Childminder in North East 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 EY231499 Inspection date 08/06/2009 Inspector Gill Ogden

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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her adult son in Cleethorpes, North Lincolnshire. All the ground floor of their home, the bathroom and the back bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed side garden for outdoor play. The home is not accessible for children who have physical disabilities. A variety of amenities are within walking distance and the childminder also uses her car to transport children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after four children, two of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well-known to the childminder and she works closely with parents to ensure their well-being. Systems are in place to help each child make progress in their learning within the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder considers the service she provides and has made improvements since the last inspection and has some plans in place for further changes.

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further?

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

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further?

 involve parents more in identifying learning priorities and planning relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child especially when the child first starts to attend  review the organisation of the playroom to promote children's independence in accessing resources and to allow them to initiate their own play more freely  establish a clear system for self-evaluation to fully ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 22/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

All the required records are in place except for the risk assessment record. However, the childminder is vigilant about keeping children safe so this has little direct impact on them. Policies and procedures are in writing and parents have their own copies which ensures that they are clear about the boundaries of the service offered. Children are safeguarded well because the childminder thoroughly understands her child protection responsibilities and shares this information with parents. Since the last inspection the childminder has completed a relevant early years qualification course which she has found very beneficial to her work. She has also attended workshops on heuristic play and fire safety which demonstrates commitment to improving her practice. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been noted and acted on resulting in the childminder now holding a current first aid certificate, more resources being available to children that help

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provision

them understand diversity and better information being to hand to ensure children's safety. The childminder also has plans to improve outdoor provision for the children and is working on the garden at the side of her home to provide a better outdoor play space for them. However, there is no clear system in place for ongoing self-evaluation to ensure continuous improvement.

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provision

The childminder has developed good working relationships with parents in the best interests of their children and is also very supportive to them in such ways as picking children up from their own homes. Verbal information is shared regularly with them when children are dropped off and picked up and the childminder also keeps diaries for each of the children which contribute further to effective information sharing. No other providers are currently involved with any of the children in the early years age range that the childminder looks after.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, clean and cosy home where their welfare needs are considered well. A variety of safety equipment is in place such as chains on external doors, a stair gate and smoke alarms which contribute effectively towards keeping children safe. At the moment the garden is not being used because the childminder considers it is not safe whilst some alterations are being done. Children demonstrate their growing awareness of road safety when they recall the meaning of the different coloured traffic lights and they respond well when the childminder carries out fire drills. Regular trips to the beach also help them develop an awareness of the dangers of the sea. Packed meals are provided by parents for the children so the childminder usually only gives them drinks and snacks such as toast or fruit. The younger children are well-supported to learn to use the toilet and nappies are changed with regard to privacy. Children gradually understand the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

need for good personal hygiene habits which helps to minimise the opportunities for cross-infection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to learn and achieve because the childminder plans activities according to their interests. She offers them options for key activities which usually include outings and is prepared to take up whichever one they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suggest. For example, they decide to go 'crabbing', which they enjoy immensely, and the childminder talks to them about what they will need to do in the form of preparation, such as, buying bacon for bait, making sure they have weights for the line and a big bucket to collect the crabs in before they put them back in the water. The children are fully engaged in preparing for an activity that encourages them to concentrate, gain an understanding of their local and natural world, offers opportunities for problem solving and conversation and helps them to develop their physical skills. A range of toys, resources and play equipment are available, mostly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

stored in the playroom, which the children use for self-initiated play. However, although the childminder gets children whatever they ask for, because of the way items are stored children cannot always independently access the things they want which prevents them from being fully in control of some of their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's achievements are noted by the childminder and she is gradually implementing a system which acts as a framework for her to assess children's progress against the early learning goals and help her to identify their next steps as a result of this. She discusses children's abilities with parents but as yet is not involving them fully enough in their children's learning, especially to establish their starting points when the children first begin to attend. On the whole, children are encouraged to develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners, their own needs, and those of others. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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: 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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