Childminder in Derbyshire

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 EY298023 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a residential area of Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has four cats, a turtle and a tank of fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has seven children on roll. Of these, two children are in the early years range and two children are over eight years of age. Most of the children attend part-time. The childminder takes children to and collects from the local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification. She is registered to work with an assistant. She is a member of the local childminding group and makes use of local facilities such as parks, toddler groups, soft play centres and the library.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder creates a welcoming environment for children where their welfare and learning needs are successfully met. Care is taken to understand and meet children's individual needs and to ensure activities and routines are inclusive. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and other providers, which helps to provide an integrated approach to children's care and learning. She is beginning to use self-evaluation to identify the quality of her provision and takes positive steps to constantly enhance the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the detail in the records of medication administered to children  develop the use of observational assessment to identify children's next steps in their learning and to plan for their future needs.

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provision

The childminder is well-organised and has a professional approach to her childminding. Her practice is underpinned by suitable policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed and updated. She ensures that any assistant used is fully familiar with her ways of working and has the required skills and knowledge to work with the children. She places high priority on keeping children safe and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comprehensive risk assessments in place, which help to identify and minimise potential hazards in the home and on outings. Practical arrangements, such as her supervision of children and attention to all aspects of safety in the home, are all good. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so that she is trained to deal with any medical emergencies. She has also kept her knowledge of child protection issues up-to-date by renewing training and this ensures she is able to

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provision

respond appropriately in the event of any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder keeps all of the required documentation to support children and ensure their care needs are met. However, the records of medication administered to children lack detail, such as when the last dose was administered, and therefore does not fully promote their welfare.

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provision

The childminder maintains good relationships with parents and works with them to ensure children's needs are met. Clear information is shared at the start of any arrangement so that parents understand the childminder's business arrangements and care practices. Ongoing dialogue ensures that parents are kept well-informed about the activities children do and the progress they are making. The childminder shows a clear commitment to providing a high quality service and takes positive actions to evaluate and improve her own practice. For example, she has implemented recommendations made at the previous inspection, which has resulted in improved outcomes for the children. She is beginning to formally evaluate her service and identify areas for future development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the provision of a broad range of activities, both in the home and wider community, that promote their learning and development. The childminder plays a crucial role in building on the learning opportunities for each child and ensuring the experiences are well-matched to their needs, and as a result their progress is good. Children are clearly happy and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy warm and friendly relationships with both the childminder and her assistant, and are confident to involve them both in their play. Children are free to explore and have a good choice of resources available to them. This allows them to select what to do and initiate their own games. For example, children invite the adults to their picnic as they play imaginatively and re-enact past experiences. Children's communication is encouraged through lots of meaningful conversation, singing and stories. They enjoy looking at books and enjoy snuggling

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

up with the childminder for a favourite story. Good use is made of the outdoor area to allow children to be physical and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world. For example, children actively help to plant seeds, care for plants and harvest fruits and vegetables from the garden. The childminder observes children and has begun to record these formally. She is gaining valuable information about children's achievements but these are not yet sufficiently developed to show children's progress across all of the areas of learning and to clearly identify their next steps, so that they can be used to inform future planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave very well and develop good social skills. They understand what is expected of them because the childminder is clear and consistent in her approach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She provides sensitive guidance to young children so that they develop independence and remain safe. For example, children know which toys they can reach independently and when they need to ask for help. The childminder maintains good standards of hygiene in the home and promotes healthy practices when working with the children. Nappies are changed according to the needs of individual children so that they remain comfortable at all times. Their good health is further promoted because the childminder helps them to eat a healthy range of foods and involves them in growing and picking fruits and vegetables, which raises their knowledge of raw ingredients. Children are active and benefit from use of the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

garden and local outdoor areas for play. Weekly routines provide a variety of experiences for children that encourage them to mix with others, which helps promote their social skills. Through attending toddler groups, messy play sessions and visiting the library and local open spaces, children enjoy a variety of interesting activities and learn about the local community. 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? 2 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? 2

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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?

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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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