Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437498 Inspection date 10/05/2012 Inspector Karen McWilliam

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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 adult child in the Aston area of Preston. She co-childminds with another registered childminder from the same property. The whole of the ground floor, first floor bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed area for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years range and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. When working with another childminder at the above premises, she may care for no more than eight children under eight years, of whom, no more than six may be in the early years age range and of whom, two may be under one year old. Children attend on a full-time and part-time basis. She also offers care to children over five to 11 years. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

She holds a relevant early years qualification and 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

The commitment and enthusiasm of the childminder supports the children as they progress well towards the early learning goals. Overall, she successfully promotes children's welfare to a good standard and they are protected due to the childminder's secure knowledge of safeguarding. Partnerships with her co- childminder, the parents and others are good and enrich the quality of care the children receive. The childminder strives to improve her practice and service through self-evaluation. This works well in practice because areas for improvement are identified, which further enhance the good standards of this childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 24/05/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the range of play resources to support children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes to diversity.

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the early years provision

The children are safeguarded from harm and neglect because the childminder ensures children's safety is paramount. She has undertaken training regarding child protection and is clear of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. Written safeguarding policies are in place and shared with the parents from the onset. Comprehensive risk assessments ensure that outings and all areas of the house and garden are safe for children. However, the childminder does not consistently obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine administered. This omission is a breach of the welfare requirements. The impact to children is minimal because she does maintain a record of all medications administered. She ensures that parents sign to state they have been informed and has only administered medication that has been prescribed by a doctor, without prior permission.

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the early years provision

There are good systems in place to evaluate and monitor the setting. The childminder updates her self-evaluation form to secure improvements, which have a positive impact on the quality of care the children receive. For example, furniture is moved after lunch, so that babies have freedom to fully explore spaces safely. Therefore, they develop good physical skills. The childminder and her co- childminder regularly discuss the children's progress and plan activities and next steps that meet the needs of them. The setting ensures that the views of parents and children are included in the evaluation process by regular discussion. For example, at the parents' request, the childminder colour codes the planning forms, so they can clearly see the progress their children are making.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good partnerships with professionals. For example, she follows advice from doctors to ensure that children's medical needs are met. She has also established effective links with other childminders, which enhances the children's experiences. They form friendships with the other minded children and partake in a wide variety of shared activities at the local playgroup. All parents are given a leaflet upon entry, which contains a range of information regarding the setting, including policies. Parents also have constant access to children's learning journals, which they take home to share with other family members and the daily diaries, which record meals, activities, sleep times and other information. All of which ensures that they actively contribute to their children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good range of age-appropriate, well-maintained and suitable resources to support all areas of learning. These contribute to the good progress children make. The effective use of low-level storage ensures that children can independently select activities. Also the organisation of the setting ensures that children are free to play inside or outdoors. The childminder has also made a pictorial list of all her resources, which ensures that all children can choose This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 what they would like to play with. This further enhances the inclusive environment. The setting makes good use of the local environment, as a result, children make strong links with their community. For example, the children regularly visit the library for rhyme time.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and confident. High levels of continuous verbal interaction and emotional support ensure that children thrive in the childminder's care. Children demonstrate that they feel safe by holding out their hands for a reassuring cuddle when they are upset. Regular reminders from the childminder further contribute to children keeping safe. For example, she reminds children how to hold scissors correctly. Children are secure in the childminder's routines and independently change from their Wellington boots to shoes, when returning indoors from playing outside, without adults prompting. As a result, children develop good self-help skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Therefore, children's learning is supported well. They show a high level of curiosity as they play in the 'gloop' and discuss the patterns that they are making with a range of tools. The childminder extends this activity further by suggesting other objects that make patterns, such as toy cars. Children also experience other materials to stimulate their senses. For example, children play with wool, ribbons and shaving foam. These activities introduce children to a rich vocabulary of words and promote questioning skills and shared thinking. Regular visits to the farm or other local places of interest are effective in securing children's developing knowledge of the world around them. There are some multi-cultural resources and children celebrate a range of festivals, which support them to develop and value diversity within the wider world. Mark-making activities are continuously available,

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and outcomes for children

both indoors and outside. As a result, children are developing their early writing and drawing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a range of activities to promote good problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. The childminder utilises every opportunity to encourage children to use mathematical language in play. For example, they discuss size as she asks the children whether it is the small, medium or large truck that is missing while playing a game. There is also a range of resources to further support their development, such as, board games, jigsaw puzzles and number box. A computer is always available for the children, which they can access independently. There is a suitable range of electronic and cause and effect toys. All of which ensures that children develop good skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is effectively supported within the setting. The childminder ensures that good nappy changing routines are in place. Secure sickness and exclusion policies also contribute to the prevention of cross-infections. The childminder offers children healthy choices of fruit and well-balanced meals and water is always available. Children readily wash their hands before snack because This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate hand washing routines are well established. They are able to get out in the fresh air daily and benefit from the well-planned space. This includes, digging areas, role play equipment and balls. Trips to the park also enhance their experiences. Consequently, children develop good physical skills in walking, running, jumping and climbing because they make use of a variety of resources to test and challenge their skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved in the setting. This is because the childminder is a good role model. She offers them lots of praise and encouragement. Children's independence is fostered to ensure that they make a positive contribution to the setting. 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 (Records to be kept). 24/05/2012

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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 (Records to be kept). 24/05/2012

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