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

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Unique reference number 208743 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 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.

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 16 and eight years. They live in on the outskirts of Lincoln. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently 10 children on roll of which, four children are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the early years register, compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of the quality assurance programme called Quality First. She has a level three childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures activities are of good quality and challenging, she gives high regard to children's individual interests and takes the lead from the children themselves. An ethos where children are warmly welcomed and every child is treated as unique is successfully promoted to ensure children's welfare and progress in their learning and development is good. However, short term planning is not clearly recorded to indicate how activities are tailored to deliver personalised learning. Child safety is a high priority at the setting, risk assessments and monitoring of practice is rigorous. Although, no dates are recorded when risk assessments are completed. Outstanding commitment and an excellent attitude towards self-evaluation gives a clear vision for the future of this setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observations and short term planning to clearly evidence how activities are tailored to deliver personalised learning  maintain a record of when risk assessments are completed.

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provision

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to improvement. She rigorously reviews and evaluates all aspects of her practice and has an excellent vision and sense of purpose for the future of the setting. This is clearly supported by excellent plans to enhance outcomes for children. For example, she is developing the use of profile records to ensure children continue to make good progress and that there are no omissions in their education. She has drive and ambition for continuous improvement by enhancing her knowledge and skills and applying what she learns. The childminder is forward thinking and began using the Early Year's Foundation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance some months before it was imposed. Therefore, she was extremely well prepared for the changes in regulations, which has improved the effective delivery of children's learning and development, their continuity of care and inclusion.

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provision

The environment is planned very well so that children can choose what they want to do from a wide range of interesting resources, natural material's and exciting activities. Children use an abundance of toys and equipment that are of good quality and safe. The childminder treats everything that happens as an opportunity for children to learn showing that children are at the heart of all that happens. She listens attentively and responds to children sensitively. This enables children to feel valued and encourages them to make good progress in all areas of learning.

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provision

Clear and comprehensive policies and practices are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder is careful about assessing potential risk and taking effective steps to prevent accidents, while allowing children some independence. However, the date the risk assessment is completed is not recorded. The childminder has very good knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has very good knowledge of the correct procedures to follow.

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provision

From the outset of a placement the partnership with parents is given high priority by the childminder. She ensures that she promotes a system that values communication and creates a sense of belonging for both parents and children. Her 'open door' policy and approach has enabled her to build strong relationships with the children's families and ensures she understands and can plan in advance for the needs of each child. A strong sense of participation and belonging promotes a very inclusive service where a 'can do' attitude is promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is proactive in ensuring children remain healthy and understand the benefits of a healthy life style. She provides a well balanced nutritious range of food and has robust policies and procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise crossing the road safely and do not unfasten seat belts in the car until the childminder tells them it is safe to do so. Children feel good about themselves and behave well towards each other. The childminder acts as a good role model listening attentively and speaking with respect. She uses positive methods to manage behaviour and distracts younger children swiftly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The relationship between the childminder and children is very warm and caring. They are very happy, content and show lots of pleasure, laughing, giggling, smiling, snuggling and inviting the childminder into their play. They participate eagerly because the childminder knows how to engage their interest and provides challenging activities. Such as, planting sunflower seeds, making fruit kebabs, building dens, painting on canvas and growing cress in patterns. They are eager to participate and feel nurtured and highly valued. The childminder encourages children to develop their own learning skills as she supports them to build upon what they all ready know and can do. She encourages them to make choices and to pursue their interests. For example, children bring new toys from home and ask This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to play with the dollies accessories. The childminder changes her plans to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

accommodate this. The observation and assessment records are of good quality and are just beginning to be linked to the six areas of learning and in some instances the child's next steps are recorded. But the link between observations and short term planning is in its infancy and does not clearly evidence how the themes on the medium term plans are tailored to deliver personalised learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Babies have a strong impulse to investigate and explore the dollies accessories. They show excitement at the combs, brushes, dummies and bottles for the dollies. They comb their own hair, give the dolly a bottle and rock her back and forth to put her to sleep. Young children count four bricks with the childminder, identify the colours blue, red and yellow correctly and sort them into colour coded piles, when the bricks are all over the floor they describe them as 'lots of bricks now'. The older children in the early year's age group twist and turn lids on containers to open them and undo the zip on a bag skilfully. They recall significant events, such as visits to the farm and what happened when they painted their hands and rubbed them together to make a new colour. As a result of the positive experiences they are receiving at the childminder's the children are making good progress in their learning. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder's. 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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.

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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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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

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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.

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