Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301520 Inspection date 20/03/2012 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and adult child in the Livesey area of Blackburn. The whole ground floor of the property, with the exception of the lounge, 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 dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend 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. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Although the childminder undertakes observations and assessments of the children, these are not linked to planning. The provision of a safe and welcoming environment enables children to be active learners. Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory, with generally meaningful information being shared. All policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the setting are in place. The childminder is broadly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the setting; however, the system for evaluating the provision is in its infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the resources which represent diversity and ensure these are readily accessible to the children  develop further the systems in place for the observation and assessment of children, and use them to inform future planning  develop further the procedures and systems for the evaluation of the practice in order to monitor development and continue to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The arrangements for safeguarding are satisfactory as the childminder has a suitable understanding of the action to take should she have any child protection This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns. She has the required policies to maintain the safe and efficient management of the provision; for example, risk assessments and a safeguarding procedure are readily available to keep children safe. Risk assessments are undertaken for all areas of the home that children play in and come into contact with, in order to maintain a secure environment. Through the provision of a dedicated playroom, children can move freely and choose from the resources as these are readily accessible to them. An inclusive service is provided as all children have an equal opportunity to take part in the activities provided and to use the resources available to them. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of

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the early years provision

the Early Years Foundation Stage. She undertakes observations of the children and this allows her to assess their progress and determine what they are interested in and what they can do. Although this information is used to identify the learning priority, it is not sufficiently linked to the planning to ensure these areas are addressed, in order to challenge and support children's overall learning and development. Planning is linked to the areas of continuous provision and covers all six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has daily discussions with parents, ensuring they are aware of the activities undertaken with their children. They complete an 'all about me' book with the childminder to identify their child's developmental starting points. They are asked to contribute to their child's learning journey and can view this at any time. The childminder is aware of the need to share relevant information with other settings the children attend, and this is done with the parents taking an active part in ensuring information is shared. The childminder is aware of the need to reflect on her practice and is broadly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. She has addressed all areas for improvement from her last inspection and has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, her self- evaluation system is not yet secure enough to ensure the changes and improvements discussed are consolidated and approached systematically to further

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage means children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals given their age, capability and starting points. The childminder establishes children's starting points through the completion of the personal details with parents. She undertakes regular observations on them and shares this information with parents. The planning system is in place to provide children with a balance of both adult-led and child-led activities across all of the areas of learning and development. Children are happy and secure with the childminder; they settle well and seek her support throughout their play, indicating that they feel safe. The childminder is very kind and caring with the children, engaging them in lots of discussion and chatter as they play together, developing their language skills. She sits with them at their level as she engages them in their play, for example, building the tower

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and outcomes for children

Children show an interest in mathematics as they readily count to 10. They use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mathematical language as they describe the tower as being bigger than and taller than. Children practise their body movement and their listening skills as they enjoy listening to the action tape, wiggling, clapping and stamping as they identify which part of their body to move and develop their coordination. They visit the park to play on the large equipment and attend the an exercise class as they develop their physical skills. They are very well behaved and listen to the childminder, responding positively to instructions as she reminds them to be careful and discusses the consequences of their behaviour. The childminder regularly praises the children, contributing to their feeling of confidence and self-esteem. She has a selection of resources which reflect diversity; for example, books, wheelchairs and

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and outcomes for children

cultural items. However, these are not freely accessible to the children for them to use on a daily basis during their play. They learn about technology as they explore how to switch things on and off and use the toy computer. They show an interest in books as they develop their literacy and communication skills and take part in creative activities, with examples of their work being kept in their learning journey record, showing the progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder includes the children in developing their understanding of satisfactory hygiene practises through discussion and demonstrating appropriate practices; for example, washing hands and the provision of individual hand towels to prevent cross-infection. Children are provided with healthy options for snack time and enjoy their crumpets, breadsticks and fresh fruit. Meals are home-made using fresh produce and include fruit and vegetables. Children access their water cups, ensuring they remain hydrated. Overall, children play and learn in a calm and secure environment conducive to their learning and development. 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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