Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362734 Inspection date 09/03/2012 Inspector Linda Shore

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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 and had been previously registered between 1998 and 2001. She lives with her husband in Chorley, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She receives support from the local authority.

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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's safety is of high importance and they are generally safeguarded very effectively. They learn well to adopt healthy lifestyles through a healthy diet and regular outdoor play. Children are making good progress as the childminder has a solid understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Self-evaluation is effective and the setting has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Partnerships with other professionals are developing. Partnerships with parents are well established and have a positive impact on outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of observational assessment to inform planning for each child's continuing development  ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with other professionals where children receive education and care in more than one setting.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well and protected in the setting. Comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the home ensure risks are effectively minimised and children play and learn in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the possible signs of abuse and knows the correct reporting procedures to follow if there are any concerns about a child. The childminder is very well-organised and record keeping is meticulous. She and her husband have been vetted and are suitable to work with children. All required policies and procedures are in place and support the safe and efficient running of the setting. The childminder is making good progress with well-targeted improvements identified through effective methods of self-evaluation. She is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 committed to developing her skills and knowledge through regular training and

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the early years provision

Resources are deployed well across five rooms of the home providing children with an environment in which they have choice and independence in the activities they select. They particularly enjoy baking and decorating cakes to share with their family. The outdoor environment provides children with a broad range of play and learning opportunities in all weather. For example, ride-on toys, a playhouse and climbing equipment to support physical development.

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the early years provision

Parents have well placed confidence in the childminder to address the individual needs of their children. Comprehensive information is provided for them when starting at the setting. Partnerships with parents are effective with many opportunities to be involved in their children's learning and development through the 'observation book' which invites parental input, regular discussions and a development report twice yearly. Parents are kept well informed of children's activities and routines through a daily text message and photos emailed weekly. However, information is not fully shared where children attend more than one setting to ensure continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the children's individual needs and provides a stimulating environment where children are excited and motivated to learn. Observations of children help to find out what children can do and these are used to plan for children's next steps in their development. However, these do not fully identify all priorities and gaps in their learning. Children freely move around in the spacious environment selecting activities which interest them. They develop their imagination well, with a wide range of creative opportunities. They particularly enjoy sticking and small world play. Young children develop a sense of self and make secure relationships as they spontaneously cuddle the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Older children learn to make a positive contribution to the setting as they take responsibility for displays of their own artwork. Communication is fostered well by the childminder as she talks to children clearly and at their level. Open-ended questions stimulate discussion with even the youngest children as they are allowed time to think and respond. Children enjoy a wide range of books and older children learn to recognise letters and words, displayed at their height. They have lots of opportunities to learn about the wider world and cultural differences through artwork and celebration. Children's physical development is well-promoted with a good range of resources to support activity both indoors and out. They develop problem solving skills as they count during daily activities. For example, children count the number of cakes before icing them, well supported by the childminder as she encourages one-to-one correspondence.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many good opportunities to learn about being healthy. They enjoy a well-balanced diet which is cooked on the premises with individual food This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 preferences well known and supported. The childminder is an excellent role model of the importance of personal hygiene ensuring the risk of infection is minimised during nappy changes, after toileting and before eating. Children have regular access to fresh air through outdoor play and walks to the park to examine mini- beasts and collect natural resources. The outdoor area is well resourced. Children are learning about the world through planting and tending a garden and the area is currently being developed further to provide dedicated raised garden beds for children to dig and plant.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and involved and feel safe due to well-nurtured relationships. They settle very well, confidently approaching the childminder for reassurance or a hug. Children are very familiar and comfortable in the environment, moving freely and confidently between activities and know their environment very well. They learn boundaries and good behaviour through effective behaviour management. Children are taught respect for themselves and each other through learning about the world and other cultures and as a result are developing their self-esteem. 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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