Childminder in Leicestershire

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 225957 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Susan Andrews

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and teenage son in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding 10 children all of whom attend on a part- time basis and four of these are within the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

Schools, parks, shops and places of interest are within easy walking or driving distance. The family has two cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder recognizes that all children are individuals and promote inclusive practice for all, providing a warm, welcoming and safe environment for children. Their welfare and development are generally promoted as the childminder gets to know the children well, provides them with suitable range of activities and learning opportunities and foster's appropriate working relationships with parents. The childminder is in the early stages of monitoring and evaluating the service she provides and is taking steps to address some areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations and assessments systems, to more effectively identify children's starting points, their interests and individual learning needs and provide a range of challenging and enjoyable learning experiences to further enhance their progression through all areas of learning and development  extend the strategies used for self-assessment and reflective practice to identify strengths and priorities for ongoing development that will improve the provision for all children  ensure accident records contain sufficient detail with regard to the size and specific location of any wound, first aid applied and any follow-up checks that are made to check the change in children's condition.

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provision

The childminder has satisfactory systems in place to ensure most records, policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare. However, records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regarding children's accidents lack sufficient detail regarding the size and specific location of any wound, first aid applied and any follow up checks that are made to check the children's change in condition. Documentation is shared with parents when they place a child in her care. She provides a safe environment, assessing risks and ensuring good levels of supervision at all times. She recognizes the signs and symptoms of abuse and has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and reporting procedures, knowing what action to take if she has any concerns.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is familiar with children's individual needs and routines. Parents are kept informed through daily dialogue and are provided with relevant information regarding their children's daily care, the activities which they have been involved in during the day and of their achievements. The childminder has begun to use reflective practices to evaluate her service. She recognizes where she can make further improvements to benefit the children in her care and shows a commitment to develop her skills and knowledge.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's care and they develop warm and positive relationships. They move around confidently freely choosing toys and equipment from open shelving set out within the play area of the home. Consequently, there is an appropriate balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences. The childminder interact effectively with the children, listening to them, asking questions and engaging them in lively conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. For example, engaging with children in their imaginative play, pretending to 'drink cups of tea' and eat a dish of 'specially cooked pears'. She is sensitive to the needs, ages and abilities of children who require reassurance or help. For example, when washing their hands after using the toilet. Consequently, they feel secure and their confidence is promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well-behaved and the childminder is a good role model. For example, she always says 'please' and 'thank you' and expects the children to do the same in return. There are simple and sensible house rules so children know what is expected of them and children feel confident to express their own needs and feelings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children gain awareness of their own and the wider community through activities and a range of toys and equipment the reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. The childminder ensures opportunities to socialise with others are encouraged during a variety of outings, such as toddler groups or meeting with other childminders. All children are included and the childminder ensures no child is disadvantaged. Children extend their creativity through imaginative role-play such as pretending to 'bake a cake' or as they draw pictures and make collages. The childminder helps children make general progress through literacy and numeracy as they listen to stories and sing counting songs. For example, '1, 2, 3, 4, 5 once I caught a fish alive' . This helps them to learn to make sense of numbers and how to add and subtract. The children use construction toys, train tracks and building bricks to help develop their problem solving and decision

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making skills. However, although the childminder has a basic understanding of EYFS, children's general progression through the six areas of learning is not fully extended. This is because observation and assessment systems, to identify children starting points, individual learning needs and next steps, are only in the early stages of implementation. The childminder has identified this as a priority for ongoing improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides an environment where children are cared for play in safety. She has a sound awareness of child protection issues and minimises risks around the home, therefore children remain safe and free from harm. Security is appropriate and fire evacuation procedures are practised, so that children become familiar with procedures to be followed, should a real emergency occur. The childminder encourages children to be active and understands the benefit of physical activity. Children develop their physical skills as they played daily outside in the fresh air, in recreation areas or the safely enclosed garden using the climbing frame and trampoline. She adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene practices, that minimise the risk of cross-infection and she makes healthy choices about what children eat and drink. Children have free access to drinking water and they are encouraged to take on additional fluids during periods of hot weather or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

after physical exercise, so they remain well hydrated. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide parents with information regarding the complaints procedure and ensure copies are available on request. This also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. 31/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Take action as stated in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register 31/03/2009 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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