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 EY368435 Inspection date 12/05/2009 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three years and eight months. The family live in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. The premises is accessible and there are stairs leading to the first floor. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time; one of these can be within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group and attend on a part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder is very friendly to visitors and warm towards the children. Her home is very clean and she maintains resources in good condition. She has some understanding of the EYFS and she suitably promotes children's welfare and learning. As a result children are making satisfactory progress. She is developing her systems of planning, observation assessments of the children's learning. She suitably promotes inclusion and is in the very early stages of looking at the setting's strengths and weaknesses in order to improve practice. Children's safety is being considered in most areas and written documentation is satisfactorily maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider further the setting's strengths and weakness's in order to maintain continous improvements  develop further the assessments of children's learning in order to clearly identify their next steps  increase knowledge and understanding of local safeguarding procedures and update information supplied to parents to reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has adequate understanding of the need to reflect on her service and is in the very early stages of beginning to consider her strengths and weaknesses. For example, she recognises she needs to develop her systems of planning, observation and assessment to help the children reach their full potential. However, as the process of self-evaluation is not securely developed, this impacts upon the capacity to improve. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has devised some detailed records, policies and procedures to promote the safe and efficient management of the provision. Most required documentation is in place and some is appropriately maintained. However, the local safeguarding children's policy refers to the National Standards. This means that parents are not always provided with up-to-date information. The childminder supervises the children well and has measures in place to ensure their safety when

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provision

they are out on trips. All adult members of the household have completed appropriate vetting procedures, which enhances the safety of the children. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, her knowledge and understanding of procedures to be followed in the event of a concern is not fully secure. This may potentially put children's welfare at risk. The childminder works generally closely and cooperatively with parents. She makes time at the start and end of the day to talk with them about their child and also provides written diaries detailing their care, such as food they have eaten, sleep times and activities they have been involved in. As a result, this provides them with consistency of care. At the onset of placement she finds out about their likes, dislikes and general routines. She has a very pleasant, caring nature and makes all children and visitors feel welcome in her home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. She provides them with hands-on experiences, such as creative activities, which they clearly enjoy. She supports them at appropriate times to extend their knowledge and understanding by joining in with their play. For example, she shows an interest in what they have to say and suggests ways they to look after their dolls during role play. As a result, children are making suitable progress in their learning. She is in the process of developing her systems of planning, observation and assessments. However, assessments that are made do not necessarily always show what children have achieved or have not achieved. Therefore, this impacts upon identifying their future learning needs. Consequently, this may mean children are potentially not making as much progress as they could. That said, the childminder has a very positive attitude towards improving her

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

assessments and is keen to access support from her local early years team.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy in the childminder's care. She recognises and treats the children and their families as individuals and sufficiently promotes inclusion. Children are learning about their own personal hygiene and their general health is promoted. This is because the childminder takes up some training offered by the local authority which generally supports her in keeping her child care skills up-to- date, for example, first aid. This means she can act appropriately in the event of an accident to one of the children in her care. She also records their medical information and emergency contacts on the back of a recent photograph of each of the children. This is stored in her home and taken in her first aid case when they go out and about. This positively impacts on their safety in the event of an emergency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about keeping safe when they are near roads and she makes sure young This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children cannot access toys with very small accessories.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Problem solving number and reasoning are being promoted well in this setting. Children participate in conversations using number and compare shapes and size. For example, the children completed a number of drawings on a long sheet of paper which was then used to find out which was the tallest, the paper or the child. They are also learning about early skills in calculation, as when they ask for more biscuits, they are encouraged to add up how many they have already had. For example, the childminder says 'you have already had one, two', demonstrating number with her fingers, 'and if you have one more that will make three', explaining to the children that is a big number of biscuits and 'too many for their tummies'. 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: Met

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