Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26/06/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Teaching is good because the childminder uses observations and assessments well to plan for children's next steps in their learning. Consequently, they make good progress in relation to their starting points.  The childminder's safeguarding procedures are robust and rigorous and good steps are taken to reduce potential dangers. As a result, children are well protected and kept safe.  Children are happy and relaxed within the childminder's home because of the good relationships established between them.  The childminder has a made a very positive start to her childminding career. She is enthusiastic and committed to continual improvement, so that she can provide the best care for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to strengthen the links with parents, so that they routinely share about what children are learning at home, so this can be taken into account when planning activities to extend children's good learning even further.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector viewed the premises, toys and equipment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder and household members.  The inspector looked at a selection of documents including children's records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents provided in written form.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2014 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her daughter aged 15 years and adult son in a house in Leyland, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. A secure garden is available for outdoor play.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local church hall. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range and they attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 strengthen opportunities for parents to contribute more information about what children do at home and use this shared knowledge to plan together and think through ideas of how to move children even further forward in their learning.

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who attend

The childminder fully supports the learning and development of young children and she recognises the importance of kindling children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. She obviously enjoys this area of her work and demonstrates much good practice. The childminder uses her knowledge to help her provide activities that are of interest to children and help them make progress. She successfully encourages children to freely access the range of well-organised resources, following their interests to support their learning. Consequently, children are being well prepared for the next stage in their learning. The childminder's observations of children are well documented and she uses this information to monitor their progress and to plan for the next steps in their learning. The children's learning journals are regularly shared with parents. These journals are attractive and informative, providing written and photographic details of where their

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who attend

children are in their developmental areas. Parents state that the childminder always tells them about their child's day and what they have learnt. However, the childminder provides fewer opportunities for parents to share what children have been doing at home so she can use this to inform the planning process and further secure children's learning.

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who attend

Teaching is good as the childminder successfully interacts with children in a positive manner. She engages fully in all aspects of children's play and skilfully extends their language through her good use of open-ended questions and discussions. For example, children thoroughly enjoy completing the wooden food jigsaw. The childminder encourages them to name the different foods and colours and successfully supports them to turn the shapes until they fit in. She encourages children to make choices about their play, both indoors and outside. They delight in chasing and dancing around the bubbles as they catch and pop them laughing and giggling. Children independently choose books from the attractive display. Young children enjoy listening to stories the childminder reads to them, especially those linked to their interest in animals and nature.

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who attend

The childminder makes good use of local community groups to provide additional learning activities for children. These include opportunities to delight in sensory exploration and making mess as they engage in art and craft activities. The childminder proudly displays the work children have produced in her home. This shows them their efforts are very much valued and gives them a sense of belonging. She also meets regularly with other childminders and their children. As well as giving children additional experiences, this allows them time to play in larger groups, which helps with their social development. The childminder supports and encourages children's good physical development, providing many opportunities for energetic play outdoors in the garden, at local parks and trips into the local community. She is particularly skilful at encouraging children to 'have a go'. Consequently, children learn to negotiate the climbing frames and confidently use small

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who attend

tools such as spades and gardening forks outdoors.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder establishes strong relationships with children, who demonstrate a secure attachment to her. She finds out as much as she can from parents about children's likes, dislikes and routines and takes care to use the information. This ensures that routines are familiar and comforting and enables children to feel very secure and settle well. This supports their emotional well-being and results in them gaining in confidence and self- esteem. Each child's individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to a high standard. The childminder ensures any specific dietary needs are met and children are well hydrated with regular drinks of water. Children eat nutritious, home-cooked meals and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Through good discussions, she teaches children the importance of a healthy diet so they develop an awareness of healthy foods. The childminder encourages children to be independent and to hygienically manage their own

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

personal needs. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands independently before having their snack. Young children are developing good self-help skills as they make attempts to spread butter on their crumpets and feed themselves. High standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout all childminding areas. Effective nappy changing procedures also help to prevent the spread of infection.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Very good provision is made for children to benefit from the fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes advantage of the nearby parks and walks in the community to give children lots of opportunities to benefit from being outdoors and to learn about the world around them. She also accesses regular sessions at community groups to help children mix with larger groups and develop their social skills. Consequently, children are developing the necessary skills ready for the move on to their next stage of learning. Children play in a child-friendly environment with an extensive range of clean, age- appropriate toys and equipment that effectively support their overall well-being and care. The childminder effectively promotes children's well-being and independence. She allows children time to investigate on their own but knows when to offer help. The childminder positively promotes children's sense of emotional belonging and self-esteem, and

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

effectively praises them for their achievements. She helps them to understand expectations and boundaries and although, very young, they are beginning to respond to these.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children gain a secure understanding of risk as they explore their environment. The childminder gives children the opportunities to practise what they can do in safe surroundings as she knows that the youngest children have little sense of danger. Even though very young, she includes them in conversations about road safety, so they develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan, which raises their awareness of what to do in an emergency. Appropriate procedures are in place for dealing with accidents and administrating medication and the childminder has completed first-aid training. This enables her to respond appropriately in the event of any accident.

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provision

The childminder fully meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. High priority is given to keeping children safe. She has attended recent safeguarding training, ensuring she is knowledgeable about current policies and procedures. She demonstrates a detailed understanding of her responsibilities in ensuring children are kept safe at all times. The childminder is conscientious in reducing potential dangers and risks to children, both in the home and when on outings. Comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken and a record is kept of these. The childminder checks the premises and equipment every day to ensure they are safe for children to use. Children are very well supervised and are within the childminder's sight at all times. Visitors' identification documents are checked and security procedures are strictly adhered to. For example, mobile telephones and cameras are not permitted while in her home. A register

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provision

of the children's attendance is in place and this ensures the childminder is adhering to required ratios.

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provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. This is because the childminder uses her secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to assess children's development and plan for further learning. She is clearly aware of the benefits of working with others to support children's continuity of care and learning and close links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are in place. The childminder has made a very good start to her childcare career and has the capacity to improve this even further. She is very enthusiastic and committed to developing her provision to the highest standards. The childminder maintains professional relationships with early years advisors from the local authority and values their advice and support. She has started to identify the provision's strengths and areas for development and is targeting areas that will bring about most benefit to children.

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provision

She welcomes feedback from parents and uses their contributions to help her with the evaluation process.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents' written comments indicate their satisfaction with the service the childminder provides and they say that they are very happy and are confident in her abilities as a childminder. A wide range of information is shared with parents prior to care commencing, so they are fully informed of the childminder's policies and procedures. As well as daily conversations, a diary is kept, so that parents have full information about their child's care. She displays a range of useful information on the noticeboard and supports this with a termly newsletter that includes up and coming events and topics that the parents can get involved with. This ensures children's individual needs are met. The childminder is proactive in working with other settings the children attend, through daily verbal feedback about their progress and next steps, which ensures consistency and continuity of care.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472809 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 950346 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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