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 207348 Inspection date 01/05/2009 Inspector Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom

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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 registered in 1995 and lives in a first floor apartment in a residential area close to the town centre of Buxton. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years when working with an assistant, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age group. When working alone she may care for no more than five children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently 11 children on roll, of these, six are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This provision is registered by Ofsted on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children are cared for in the lounge and dining area and a bedroom. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are available, although access to the kitchen is restricted to older children. There is a rear garden which is shared with other residents to the building.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder clearly recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures that all children are included. She promotes high standards of care and most aspects of children's welfare are well met. Relationships with parents are extremely warm and friendly with information shared daily about the children's routines, and links with the local nursery are strong and effective. The childminder is at the beginning of a self-evaluation process, and the individual assessments of children's progress although detailed are not necessarily linked to the areas of learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis including outings and in particular outdoor play space  continue to develop systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles  identify learning priorities for each child and match the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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provision

The children are happy and settled as the childminder provides a warm and inclusive environment. She uses her knowledge of the children to organise activities which challenge their thinking and motivate them to learn. The childminder has undertaken numerous training courses to prepare for the EYFS This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and has sought the support of the local authority early years worker to improve her confidence in its delivery and identify further areas of development.

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provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns. She supervises children well and their safety is promoted in a number of ways, for example, from an early age they are taught how to climb off furniture as toddlers or how to walk up and down steps. The risk assessment, however, is limited as it does not contain sufficient detail to be effective, particularly with regards to the outdoors. For example, it does not make reference to a number of obvious potential hazards such as access to the home or the shared garden and unenclosed play areas.

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provision

The childminder works hard in providing a warm and effective partnership with parents. She offers a flexible, responsive and supportive service to meet the needs of the families. The childminder discusses with parents the relevant policies and procedures, although some are brief in their content, and she ensures they are discussed and agreed fully prior to placement. She places great emphasis upon the importance of a welcoming atmosphere and time given to share information personally. Close links with the local nursery and the use of daily diaries ensure parents and others involved in children's care are fully included.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing a secure understanding of the framework and her delivery of all six areas of learning was evident throughout the inspection. However, how she links this to children's records of achievement is less evident as she is still in the early stages of recording and planning for children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is generally well promoted as the childminder places great importance upon sufficient daily sleep, exercise and fresh air to promote healthy appetites, reduce accidents and promote overall development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Promoting children's personal, social and emotional development is a key strength of the childminder. Children are very happy to come to the childminder's home and relish the time they spend with her, to the extent that some are often reluctant to leave. Her warm and welcoming approach to finding opportunities to give encouragement helps develop their autonomy and a disposition to learn. The childminder has a strong genuine bond with the all children, this is particularly evident with younger children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder values all children's early language; she tunes in to the different messages the babies are trying to convey. Therefore, younger children take great pleasure in making and listening to a wide variety of sounds as they carry out early conversations with her. Older pre-school children are supported in their early reading and literacy skills as they sit together with the childminder and read stories. Good opportunities are also provided for some children to link sounds to letters as the childminder works closely with the nursery that children are currently attending in order to support individual learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are positively encouraged to explore and investigate as the childminder is quick to respond to or introduce resources which can build upon children's particular interests. For example, the small free standing mirror added to the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

toddlers' interests as they each made funny faces into it having previously just grinned at each other. The introduction of small containers to collect flora and fauna from the garden ensure that older children can take their time in looking at their 'finds'. Such sensitive intervention sustains and extends children's interests and so their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and from a young age they are encouraged to show kindness and concern for their peers. For example, a toddler was quick to 'shush' the inspector as they placed their finger over their lips to remind everyone the baby was sleeping.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is careful to promote and extend children's learning through everyday activities, for example, counting out the grapes at snack time allows younger children to develop a sense of number as they carefully follow the childminder's fingers with theirs as each one is placed in front of them. They are able to make links in their learning when they are offered 'more' grapes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the outdoors to support children's learning and development. In the garden they use their imaginations to construct dens or take part in more active play in the local park where there is lots of fixed equipment to challenge them. Their understanding of the wider world is made meaningful to children, for example, in caring for the pet rabbit they learn what they need to keep them healthy as they recognise and collect dandelion leaves for them. More exotic pets are seen at the pet shop where children were fascinated in particular with the reptiles and snakes. 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? 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? 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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