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

p.1

Unique reference number 208637 Inspection date 12/03/2009 Inspector Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years in Watton, Norfolk. All of the home is used and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools where she is developing links to support the care she provides for the children. The family have one hamster and two guinea pigs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years. There are currently five children on roll, four of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides effectively for children in the early years age group. Children enjoy an extremely wide range of activities enabling them to make very good progress in their learning and development. Whilst a safe environment has been created, some areas now require attention. The close working relationships that the childminder has with parents and carers ensures that the needs of all children can be met. Effective record keeping and self-evaluation helps the childminder to progressively improve the outcomes for children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 consider the security of the premises with regard to the garden gate and external doors  ensure that the storage of medicines does not pose a risk to children.

p.3

provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted very well through familiar routines which help them to feel safe and secure. Extremely well organised record keeping, comprehensive policies and procedures that have been developed help the childminder to carry out her work effectively. This has a positive impact on the care children receive and involves parents in their child's learning, development and welfare. The childminder holds a childcare qualification and has the appropriate skills to look after children. She has been pro-active in accessing other training workshops to update her knowledge to enable her to provide good quality care and education for the children she cares for.

p.3

provision

Children are supervised well by the childminder, for example, during outside play if one child needs to be accompanied to the bathroom, all children are brought back This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 indoors. External doors are kept locked with the keys kept in easy access should the premises need to be evacuated in an emergency and one garden gate is kept closed. This does present a risk to children as they might be able to unlock doors or open the gate and leave the premises. Risk assessments are conducted which minimise most hazards to children, however, although, medicines are kept in a cupboard with a child proof safety catch, the catch is beginning to wear. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding issues and is able to respond appropriately should she have concerns that a child might be neglected or abused.

p.3

provision

The childminder has self-evaluated her provision to identify her strengths and weaknesses enabling her to make improvements. This has resulted in changes being made since previous visits which has had a positive impact on the care children receive. The partnerships that have been built with parents and other professionals are well established and ensure that each child's need can be met. Parents write to say how pleased they are with the care that is given to their children and the progress that they are making in relation to their age and stage of development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make very good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She plans and provides opportunities to help children learn appropriately both in and out of doors. Observations that are made on children are used to plan a full range of activities to meet children's individual needs. The assessments are then used to ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. Children are well supported by the childminder who is skilled in asking simple open ended questions to promote children's thinking and listening skills. She allows children the time to consider their answers, valuing and respecting what they have to say. Children love playing with the farm which is presented on a low table. They use their imagination unreservedly, putting sheep in the loft because the hay bales are there for them to

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

eat. They thoroughly enjoy dressing up in all sorts of character costumes, telling the childminder that they have now become 'Cinderella' when putting on a ball gown.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed into a friendly child-centred environment where they enjoy good relationships with the childminder and their peers. Their good health and well-being is promoted extremely well because the childminder gathers information from parents regarding any issues such as medical or dietary needs. Many opportunities to play in the fresh air contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Then put on their coats and boots in eager readiness to play outside where they are able to run freely, use scooters or push along toys and adeptly climb appropriate apparatus. Children know the importance of washing their hands after playing outside as they enter the bathroom facilities were posters are displayed showing them how to wash their hands and clean their teeth. Children behave exceptionally well, playing alongside one another often engaged in the same activity. They respond positively to the childminder who uses positive techniques when dealing with behaviour

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management. Children make choices and decisions in their play, whilst also enjoying more structured activities led by the childminder. For example, they visit the local farm to see how animals are cared for and the childminder uses this theme to extend children's knowledge of the world around them. 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? 3 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

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 Ofsted received one complaint that required the provider to take action. This related to the childminder caring for more children than her registration allows and supervision of children in her care.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

We carried out a visit and actions were set for the childminder to ensure that records for each child and a daily record of children's attendance are kept and that children are supervised at all times. The childminder put in place personal details for each child, a daily register recording hours of attendance and children are supervised at all times. The childminder remained suitable for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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