Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY430057 Inspection date 13/07/2012 Inspector Jennifer Kennaugh

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and one child aged one year in an end of terrace house in Walton-le-Dale, Preston. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities situated on this level. There is an enclosed yard to the rear of the premises available for outdoor play and the premises are within walking distance of local parks.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the Early Years age range. There is currently one child attending on a part-time basis who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care, and making steady progress in their individual learning and development, although systems for recording this lack detail. The childminder has a sound understanding and knowledge of partnerships with parents, who are consulted and kept informed of their children's daily care, routine and learning. The childminder has an awareness of the need to provide continuity of children's care and learning with other agencies when necessary. She is in the very early stages of self-evaluation to support continuous improvement of the provision, and some statutory documentation required to demonstrate effective care of children is not present.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 must carry public liability insurance for the provision (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/07/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop the systems for frequent observation and assessment of children's progress to inform planning for children's continuing learning  develop self-evaluation in order to continuously improve the provision for children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are sufficiently protected as the childminder is appropriately trained, and has a satisfactory knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. Adults on the premises are suitably vetted to protect children. Risk assessments for the premises and specific outings are made to minimise hazards and keep children safe. Most statutory requirements with regard to documentation are met and the setting is managed safely so children can learn and develop. However, the childminder cannot provide evidence that public liability insurance is held for the provision and this is a breach of statutory requirements.

p.5

the early years provision

Resources are age appropriate and are used to support active learning. Toys are accessible, enabling children to select from them, promoting independence of choice. There is a satisfactory range of resources available to support progress across the six areas of learning. The childminder makes use of local amenities by visiting soft play centres and going to parks. She has completed training about the Early Years Foundation Stage and has an adequate knowledge of providing resources and activities to support young children in their learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to identify areas that she would like to develop, including the environment and resources, in order to improve outcomes for children. She demonstrates an awareness of how self-evaluation leads to continuous improvement in practice, but the process is in a very early stage.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of partnership working with parents and keeping them informed about children's care and routines on a daily basis. Parents are warm in their praise of her care and the activities she provides. The childminder has begun to use parents' views in order to inform her practice and improve outcomes for children. She has a generally sound understanding of the importance of working with other professionals to provide continuity of care and learning for children. Appropriate policies support equality and diversity, and the childminder seeks suitable information when children join the setting to provide for individual needs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe as they are confident to explore the environment and its resources fully. They seek reassurance from the childminder when parents leave, showing attachment to her. The childminder teaches them how to stay safe by emphasising road safety on outings. She uses suitable practical measures, such as fire alarms and checking that doors are locked, to keep children safe. Records are kept to show that the fire evacuation procedure is practised, so children are familiar with it. Children handle simple implements safely when making biscuits, and the childminder emphasises words that describe the changes to the ingredients as they mix them, extending their vocabulary. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering daily opportunities for exercise and providing healthy snacks and meals. Drinks of water or very dilute

p.5

and outcomes for children

juice are frequently available. Children enjoy snacks, such as home-made biscuits and strawberries, to support their understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet. Meals are provided which take account of individual children's preferences, along with the need to try new foods. The childminder teaches children about personal hygiene routines, such as hand washing at appropriate times. This promotes independence and helps prevent the spread of infection.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides developmentally appropriate activities for children, such as baking, drawing and using a range of simple musical instruments. She uses playgrounds and soft play centres to provide opportunities for children to meet others and extend their social and physical development. She makes regular observations of children's progress, although these are not consistently across all six areas of learning, and records plans for their next steps. Records of children's learning do not contain links between chronological age and whether the child is showing age- appropriate progress, so this information is not immediately available for planning. However, children make steady progress toward the early learning goals and the activities provided contribute to this.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have independent access to cause and effect toys to develop early information communication technology skills. They delight in making sounds using a keyboard, developing an awareness of their ability to create music. A range of age-appropriate books are accessible to encourage children's later enjoyment of reading. The childminder allows children to lead their own role play about everyday experiences, such as pretending to go to bed using the child-size sofa and blankets. This promotes their ability to describe what they are doing and also to problem solve as they decide how best to set up the resources they choose.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides opportunities for children to celebrate festivals traditional to their own culture, along with ones from different countries such as Chinese New Year, using craft and cooking. Children show generally good behaviour, and awareness of others' needs, such as when they bring comfort objects to another child. The childminder praises children for caring behaviour, to reinforce this aspect of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

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.

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Insurance). 31/07/2012

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Insurance). 31/07/2012

p.8