results in some very well organised provision and some outstanding outcomes for children. Since the last inspection she has transformed her home to become a rich enabling environment for children and she has added a wealth of good quality resources which promote positive images of diversity. She evaluates mostly effectively and knows, for example, that the strengths of her provision lie in the loving, fun-filled care provided. She knows her provision for children's learning is strong and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 already planned improvements to the outside area, which is used routinely but lacks some opportunities for children to explore and investigate. She also accurately identifies that to secure further improvement to the provision she would benefit from further training to extend her knowledge and expertise.

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and outcomes for children

Clear and routine planning ensures the children receive a wide range of experiences and opportunities for play. Activities are well matched to children's stages of development and individual interests because the childminder knows them very well and makes the most of the activity sessions and places to visit in her local community. She observes children closely and documents significant moments with regards to their development. These are then are linked tightly with the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance and this ensures she has a clear awareness of the next natural steps for individual progression. In addition, the childminder has started to track every child's achievements across all areas of learning so she can monitor their progress and identify gaps, although as yet, these are not able to be used to evidence the rate at which progress has been made from children's starting points.

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and outcomes for children

The welcoming, play focussed organisation of the childminder's home successfully promotes active learning and consequently, children develop the skills they need for the future. They freely access a wide range of good quality play materials and are able to follow through their own ideas, thus becoming independent thinkers and learners. Children under two-years know where to find toys of their choice. For example, they access the tea-set independently, taking it through to the kitchen and use additional equipment, such as the toy washing machine, to extend their role play. The childminder adapts and extends equipment based on children's current stages of development and the things which interest them. For example, to extend the sand play in the garden, the childminder adds diggers and buries dinosaurs, which sustain children's interest for a longer period. Additionally in response to children's squeals of excitement chasing the gigantic bubbles, the

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and outcomes for children

childminder introduces numbers to count the bubbles and words associated with size. The childminder uses her garden regularly as an extension to her limited indoor space, although as yet the outdoor experiences are limited in promoting some areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children and she speaks, signs and sings with them continually, and as a result, even very young children use sign to communicate 'thank you'. They vocalise continually and because the childminder knows them so well, she skilfully identifies individual words and 'tunes' of phrases young children are attempting to use, which enables her to respond appropriately. Children's self-esteem is very strong as their relationships with their childminder are highly positive. They frequently laugh and have fun together. Children know when they have done well as they are consistently rewarded with positive praise. Older children have their own reward charts and they strive to achieve a marble, which is added to a jar and when filled means a treat for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 everyone. Consequently, children motivate each other to achieve and work as a

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and outcomes for children

team. The positive ethos of the setting results in children who are positive with each other and show care and concern. The extremely warm, nurturing care they receive means that emotionally, every child feels loved and valued. Even the children new to the setting display a strong sense of belonging from an early stage. Children feel safe to move around freely in the childminder's home and they take part in activities which help them learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they learn about road safety during walks in the community when they routinely wear their high visibility vests and through the use of books and resources, such as 'teddy takes a tumble'. They learn about being healthy through well established routines, which promote healthy lifestyles. Children are very well nourished as the childminder provides home cooked meals using fresh and sometimes organic ingredients. As a result, they relish their snacks of strawberries,

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and outcomes for children

grapes and breadsticks and enjoy their bottled water. Children know where food comes from and have also take part in planting and growing potatoes. At an early stage, children rub their hands together using hand-gel to clean them before lunch. Older children access the first floor bathroom and use the automatic soap dispenser and disposable towel to prevent cross infection. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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