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 EY298196 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in a village on the south side of Lincoln, Lincolnshire. All areas of the ground floor are available for childminding, with bathroom facilities located on the first floor. The family has no pets.

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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 is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. There are currently four children on roll, one of whom is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also provides care for older children and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a recognised Level 4 early years qualification and 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. The needs of all children are routinely met because the childminder understands, supports and promotes the individuality of each child. Children's welfare is promoted through some mainly good practices and procedures. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, where they have fun in the relaxed, informal setting. Partnerships in the wider context have yet to be fully developed, to ensure children are making effective progress in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder is beginning to use a system of self-evaluation to monitor her setting, however, changes have yet to be made to fully ensure continuous improvement for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop better links with other providers who are involved with the children to fully promote the continuity of their care and learning  develop further the system of self-evaluation to develop a clearer culture of reflective practice, ensuring steps are taken when targets for improvement are identified 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?

 obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 07/07/2009  develop a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review of incident 07/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Documentation) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register).

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provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming home, where space, toys and resources are organised well to create an accessible environment. The childminder ensures children are supervised at all times to help protect them from potential harm. She also maintains a current first aid certificate and has developed her own knowledge by completing a Level 4 qualification within childcare to help promote children's welfare. The childminder generally maintains appropriate policies, procedures and records for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS and to ensure that the needs of all children are met. However, although steps have been taken to minimise potential hazards within the home and on outings, a full record of these risk assessment checks has not been completed to fully ensure children's safety is not compromised. Also, permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not been completed for all children, to ensure their well-being is fully

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provision

The childminder strives to make improvements to the quality of care and learning experiences provided for all children. She has developed her practice by ensuring the attendance register is now completed appropriately, ensuring the recommendation raised at the last inspection has been met. She is also beginning to monitor her practice through using a system of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and targets for further development. The process is relatively new, so the childminder has yet to implement the changes she has identified to ensure children fully benefit from improved practice. The childminder gathers very clear information from parents and carers from the outset and she has effective systems in place to maintain current information on each child. This ensures the childminder values and understands each child's beliefs and backgrounds, ensuring their specific needs are met. However, the childminder has yet to develop links

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provision

with other providers who also provide care for the children, to fully ensure an integrated approach to their care and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure home, where appropriate steps are taken to ensure their well-being is maintained. For example, the childminder has a generally good understanding of child protection procedures, which helps to safeguard children. The clean, well-maintained home, where appropriate hygiene practices are implemented, promotes children's health. The childminder also minimises the risk of the spread of infection by not providing care for children when they are suffering from contagious illnesses. Regular trips to the park provide children with opportunities to be active and develop their physical skills. The provision of healthy snacks and regular drinks, further promotes children's well-being. Appropriate discussions, activities and play experiences help children to learn about protecting their own health and safety. Children relate well to each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

other, playing co-operatively and forming friendships with their peers. They are settled and secure in the childminder's care, showing confidence in their surroundings. Their behaviour is generally good, because the childminder uses positive behaviour management techniques and sets appropriate rules for children to abide by. Children learn to value and respect others through the childminder acting as a positive role model. This helps children to develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to be good learners, to meet their needs and those of others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and they have fun playing with their friends in the relaxed, informal atmosphere. Toys and resources are stored to provide children with easy access, enabling them to freely initiate their own play. Children enjoy chatting to the childminder, who listens and values what they say. She also develops their conversational skills through asking questions during these informal chats. Children regularly enjoy colouring and drawing activities and their mathematical development is promoted through baking activities where they are encouraged to weigh or count the ingredients out. The childminder currently cares for children before and after school only, therefore, they receive their main learning and care at school. The childminder takes this into account and plans activities around children's interests and requests. However, the childminder has yet to develop links with the school to fully ensure she is complementing children's care and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning experiences, to enable children to make more effective progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder is aware of the requirement to fully develop observations and assessments if she begins caring for younger children, so she can support their learning and help them to achieve. 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 07/07/2009

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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 specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 07/07/2009

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