Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28/10/2014 10/02/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

 The childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences, which supports children well in making good progress in all areas.  Children are happy, confident and secure in this homely environment because the childminder provides warm interactions and builds positive relationships with children.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the health and safety of the children in his care. As a result, children are well cared for and protected.  The childminder builds positive relationships with parents and keeps them informed and involved in their children's care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not always make use of all opportunities to consistently use effective teaching methods, such as skilful questioning, to extend children's critical thinking skills.

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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 observed activities and the quality of interaction between the children and the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector engaged in discussion with the childminder and the children throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled documentation, including children's progress reports.  The inspector took into account the views of parents from written statements.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2004 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder and two children aged 16 and 13 years in a house in Cliviger near Burnley. The conservatory on the ground floor, two bedrooms on the first floor, the front garden and woodland area are used for childminding. The family has one Labrador as a pet. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. He visits the local market, parks and historical places of interests on a regular basis. He collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently 13 children on roll, nine of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. He operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. He is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early

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

 extend the use of effective teaching methods, such as effective questioning techniques, in order to enhance children's critical thinking skills.

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who attend

Children benefit from a stimulating learning environment because the childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, he provides a wide range of activities, which cover the seven areas of learning. Planning is based upon the childminder's knowledge of the children's interests and their identified next steps in learning. For example, children's interest in car registration plates is extended in the outdoor area with representations of different registration plates from around the world. This helps promote an inclusive environment, rich in print so that the children can begin to recognise letters and words.

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who attend

The childminder creates a comfortable environment and gives his full attention to the children during their purposeful play, which makes learning enjoyable. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing as they play, providing extra vocabulary and sensitively supporting pronunciation. However, on some occasions the childminder misses some opportunities to skilfully question children, to develop their critical thinking skills, to extend learning even further. He guides and supports children as they attempt new skills, giving praise at appropriate times during activities. For example, as children attempt to build more difficult three dimensional structures in the sand, he ensures that correct resources are close by. As a result, children build on their abilities and make good progress towards their learning goals. This equally helps children to succeed and feel pride in their achievements.

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who attend

Children gain an understanding of nature and the world around them as they regularly explore the grounds around them. For example, children make regular trips to the nearby field where they feed the geese and hens. Early mathematical development is threaded through children's everyday experiences. For example, the childminder naturally counts with the children, talks about the shape of bread at mealtimes and introduces the idea of size in every day routines. As a result of the learning environment provided by the childminder, children show that they are developing high levels of self-esteem. They are also developing the skills required for the next stages in their learning, including school. Parents are involved as partners as the childminder gathers good information when children start the provision. They state they are very happy with the provision offered to their children. The childminder shares summaries with the parents, including the required

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who attend

progress check for children aged between two and three years. They are actively encouraged to take the children's learning home and to add comments or achievements children make at home. These positive partnerships help to ensure effective information sharing to ensure children's needs are continuously met.

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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have established warm and trusting relationships with him, which successfully supports their emotional and physical well-being. The childminder is kind and gentle in his approach and ensures that he consistently meets their care routines effectively. This helps children to settle quickly and feel safe and secure. The childminder consistently promotes children's self-esteem and compliments them when they achieve well. The childminder teaches children how to keep safe on outings. For instance, he encourages them to hold hands when walking to the field and children wear high visibility vests when going on frog hunts. He talks to the children about road safety, so they learn to listen for cars before crossing the road. The childminder also practises fire drills with children regularly. This helps children learn effectively about some possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe from harm.

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

Children are learning about health and hygiene well, through a wide range of activities and daily routines. For example, the childminder encourages children to wash their hands before they eat. The childminder involves parents to help support children to collect food wrappers to enable them to put together a healthy plate display. This is a proactive approach to help role model and work in partnerships with parents to provide children with healthy meals and snacks. The childminder offers children a good choice of nutritious foods for their meals. For example, children chose to have tomatoes and carrot sticks for their snack. Children are actively involved in growing their own vegetables in the garden. This actively helps children develop a positive interest in foods that will help them stay fit and healthy. The childminder seeks opportunities to allow children to become confident in social situations and explore different environments. They attend play groups and sessions at

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

the local children's centre to help prepare children for the move to other settings. Children practice dressing themselves, so that they will be able to do this independently when they move to school. These skills help to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. Children's good behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe in the provision. This is because the childminder gives clear guidance and helps them understand what is expected from them.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is clear about his responsibility with regards to protecting children from harm. He continues to develop his knowledge through a variety of training opportunities, which supports him effectively to review his operational policies and procedures in line with current legislation. The childminder provides copies of his policies for parents. This means that they can be clearly aware of how he cares and supports their child's needs. The childminder takes effective steps to make the setting safe. He completes daily checks and robust risk assessments to identify potential hazards in his home and on outings. There is appropriate fire detection and safety equipment fitted. The childminder organises and maintains his accident and medication records well. This ensures he meets the regulatory requirements and provides parents with clear details

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provision

of the health and care their children receive.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. He effectively monitors children's progress each term and identifies their next steps. Regular reviews of these allow the childminder to quickly identify where children may need further support. The childminder uses self-evaluation and guidance from the local authority to help him identify areas for further development. As a result, the childminder has addressed the recommendation raised at the last inspection to promote good learning outcomes for all the children. This further demonstrates a good capacity to making and maintaining continuous improvements.

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provision

Parents are involved in children's learning as the childminder provides daily written information and collects regular information, so that he can keep up to date with children's changing interests. This helps him to continually meet children's needs. The childminder has established links with local schools and nursery settings so that he can share planning practice with teaching staff. This allows the childminder to develop children's learning effectively.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY271427 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 860786 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13

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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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