Childminder in Leicestershire

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 225202 Inspection date 05/11/2008 Inspector Alison Edwards

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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

This childminder registered in 1994. She is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for no more than six children under eight years. There are currently six minded children on roll on a part-time basis, five of whom are within the Early Years age range. The childminder lives with her husband in a two storey house on a residential road in a large village in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire. The ground floor of the house is accessed by a low step. Minded children use the ground floor of the house with access to the first floor bathroom facilities as needed. Local parks are used for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to a local schools and pre-schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Childminding is not currently organised to meet children's needs because the childminder has not yet established appropriate ways to assess children's abilities and to plan for their continuing progress. However, she is aware of the recent introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and of her general responsibilities to promote children's development and learning. Children are settled and contented in this comfortable and affectionate family home. The childminder takes sensible precautions to maintain their safety and health, and has taken relevant steps to improve her capacity to do so. For example, following her last inspection she has sought professional advice to better enable her to meet children's individual needs for specialist medication.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure written records are maintained of regularly reviewed risk assessments (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 26/11/2008  develop arrangements to undertake sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs. 26/11/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop use of the outdoor environment to extend children's opportunities to explore the natural world, use all their senses and be physically active  develop ways to share progress information with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has not yet established appropriate arrangements to observe and assess children in order to plan for their future learning. Consequently, childminding is not currently organised to ensure that all children make sufficient progress. However, the childminder has made use of some local external sources of support to introduce her to most aspects of the EYFS.

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provision

Sound practical arrangements are in place to safeguard children from harm. The childminder maintains appropriate records of children's contact and personal details in order to manage their individual care and health needs appropriately. She recognises her responsibility to follow agreed guidance in the event of any concerns about a child so as to protect them from abuse. Careful supervision and sensible safety precautions help to maintain children's safety in the home and during any outings. However, the childminder does not yet use required written risk assessment records to document the arrangements for children's safety.

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provision

The childminder has long-standing arrangements with several families, and has established links with a number of local schools and pre-schools. This helps to promote continuity and consistency in children's care. She is familiar with ways of working with other agencies, such as health professionals, to support the inclusion of any children with identified disabilities or additional needs. She uses written agreements and initial discussion to ensure there is a shared understanding between herself and parents about arrangements for children's care. In addition to informal daily discussion, she is developing the use of daily diaries to share on- going information with parents about experiences in children's lives. However, as yet, these are not yet effectively used to share progress information with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not yet observe and assess individual children's abilities, or plan for their future progress. Consequently, the early years provision does not adequately ensure that children make sufficient progress in their learning. However, the childminder has a basic understanding of the main areas of learning within the EYFS and of how to use a variety of practical play activities within the home to support children's overall development. Children are therefore often interested and engaged in their play. For example, toddlers enjoy sorting plastic farm animals and begin to show some awareness of number as the childminder encourages them to count these. They independently begin to retell stories, sometimes reflecting people with different lifestyles and characteristics, as they look at the pictures in favourite books. The childminder helps them develop their thinking skills to solve simple

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

problems, for example, when fitting jigsaw puzzles together. She enables children to experience aspects of everyday technology as they use a toy 'swipe card' till or a toy laptop. She does not yet make full use of outdoor activities and local facilities to help children learn about the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow healthy practices within daily routines, for example, using liquid soap and individual hand drying facilities when washing their hands. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shares relevant information with parents to ensure children's individual health needs are met, for example, with regard to any specific allergies or dietary needs. Children show careful dexterity as they position and fasten plastic rail tracks together. They show enjoyment and rhythm in simple action songs such as 'Wheels on the bus'. They begin to learn about the effects of exercise on their bodies as they talk about how they feel after walking back from pre-school, or riding in the push chair.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children show growing awareness of how to behave safely as they concentrate carefully when climbing the stairs or talk with the childminder about the reasons for walking, not running, indoors. There are sound arrangements to enable them to play safely and freely within the home. For example, the premises are kept secure, the childminder offers careful levels of supervision, furnishings and play materials are suitably designed for their use. The childminder takes account of children's level of maturity when implementing appropriate measures to maintain their safety, for example, when deciding which type of safety straps to use with younger children when out walking. However, she does not yet maintain the required written risk assessments to document potential hazards and how these are addressed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are contented and relaxed in the childminder's care because she is affectionate and consistent in her dealings with them. This helps them to feel secure, settled, and to understand what is expected of them, for example, as toddlers and pre-school children readily seat themselves at a low table for lunch. The childminder provides a fair selection of appropriate play materials, enabling children to make purposeful choices in their play. She spends time talking and playing with them, encouraging them to share and take turns, and to use their thinking skills, so helping to establish a sound habits for future learning. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 4 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 4 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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: 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 (W3, Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 26/11/2008  ensure there is a written statement of the procedures to be followed for the protection of children (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (CR2 Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 26/11/2008

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (CR2 Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 26/11/2008 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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