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 EY367543 Inspection date 24/09/2008 Inspector Gill Ogden / Susan Hoult

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 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 A ct 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her adult son and teenage daughter in Lincoln city. All of the ground floor and the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog. Amenities such as shops, schools, pre-schools and park are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children on the Early Years register and three children on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register at any one time. She currently looks after five children within the early years age group. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, caring and child-friendly environment for children. She has worked very hard in the short time she has been registered to put into place an extremely effective system to ensure each child's learning and development needs are fully supported to enable them to make rapid progress. Excellent relationships with parents and others who are regularly involved with the children contribute significantly to ensuring each child's individual needs are fully met. Thorough self-evaluation of the provision ensures that any minor weakness is identified and steps are put into place to rectify them. The childminder is currently working towards achieving an early years degree which involves her in constantly seeking out new information and ideas that she uses to enhance her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase understanding of safeguarding children issues.

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provision

The childminder has conducted and completed a thorough written evaluation of her provision and monitors and evaluates spontaneously on an everyday basis and records her thoughts in a diary. She has a clear sense of the weaker areas of her provision, such as child protection issues, and has already taken some steps to deal with this because she has booked on training to increase her confidence in handling any incidents that might arise. The childminder already has copies of national guidance related to this area and all the necessary information to enable her to make a referral if necessary.

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provision

The childminder has been pro-active in sending out parental questionnaires to check that parents are happy with what she provides for children and to encourage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006 them to make suggestions and take a full part in sharing the care of their children. Parents are given lots of information about the provision, including a full set of written policies and procedures, and the childminder has also produced a small leaflet for children that has lots of photographs in it to show them what kind of activities they might take part in when they are looked after by the childminder. Regular newsletters keep parents informed about the activities their children will be experiencing whilst they are with the childminder and daily diaries are completed that ensure parents are kept fully up to date with care issues such as what children have eaten and if they have slept as well as very useful information

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provision

about what activities the children have enjoyed and any achievements. Parents are very much involved in contributing towards the assessment of their children's abilities both when they first start to attend and on an ongoing basis.

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provision

Excellent relationships exist with other provisions that children attend. For example, as well as sharing information on a daily basis about a child with the key person at a nursery the child attends, the childminder has permission from parents to meet with the staff member each term so that they can discuss more formally the child's needs and interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have their welfare needs met well whilst also having excellent opportunities to learn and develop. A full written risk assessment is in place and daily checks are carried out to ensure children are kept safe both in the home and outdoors. Detailed policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed provide a robust framework for children's care. For example, there is a clear policy on contact with animals. It shows that children will learn to behave carefully around dogs and treat them with respect in order to ensure their own safety. The childminder gently encourages children to try different healthy foods even though they have refused them in the past.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well to achieve because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the early learning goals and has experience in planning for and assessing children's progress. The childminder has thoroughly thought through how to make the best use of the space in her home to provide an attractive and stimulating learning environment for the children whilst still maintaining a homely atmosphere. She has a permanently set out role-play area and a bookcase where children can easily make choices for themselves. Other toys and resources are stored in containers that are labelled with words and pictures so that even the younger children can find what they want to play with. Good efforts have been made to develop the garden as an 'outdoor classroom'. There are clearly identified areas for children to enjoy, for example, large physical play, gardening and water play. Time outdoors for all types of learning as well as fresh air and exercise is part

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Activity plans for each month are developed from broad long term plans and they are further refined to complement experiences children have elsewhere. Great flexibility exists to allow children's interests to be followed. For example, after collecting leaves and using them to print with paint, children enjoy washing their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006 hands so much that they want to continue with water play so the childminder sets it up outdoors for them. Children thoroughly enjoy floating boats and ducks, watching water run through sieves and filling and emptying containers. Close observation of children, along with information gained from parents and others, enables the childminder to provide for their individual learning styles. For example, the childminder has noticed that a young child is at a stage where she likes to transport and envelop items. The childminder has researched this in order to be able to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

provide resources for her to indulge in this kind of play. As a result of children asking questions about adults in 'pushchairs' when they are out and about the childminder purchased some small world items so that the children could use them to actively explore their understanding of the explanation the childminder had given them. Observations of children's achievements are recorded in words and pictures and these are then very effectively used to plan children's next steps. Parents are fully involved in this process and look at and contribute to the children's development files regularly. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 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? Outstanding

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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? Outstanding 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 A ct 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 A ct 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 registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.

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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 by 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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