Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432892 Inspection date 27/04/2012 Inspector Jeanette Brookfield

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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 husband and their children aged 13 and 15 in the Scotforth area of Lancaster, close to local shops, parks and schools. The children have access to a lounge/dining area. There is a toilet and hand washing facility also located on the ground floor and an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Registration is for a total of six children aged under eight years, of which no more than three can be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder cares for children weekdays from 8am to 5.30pm all year round. She is a qualified nursery nurse and is presently undergoing assessment to become a member of the local childminding network.

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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

A good knowledge of each child's individual needs makes sure that the childminder successfully promotes their welfare and learning. Overall, partnerships with parents and other settings are very effective in supporting children's needs and keeping them safe. As a result, children progress well in their learning and development. The childminder strives for excellence and makes use of regular self-evaluation and on-going professional development to identify improvements.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure all hazards indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum, in this instance the front door must be locked at all times (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 04/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to enable parents to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of the indicators of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child. The home is safe and well maintained and children's safety is carefully provided for, with risk assessments are comprehensive and detail most risks which children may come into contact with. However, during the inspection the front door was not locked which presents a risk to children. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion about road safety, practising the fire evacuation procedure and correctly using equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives for excellence in all she does and regularly monitors her provision. She has identified areas for improvement and has begun to evaluate the effectiveness of the care she provides. Children and parents are all involved in the process through discussion and letters and their suggestions are catered for where necessary.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from a warm, bright and homely environment. Toys and resources are easily accessible on low-level storage, some of which are attractively labelled. A good range of resources are available that promote positive images of diversity, such as, books and small world items. The childminder provides a variety of activities and explanations to help the children develop respect for others in their community and the wider world.

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the early years provision

Parents enjoy strong relationships with the childminder. They are kept fully updated about their children and are encouraged to share what they know by completing 'All about Me' booklets and commenting in daily diaries. The childminder has effective systems in place for communicating with parents. She has produced a range of written policies and shares well presented 'Learning Journeys' with them. However, they are not encouraged to add their comments and observations regarding their children's progress at present. She develops good links with providers of other settings children also attend, such as, the local pre- school, which ensures an effective, shared approach to their care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the stimulating and interesting play areas, both inside and outside. They settle well in the childminder's home and clearly feel very safe and secure in her care. They move freely among the activities, accessing resources independently, such as, construction toys, mark making, play dough and puzzles. Outside they access water and sensory play, ride on bikes and see-saws and grow their own vegetables. The childminder talks to them continually about where they are going and extends their understanding and learning through effective questioning. They make marks using a good range of tools and implements and enjoy making shapes and patterns in the play dough. This develops their control This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and forms the basis for writing. The childminder shows them how to use the rolling pins and cutters, discussing how they need to roll the dough between their palms

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and outcomes for children

to make a ball shape. She encourages them to learn about size and number as they make body parts for the caterpillar and count as they put the pieces together. Children enjoy books and are beginning to learn that print carries meaning as they follow a story together. They have a range of different puzzles and shape sorters to develop problem-solving skills and use a range of construction equipment to build with. Children learn about the diverse nature of society through reading stories and interacting with the good selection of resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children very well in developing good skills for the future. For example, they learn to tidy away the toys after use to prevent trips and falls and to work together cooperatively as they play with a construction set together. The children are beginning to recognise their own name and that of others as they self-register on entering the home and help to find each other's photograph. The childminder supports the children very effectively in learning to behave well and, as a result, they understand what is expected of them. For example, they display good manners as they ask and receive snacks, meals and drinks. Children show respect for one another as their social skills develop which enhances their positive disposition to learning. For example, they know to wait their turn and to speak quietly when younger children are sleeping. The children demonstrate high levels of self-esteem, readily sharing their achievements with the

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and outcomes for children

childminder and knowing that she will acknowledge these with lots of praise.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy many opportunities to engage in physical activities and to benefit from fresh air. For example, they regularly play in the garden and visit local parks to use the large play equipment. The children take pleasure in recalling visits to the nearby farm, describing how they fed and stroked the animals or discuss a recently celebrated birthday party. The children are offered healthy meals and snacks, confidently choosing what fruit they would like to eat and are provided with water to drink throughout the day. They know that washing their hands after personal care helps to stop germs. The childminder is very effective in helping the children to keep themselves safe. For example, she reminds them to climb on and off the chairs sensibly, teaches them about road safety and also how to use knives and cutters responsibly. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 04/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 04/05/2012

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