Childminder in North 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

p.1

Unique reference number EY303967 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Gill Ogden

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 2005. She lives in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire with her three children aged 14, 11 and nine. All the ground floor of their home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. The home is adapted for use by those with disabilities. A full range of amenities is within walking distance. The family keeps a dog and a rabbit as pets.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after one child in the early years range and three older children.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows all the children she looks after well and has good working relationships with parents and the local school so each child's individual needs can be met. Systems are either in place or currently being set up to support children's ongoing learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is committed to making ongoing improvements to her service and is able to identify most of the key areas for improvement.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop further the use of observations from both staff, parents and others involved with the child to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 conduct a risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis; maintain a record of these particular checks showing when and by whom they have been checked and review it at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 02/02/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards improving her practice. She is aware of some of the areas of her provision that need improving and very open to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suggestion about others. She is currently considering taking up degree level training as well as renewing her first aid certificate and attending workshops specifically related to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Recommendations made at the last inspection were dealt with promptly to improve children's safety and ensure information about raising concerns was shared with parents according to the requirements of legislation. Good systems are in place to monitor safety and hygiene in the home on a daily, weekly and monthly basis but the childminder has not yet completed a full risk assessment on the garden and regular outings. However, this does not impact significantly in children's safety because they are

p.3

provision

taught well about keeping themselves safe when they are outdoors. In addition, the childminder is knowledgeable about her child protection responsibilities and confident in dealing with any situation that may arise. All the required records are in place and kept accurately. Most policies and procedures are in writing so are easily checked by parents.

p.4

provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure each child's individual needs are met well. She already shares information verbally on a regular basis and has developed a diary system which provides an additional opportunity to ensure that no key information is missed. However, this is not yet established sufficiently to ensure parents are fully involved in the assessment of their children's progress. Good relationships with the local school contribute effectively to the progress children make. For example, the school also uses a diary system which the childminder can access and she helps children with their reading using the books that they bring home from school. The childminder ensures parents are made clearly aware if she has any doubts that she can meet their children's needs fully.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a secure understanding of all the areas of learning and how to deliver these in relation to children's interests. A more formal observation and assessment system is being developed to help identify more clearly children's next development and learning targets. Toys and play materials that individual children are interested in and are suitable for them are stored where they can easily get to them. Displays of children's work and any information regarding topics and themes, currently Chinese New Year, are on the wall in the kitchen/diner in full view of the children when they are using the table in there. Activities are planned to allow all children who are being looked after at the time, no matter what their age or ability, to take part to some degree. This is one of the ways that children's high self-esteem is promoted which is an area that the childminder focuses on

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

along with encouraging them to express themselves through creative activities. Children become independent and self-sufficient through activities such as helping the childminder prepare their meals. For example, a young child cracks the eggs for his omelette and comments on the way the colour changes from orange to yellow as he mixes them. Through this kind of activity children also learn about change as the eggs turn into something which is different from the ingredients started with when they are cooked. Children make good use of the outdoors, learning about the natural world and the seasons and growing, for example, strawberries and tomatoes, which they then eat. Plans are in place to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children enjoy a varied day which includes time for rest and relaxation. This sometimes involves watching television with the childminder and they show,

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

through discussions with the childminder, that they are thinking whilst watching. For example, a child comments on the food that is being put on a plate and starts to chat about which items he likes, so making sense of it by relating it to his own life. Children are encouraged to make the most of every activity such as counting the pictures they have cut out and stuck on and describing what they are drawing, relating it to their experiences.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is organised so that it is safe for children to move around independently. They are encouraged to follow house rules and behaviour rules when they are out and about. In this way they learn to keep themselves safe by, for example, not talking to strangers outdoors and using play equipment carefully so that they do not have an accident. They remember their manners which contributes towards their behaviour becoming socially acceptable and developing respect for all. Very good hygiene standards are maintained in the home with the help of a cleaning checklist and children automatically wash their hands, for example, before and after cooking. All this helps to protect children from infection. 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? 2 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? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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