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

p.1

Unique reference number 225987 Inspection date 17/11/2008 Inspector Sally Elizabeth Lee

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her partner in a semi- detached house in Blaby, Leicestershire. The whole of the house is used for childminding except for the main and spare bedrooms. The bathroom is on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the Compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the Voluntary Childcare Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the childminder provides satisfactory care and education for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are secure and settled in the childminder's home. The information the childminder gathers from parents enables her to meet children's individual needs and to work in partnership to provide consistent care. The lack of systems in place to assess the strengths and weaknesses of her practice limits the childminder's capacity for improvement and affects her overall practice.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 make systematic observations and assessments of each child’s achievements, interests and learning styles and use these to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child  keep a written record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 02/03/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. She has addressed the three actions from the inspection effectively and this has improved the quality of the care. Children's health benefits because the contents of the first aid box is checked frequently and the childminder makes sure that no one in the childminder's home smokes in the presence of the children at any time. The childminder has given up smoking since the last inspection. In addition, children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 now learn how to keep themselves safe by talking about the fire evacuation procedure regularly. Suitable and safe arrangements have been provided for sleeping young children in the form of a travel cot. These measures have improved the care. However, the quality of the care provided is affected because the childminder has not developed any systems for assessing her own practice and has

p.3

provision

not completed the self-evaluation form prior to the inspection. She is able to identify areas for development, for example, she talks enthusiastically about providing a vegetable plot in the garden and growing vegetables with the children.

p.4

provision

The childminder organises space and resources well. The first floor playroom is inviting and toys and play materials are stored accessibly so that children can develop independence in their play. She has created a welcoming, homely environment for children and their parents. The childminder has developed a sound partnership with parents and provides regular daily feedback about what the children have been doing. However, no links have been made with other providers of the EYFS which has the potential to affect the continuity of learning and care.

p.4

provision

Records are kept efficiently and include most of the necessary information. The childminder is skilled at assessing and limiting risk and all of the necessary safety equipment is in place, for example, safety gates and socket covers. However, she does not keep a written record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken. Information is obtained from parents with regard to children's likes, dislikes, fears and individual needs and, although, currently the majority of this information is verbal, this helps to ensure that children's individual needs are known and can be met by the childminder. She shows a commitment to inclusive practice.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and happy in the childminding environment. They relate well to the childminder, her family and to visitors. The childminder talks to the children a great deal, chatting as she performs care tasks, such as, changing their nappies or feeding them. This helps to develop their language and their social skills. Self- esteem is raised as the childminder responds to the child's achievements, praising and clapping as they build towers with the blocks. Children are encouraged to develop independence by putting on their own coats and shoes and accessing toys. They learn to take turns as they play games together and to share the resources, developing their social skills. The childminder manages their behaviour quietly and uses distraction to good effect with younger children. Even very young children enjoy books and stories and respond positively to their favourites amongst the inviting range available to them.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about their local environment as they go on the school run and out to local parks and shops. They see change in the natural world as they walk through the woods and grow bulbs in the garden. They develop their physical skills on the large play equipment in the local park and younger children enjoy the small play equipment in the childminder's garden. Role play is enjoyed as children play with the cooker and play food, although, school is their favourite role play scenario. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from the sound range of activities provided and from the childminder's caring attitude which ensures their needs are met. However, the childminder has not yet developed systems for observing and assessing children's individual progress and using this information to help them to take the next steps in their learning and development. This has the potential to limit their progress in

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

all areas. The childminder makes safety a high priority and children learn how to keep themselves safe by learning about road safety on the way to school and by practising the fire evacuation procedure. Children are further protected because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. However, the childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate and this has the potential to put children at risk of harm. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8