Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434432 Inspection date 11/04/2012 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 2011. She lives with her partner in the Ashton area of Preston, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor, as well as a first floor bedroom and bathroom, are used for childminding purposes. The rear yard is not currently registered for childminding use.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in total, three of whom are within the early years age group. She regularly attends various groups with younger children and is a member of the Preston Childminding Network.

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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

Children are settled, content and make suitable progress through their secure relationships with the childminder. They get the support they need because there are steadily developing systems to identify and plan for their individual care and some aspects of their development. However, activity planning is not always responsive to individual learning priorities. Effective implementation of record keeping systems, along with suitable policies and procedures, helps ensure most aspects of children's welfare are met and that parents are appropriately informed about the provision. The childminder is in the early stages of establishing her childminding service and is motivated to further develop her basic resources. Self- evaluation is emerging, and she has started to identify some of the most relevant areas for future development; demonstrating a sound capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a systematic approach to using observation to identify learning priorities and plan activities to support and extend specific areas of each child's individual learning  strengthen the use of self-evaluation, monitoring and quality improvement processes as a basis of on-going internal review and continue to build the range of resources that will further improve the quality of provision for children  increase awareness of responsibilities under food hygiene legislation, including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department. 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 a clear understanding of child protection issues as a result of training. She demonstrates her understanding of her written safeguarding procedures, which include steps to take in the event of an allegation being made against an adult living or working at the premises. She is vigilant with regard to visitors to her home, which is kept very secure. Her home is very clean and suitably maintained, and she uses an appropriate range of safety equipment to prevent accidents. Risk assessment procedures and associated records are comprehensive. The childminder plans placements appropriately to ensure required ratios are met and associated documentation is clearly maintained. She adopts clear procedures to manage children's health. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate and has appropriate plans in place for handling emergencies. She uses her prior working knowledge to implement good food hygiene practice and

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the early years provision

has recently begun to keep records of food provision. However, she has overlooked the need to register as a food provider.

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the early years provision

The childminder is respectful of individual family backgrounds. Every child is welcomed into the provision. Children see their individual photographs displayed and have access to a small range of resources that reflect difference and diversity. Relationships with parents and carers are developing steadily. Suitable transition arrangements, such as the use of 'all about me' questionnaires, help the childminder find out about children's needs and interests, so that she can help children settle quickly. Consequently, they soon develop a clear sense of confidence and security within the setting. Daily communication ensures children's care needs are met and parents are well informed of how the setting operates. Parents can see children's learning journey records at any time. The childminder uses her partnerships with other childminders to provide some consistency in shared care and uses her partnerships with them, and other professionals, to

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to further develop her childminding provision. She uses her links with the childminding network and its co-ordinator to monitor and extend her provision for children. For example, she meets with other childminders regularly to make use of their established provision. Her links with the network have also provided her with increased training opportunities which have improved, for example, her understanding of how to provide rich learning experiences for boys. The childminder is beginning to think about self-evaluation. However, this is not yet fully developed. She recognises her strengths as being the fun-filled experiences and the range of outings she offers to children. She also reflects on the good practice she sees elsewhere to make some meaningful and relevant plans to improve. The childminder has asked some parents and carers for their feedback, and received positive comments about her good communication.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound and developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Space within the home is suitably deployed to meet children's care and learning needs. The use of posters and photographs provides a welcoming environment. Access to a basic range of toys and equipment keeps children suitably occupied and helps them learn through some of their play. However, provision in some areas of learning is limited. Children make some choices and develop a sense of responsibility when they are encouraged to put toys back in the relevant trays when they have finished playing with them. Children use the lounge or a first floor bedroom for quiet times, which enables them to relax and to sleep undisturbed, and they are supported when accessing the first floor toilet facilities. The childminder does not currently use her rear yard for outside play although, has appropriately identified this as an area for

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and outcomes for children

improvement. She does, however, make the most of community venues, such as parks, nature areas, leisure and soft play centres, to provide effectively for children's physical development.

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and outcomes for children

In practice, the childminder delivers activities in a way that is relevant to each child's stage of development. This is because she knows each child well and notices what they can do and what they are interested in. She records her observations and matches what she sees to an area of learning, and this helps her to assess children's achievements and monitor their progress. She then uses what she knows about children to help them reach some of their next steps as she plays and interacts with them. The childminder plans interesting weekly activities which extend children's experiences. However, she currently relies mainly on her instincts to promote children's individual development, and has not yet developed full knowledge of how to use observations effectively to systematically plan and support children's next stages of development. As a result, the childminder misses some opportunities to ensure children make as much progress as they can in all

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and outcomes for children

Children progress because they feel safe in the childminder's care and they have a clear sense of belonging in her home. Secure relationships facilitate the development of communication. Conversation is constant and, as a result, children are becoming confident communicators. They enjoy trips to the library and show a keen interest in books and stories. Relationships with other children are encouraged. They show care and concern for younger children, who thrive on the interaction of older members of the group. Children are keen to explore and investigate due to the range of experiences the childminder provides for them. For example, in response to a child's interest in mini-beasts, the childminder provided a tray of toy inspects, pine cones and other objects for children to explore. Children developed their finger and manipulative skills during this activity; using play tweezers to pick up individual items and matching them to a corresponding

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and outcomes for children

Secure routines enhance opportunities for children to develop healthy lifestyles. The childminder promotes healthy eating and has successfully encouraged children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to eat and enjoy a variety of different fruits. Prompted by pictorial reminders around the home, children wash their hands regularly and dry them using disposable paper towels, to help prevent the spread of infection. Children learn about how to stay safe when they take part in emergency evacuation drills and they are gently encouraged to learn how to behave in safe ways. The childminders gentle, nurturing support promotes positive behaviours and the use of good manners. 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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