Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361818 Inspection date 28/03/2012 Inspector Sandra Harwood

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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 four children aged 16 years, twins aged 11 years and a five-year-old. The family live in Darwen, Lancashire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family has three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently five children on roll; three of whom are in the early years age range. The hours of work are Monday to Friday from 7.50am to 6pm all year. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. 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

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder offers a good range of play experiences for them to enjoy. She provides a warm and safe environment, where the children are relaxed and their welfare successfully supported. Self-evaluation is developing, and the childminder is committed to continually improving her provision for the children. She works closely with parents and carers to meet children's individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify areas for development.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She is well informed about child protection issues and has the appropriate contact details should she have any concerns. All household members are suitably vetted. Children are kept safe in the childminder's care because she uses appropriate safety equipment, such as stair gates and highchairs. Concise risk assessments are completed, and appropriate action is taken to minimise hazards. Consequently, children move freely and play safely in the childminder's home. The environment is well organised. There is a wide range of age-appropriate resources, with space for babies to practise crawling. Children move freely between rooms, enabling them to choose what they would like to play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with. This helps develop their independence.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very well established. The childminder obtains useful information about each child. This means that parents' wishes and individual welfare needs can be met. Information is shared on a daily basis so that parents are fully informed about their child and the activities they engage in. As a result, they can support their child's learning at home. Effective links with other providers involved with the children are well established and contribute well to supporting children's welfare. The childminder uses feedback from parents and carers, as well as that from the local development worker, to identify her strengths and weaknesses; but does not always use it to identify ways to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a positive role model, who supports children to develop a caring and positive attitude. Children have continuous access to books and resources that reflect positive images of culture, race, disability and gender.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is effectively promoted because they have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder, which helps them feel secure. The childminder actively promotes all aspects of the children's welfare and values each child's individual contribution to the setting. She knows the children very well and offers good levels of support when required.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The children are confident to share their ideas and interests, which the childminder builds on effectively when planning activities. The childminder supports the children in their learning, but also offers opportunities for children to acquire the skills to work things out for themselves, such as putting their shoes on to go outside. Children work exceptionally well independently and with their peers, showing excellent negotiation and co-operation skills. For example, when dressing up, they chose the same outfit, and the children decided who was going to be which character and changed outfits to allow this.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Continuous access to creative materials, jigsaws and games promotes the children's learning and development. The role-play area provides the children with a wide range of resources to develop and expand their imaginative play. For example, when ironing, the children showed their understanding of keeping safe by reminding each other that the iron was hot. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is developing; as they talked about going to the shop, they commented, 'What are we going to buy?' and 'Have we got money?'

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles because the childminder offers a range of healthy snacks. They know to wash their hands at appropriate times because effective routines are well established. The children have regular opportunities to participate in outdoor activities, including visits to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local park as well as using the well-resourced outdoor area. This helps develop good physical skills in running, jumping and climbing.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to develop good habits and behaviour through effective strategies implemented by the childminder. She uses praise, and actively encourages sharing, turn-taking and good manners. Children are learning about their own and others' cultures because they celebrate birthdays and festivals together. 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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