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 EY306790 Inspection date 04/03/2009 Inspector Clare 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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children, aged six and 11 years, in Tattershall, Lincolnshire. The whole of the childminder’s house, apart from her children's bedrooms, is used for childminding and this comprises of lounge, dining room, kitchen, upstairs bathroom and the childminder's bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The property is accessed via a step to the front door. The house is within walking distance of the local school and pre-school, park and shops and the childminder takes children to local mother and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 and there are currently three children on roll. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are no children currently attending that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities or for whom English is an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she receives support from the local authority. The family have two dogs and a gerbil as pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is providing effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children's individual needs are met as the childminder gets to know them well and recognises that every child is unique. Children are making good progress in their learning and development and their welfare is promoted. The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers to meet children's needs. She is building relationships with practitioners at the local pre school to further support children. The systems of self-evaluation used by the childminder are effective in helping her to highlight areas for improvement and she generally takes action to address these areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the accident record is always shared with parents  develop the systems of observation and assessment further to ensure children are making progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning and use the observations and assessments to inform future planning based on children's interests and their age and stage of development.

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provision

The childminder organises her setting well. She keeps her documentation well organised and is always looking for ideas to develop the documents she uses. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has recently completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She has found this a useful exercise in highlighting areas that she has particular strengths in and areas that need some development. This has enabled her to focus her plan for development. She is committed to providing a high-quality service for the children she minds. She thoroughly enjoys childminding and sees it as her profession. The childminder is keen to undertake training to develop her knowledge and skills, however, due to personal circumstances she has not always been able to access the training she would have liked to. She has plans in place to address this over the coming months. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of her

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provision

premises and this, combined with her vigilant supervision of the children, keeps them safe. The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. She has developed different ways to communicate with parents about their children based on their needs, for example, for some children she completes a daily diary and for others she send emails with the information on to the parents. She has asked parents for their feedback through a questionnaire and they all comment very positively. She is developing partnerships with practitioners at the local pre- school and school, as she sees the benefits to children from these partnerships.

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provision

Good progress has been made since the last inspection. The childminder has taken on board the recommendations made. She was asked to ensure all accidents and existing injuries are recorded regardless of how minor and she now ensures this is done. She has explained to parents why this is necessary. She was asked to increase the range of resources that promote positive images of diversity and continue to develop the behaviour management policy to reflect the strategies used to manage a wide range of behaviour with all ages and stages of children. The childminder has implemented a policy which is based on her practice and has obtained resources such as books, 'small-world' play, dolls and dressing-up clothes to support children's understanding of the wider world. She also displays pictures on the walls that positively reflect diversity. The childminder was also asked to maintain a complaints log in which all complaints and action taken can be

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provision

recorded. She has implemented this, however, it needs updating to reflect the statutory framework for the EYFS.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning and developing well with the childminder. The childminder provides activities for the children at home as well as taking them to many local groups, such as mother and toddlers, arts and crafts group, Gym Tots and the library. They also play in her garden and they have daily walks to and from pre- school and school. When at home they enjoy craft activities such as making sheep from paper plates and tissue paper. The childminder supports them where required but enables them to be creative and use their imaginations. Older children help younger children and this is helping them to build relationships with each other. The childminder praises children's efforts and this is helping to foster their self- esteem. Children behave well with the childminder and she is a good role model to them as she uses manners and helps them to understand between right and wrong. The childminder has a good range of resources that she allows the children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to choose freely from. She has started to make observations of the children and assess what they are achieving in relation to the early learning goals, however, this This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 system has not been fully effective as it does not always clearly chart individual children's progress along the EYFS. The childminder is aware of this and is seeking support to improve what she is doing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder. They are safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities regarding child protection. She has good information to hand that she could refer to if required and parents are provided with her policies and procedures. She has identified that she would like additional training in this area. The childminder's home is safe and secure and she has made it child friendly and welcoming. Children's health is promoted by the childminder. She provides them with healthy snacks and encourages parents to provide healthy foods for meal times. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They help themselves to wet-wipes if they want to wipe their hands when they have been taking part in arts and crafts. The childminder's home is clean and she observes good hygiene practices when preparing food and changing nappies. The childminder has recently brought two

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

new puppies into the home. She is very careful to keep them away from the children during the day whilst they are training. She checks the garden for mess before the children are allowed out to play and door gates enable her to keep the dogs separate from the children. The childminder has informed parents about the dogs and will gradually introduce them to the children as they are ready. The children enjoy watching the playful pups through the window and when they are in the kitchen and are looking forward to when they can play with them. 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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