Childminder in Lincolnshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 209247 Inspection date 23/09/2008 Inspector Louise Brawn / Lesley Barrett

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and their daughter aged 14 years. The family live in a three bedroomed house in a town just outside of Peterborough. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. Of these, three children may be under the age of five years. She currently cares for 14 children on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The family keep fish and have a pet cat. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment for children and their families. She provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, although assessment procedures require further development to ensure that all children's learning potential is fulfilled. Children actively participate in a wide range of activities suitable to their ages and stages of development and they enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder. The childminder ensures children are valued as individuals by treating them with respect and including them in the provision offered. The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents and provides them with good information about her service and their child's care and learning. The childminder has effective systems in place to self-evaluate her practice and is committed to improving the provision for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 use assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach  ensure written consent is requested, at the time of admission, to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment in the future  ensure a record is maintained of risk assessments, when and by whom they have been checked.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are well promoted as the childminder is committed to extending her knowledge and understanding of relevant issues by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attending further training when needed. Documentation is well organised and written policies and procedures are effective in promoting children's welfare. The childminder has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children's Boards procedures and is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She further ensures children's safety by providing close supervision at all times and undertaking regular visual risk assessments. However, the childminder does not have these risk assessments documented which is now a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has good working relationships with parents who receive a wealth of information about the childminding service and their child's care. Parents have access to policies and procedures and all other relevant written records. Daily diaries completed by the childminder and parents provide clear information about children's activities and routines and ensures information is constantly shared. The childminder initially spends time talking to parents and offering children settling-in sessions to enable her to get to know the family and discover children's interests and starting points. The childminder is then able to plan and provide appropriate activities and resources to support each child.

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provision

The childminder has a clear and realistic awareness of her own provision and identifies areas for improvement where necessary. She has taken positive steps to address recommendations made at the last inspection which has helped to further promote children's health and safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans and provides a good range of activities and play equipment to cover all areas of learning which take account of children's individual interests and needs. She has started to develop systems to plan and assess children's learning. However, these have yet to be used to identify the next steps of learning to ensure that appropriate challenge and support is offered at all times. All children have equal access to activities and equipment, and as a result, gain the most from the learning opportunities provided. The childminder has a good understanding of learning through play and supports children appropriately as they choose from the freely accessible toys and resources in the home. She regularly updates children's files with the progress they are making and exchanges information with parents to ensure all children receive the support and care that they need.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play well together, they are learning to share and take turns and are encouraged to use good manners. The childminder's close relationship with parents ensures that children's behaviour is handled consistently and any changes can be dealt with effectively. Children confidently ask for resources and the childminder responds positively to these requests which boosts children's confidence and self- esteem. The childminder interacts effectively with children, asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. Through practical activities children develop their awareness of counting and matching objects. Children have good opportunities to learn about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the world around them as they go on walks and trips out in the local area. For example, they visit the museum, learn about various festivals that take place around

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the world and they listen to stories and look at photographs of the childminder's trips out with her own family. Suitable indoor and outdoor provision is made for children to develop their physical skills and coordination. Children's creativity is promoted as they select from a range of resources to create their own pictures and use books as tunnels for trains and cars to go under.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in her care. For example, good health is well promoted as children learn about the importance of hand washing by creating signs that act as reminders to wash hands after using the toilet. The childminder ensures drinks are readily accessible at all times and provides healthy snacks such as fresh fruit. The childminder encourages children to learn about how to keep themselves safe from harm by acting as a positive role model on outings and by regularly practising fire evacuation procedures. The childminder ensures she can respond appropriately if children are ill or have an accident. However, permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place for every child. Overall the childminder has effective records and written procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted’

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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