Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421698 Inspection date 02/04/2012 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 in a detached property in Eccleshill, an area of Darwen near Blackburn. Children have access to the front lounge, the dining room, the play room, the kitchen and dining area. There are two toilets and hand washing facilities located on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property for children to access for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to work with one or more assistants. When working alone the childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. When working with one or more assistants, the childminder may provide care for a maximum of 12 children, of whom six may in the early years age range. There are currently eight children on roll, who attend full and part time. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The childminder 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 provides a warm and welcoming environment for all children and their families. Children make suitable progress in their learning as the childminder has a basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has begun to observe the children in her care, however, procedures for assessing children's development towards the early learning goals are not fully effective. Children are generally kept safe in the setting, although not all required records are maintained appropriately. The childminder has some awareness of areas for improvement, but she has not yet developed robust procedures to evaluate and monitor her practice. Partnerships with parents are satisfactory, although they are not fully included in contributing to their child's learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child and develop procedures to gather starting points and increase involvement with parents so that learning is extended within the home  update the complaints procedure to include the correct details for contacting Ofsted  develop the system of self-evaluation to ensure that a programme of continious improvements can be made  improve the risk assessments for outings by clearly stating when it was This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carried out and any action taken  organise all required documents and records so that they are readily available for inspection and can be monitored and reviewed as part of the self- evaluation process.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistants understands their role in safeguarding children and a clear procedure is in place that they would follow if they had concerns about a child. The childminder is working with two assistants who have both been vetted, however, the childminder's conditions of registration have not been varied or updated to allow for all the assistants to work with the childminder. Therefore, the childminder is caring for more children than her certificate of registration allows. Although this is a breach of conditions, the childminder gave a reasonable excuse for doing so, and on this occasion Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

The childminder has appropriate safety equipment which, along with close supervision, ensures that children are kept safe in the housee. Risk assessments for the home are in place, along with daily visual checks of all areas and equipment, to promote children's safety. However, the risk assessment for outings is not fully effective as it does not show when it was carried out and any action taken. The childminder clearly demonstrated how children are kept safe on outings and constant supervision means the impact on children is minimal. Children practise the evacuation procedure on a regular basis, which helps them to develop an understanding of what to do in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a positive attitude towards attending relevant training to develop her practice. She discusses practice with her assistant and has some understanding of identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas for further development. However, evaluation and monitoring are in the early stages of development and are not yet effective. The childminder knows that her paperwork is weak, although has not yet addressed this. For example, the complaint procedure does not include correct contact details, should parents wish to make a complaint. Not all required documents are organised in a way that they are readily available for inspection or can be easily reviewed and monitored as part of the self- evaluation process

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the early years provision

Children's health and welfare are promoted through appropriate implementation of childminding policies, which are shared with parents at the start of any placement. Parents receive written information about the setting, including relevant policies and procedures and are kept up-to-date about their child's care through verbal feedback. The childminder invites parents and children for introductory sessions and gathers relevant information required to meet the children's individual needs, for example, dietary and health requirements. However, the systems to find out about children's starting points, in relation to their learning and development, are not fully robust and parents are not helped to suport their child's learning and development at home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Space is used well and the childminder and her assistants organise the premises so

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the early years provision

that children have the freedom to play as they choose. The childminder offers a range of quality toys and equipment and satisfactorily uses these to interest and involve the children. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding and awareness of equality and diversity. She makes her resources available to all and is careful to equally include children, while being aware of thier individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistants demonstrate a suitable understanding of children's development needs and provide a range of activities and opportunities which contribute to children making satisfactory progress. Children are happy, settled and secure. They have developed good relationships with the childminder and her assistants and benefit from the caring, homely environment in which they enjoy their time. The childminder has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has not developed any effective procedures to observe and assess the children's progress towards the early learning goals. She does, however, know the children well and provides a wide range of activities. Children can independently access a range of age-appropriate toys and resources, these are at child level to enable them to effectively contribute to their own learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy vocalising, as the childminder initiates conversations with them and reinforces younger children's attempts to speak. Younger children understand simple meanings. For example, when the childminder says 'all gone' they are able to mimic this and show her their plate. Children enjoy exploring toys, they develop hand and finger control as they push buttons on programmable toys and enjoy shaking musical instruments. Everyday activities are used to promote children's early counting skills, such as counting the cake case or measuring the ingredients when baking. Opportunities to introduce early counting are also taken when, for example, a child wanted to knock down a tower of tubes. Children sing and dance to well known nursery rhymes, expressing their delight as they all sing and carry out the actions to 'five little ducklings'. Children enjoy craft activities and are proud of their achievements. For example, they made a wiggly worm for their story and

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and outcomes for children

decorated it imaginatively. Children enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and this increases their confidence. They learn how fresh air and exercise is important to their good health and well-being and enjoy playing in the garden and using a range of outdoor equipment to develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistants have an understanding of the importance of providing a healthy diet and this is supported by exciting and fun activities. For example, children make smoothies using different types of fruits and enjoy having them as their snacks. Children learn about making healthy choices and gain good social skills as they talk about the food they are eating with the childminder. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders to pick up their toys so they do not trip. Road safety activities and stranger danger practices enhance their understanding of staying safe. The childminder uses age- appropriate strategies to manage behaviour, such as distractions and explanations. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are learning to share, take turns and be kind during their play. Their good behaviour is actively encouraged and the childminder sets good examples and is a

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and outcomes for children

positive role model. These measures successfully develop children's self-esteem and respect for others. 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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