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 EY321508 Inspection date 26/05/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 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 with Ofsted since 2006. She lives in Barwell with her husband and her son aged six months. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low step and toilet facilities are on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding a total of three children in this age group who attend for various sessions. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder has systems in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised early years qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children's learning and welfare are suitably promoted and the childminder ensures that all children are valued and included. Sound partnerships with parents and others help to support children's care and most required information is shared with and obtained from parents. The childminder is generally aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and her commitment to continuous improvement is sound. However, she is not fully conversant with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and systems used for evaluating her practice and observing and assessing children are still very much in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 engage in reflective practice to ensure that quality improvement is a continuous process  develop understanding and confidence in completing continual observational assessment in order to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there  develop strategies to improve partnership working with parents and others with particular regard to finding out about children's starting points and sharing information about their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide parents with information regarding the procedure to be followed in the event of a child going missing and obtain information from parents about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 02/06/2009  maintain a record of risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review of incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 02/06/2009

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provision

The childminder's organisation of her provision is generally sound and ensures that children receive care which is safe and reliable. She has a general awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and has suitably met recommendations raised at her last inspection. She started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation tool to assess some aspects of her practice but has no clear system to monitor her provision as a whole or to gain the views of others. Consequently, her ability to effectively improve practice and outcomes for children is impeded.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and understands her responsibilities with regard to her conditions of registration and protecting children from harm. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and is clear about the need to record and report any concerns that she may have. She has attended a child protection training course and has a written child protection policy that she shares with parents. Children receive a suitable level of supervision, and available space and resources within her home are organised appropriately.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory. The childminder chats to parents on a regular basis about what their children have been doing and how they have been in her care. Some of the children currently in the childminder's care also attend other settings delivering the EYFS and the childminder is aware of the value of forging links with these providers. The childminder asks parents to share information about activities taking place at the other settings and she talks to children about what they have been doing. However, at present, very little information is shared regarding individual children's welfare and progress. Consequently, her ability to extend or support children's learning and development when they are in her care and provide consistency and coherence is impeded.

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provision

Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is generally in place and is maintained appropriately. However, children's welfare is potentially compromised because some welfare requirements of the EYFS are not met. The childminder has not kept a record of her risk assessment, parents are not provided with information regarding the procedure she would follow should a child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 go missing and she has not obtained information about who has legal contact with or parental responsibility for individual children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled in a warm and homely environment where they are treated equally and encouraged to show care and respect for others. They behave well and good manners are evident. The childminder is a positive role model and ensures that children are aware of her boundaries and expectations for their behaviour. She adopts a calm, friendly and sensitive approach with the children and they are at ease in her care. They are keen to join in with conversations and chat happily during play and everyday activities. The childminder encourages children to be inquisitive and active learners through offering them choices and posing questions that encourage them to think and problem solve. For example, whilst building a garage using small plastic bricks a child realised that he would not have sufficient bricks to build a roof and the childminder encouraged him to think of other things he could successfully use for this purpose. Children are happy in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

her care and have access to a variety of toys and experiences that suitably reflect their needs and interests. The childminder has limited room for toy storage but always ensures that a variety of resources are available to encourage children’s independence and freedom of choice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept safe in the setting because the childminder has appropriately identified and minimised potential risks to children. Suitable safety precautions are in place, for example, unused electric sockets are covered, hazardous materials are stored out of children’s reach and regularly checked smoke detectors are fitted on both floors of her home. Children are learning to protect their own safety as they practise road safety rules when out and about in the local environment and the childminder talks to them about safety issues within the home. For example, she reminds children not to play with toys where they might pose a potential tripping hazard to others and she asks them to tell her about any broken toys so that these can be fixed or thrown away. Children’s health is suitably promoted as all areas of the childminder’s home are very clean and children are encouraged to follow good hygiene practices. They play outside on a regular basis and visits to local parks,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

where there are lots of open spaces and a range of children’s play equipment which help to develop children’s all round physical skills and good health.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs appropriately. She informally plans a variety of experiences that suitably reflect their needs and interests and help them to progress in their learning and development. For example, children take part in cookery activities and these help to teach them about hygiene and safety, whilst at the same time introducing the concept of weight and an understanding of the changes that happen when ingredients are cooked. Children learn about nature and the environment as they walk to the local shops and the childminder alerts children to numbers and letters that occur on buses and signs and children are helped to gain an awareness of money and the wider community.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has begun to record some observations of what the children can This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 do in order to assess and chart their progress. She intends to develop ‘Learning Journeys’ for each of the children and these will be used to chart children’s progress using photographs, examples of their work and brief written observations; the intention is for these to be shared with parents and any other settings that children might attend. However, the childminder has not yet fully developed these systems and is not effectively involving parents or using her observations to identify children’s starting points, needs and interests or plan the next steps in their learning. Consequently, children may not be fully supported or challenged. 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? 3 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? 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?

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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

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