Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 EY373820 Inspection date 01/07/2009 Inspector Ros Church

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives her husband who is also a registered childminder and their two children in a village to the east of Leicester. The ground floor and lower-ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is within walking distance of the local school. The family has a cat and chickens.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for children before and after school and within the school holidays.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's and make positive and secure relationships. The childminder organises her home very well to provide a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment. Children take part in a wide range of activities and develop positive attitudes towards learning. She has a good understanding of how to ensure that all children feel included, secure and valued. The childminder has a positive attitude towards maintaining continuous improvement and has systems in place to evaluate her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observations to help assess the progress which children are making and use to identify and plan activities which promote their next steps in learning.

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provision

The childminder ensures children's welfare; care and safety are promoted well. A good range of policies and procedures are in place to safeguard the children; thorough risk assessments are carried out by the childminder where hazards are identified and areas made safe. Children are supervised well, the childminder takes account of their stage of development to allow them freedom to discover and learn safely. Regular fire drills are carried out to ensure children know what to do in the event of a fire. The childminder has well-organised and clear documentation which is used effectively in order to promote the welfare of children. A good range of policies and procedures are in place which underpins the good care provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder works well with the parents and carers; she offers a flexible and caring provision and shares written information with the parents so that they feel

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provision

reassured. The childminder gathers information from parents about their child before they start so that she knows their individual interests and needs. Noticeboards are used to display documentation, this includes the certificate of registration and other information such as activities and meals provided. The childminder shares information on children's learning with the parents and develops links with other settings who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), this helps to ensure continuity and progression in children's care and learning.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improvement and providing a good quality service to children and their parents. She has begun to develop systems to help her monitor and evaluate her practice, for example, she values both verbal and written feedback from the parents and children and she has provided them with written questionnaires.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy; they make good relationships and have fun together. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual interests which she is able to effectively support because she provides a good range of activities and challenging experiences for them. The home is well organised and provides good space for the children to be involved in a wide range of different experiences. For example, the play rooms are set out with a large variety of resources to encourage children's choice and independence, this includes a games room with table football and hockey, large construction materials enabling children to create and design their own furniture and other large items. An art and craft room with a wide range of textures and materials enables children to be creative and use their imagination and within the club room, children access a wide range of games, books, electronic toys and puzzles. The enclosed rear garden has been landscaped to provide very

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

good opportunities for children to explore the different paths and areas, learn about growing plants and vegetables, and to be involved in a broad range of games and activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's language and communication skills are promoted well as the childminder takes time to listen and have conversations with them. Their social skills are encouraged well as they learn about responsible behaviour; they share equipment, take turns and are kind to each other because the childminder is consistent and promotes positive behaviour. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued; she consistently praises their efforts, which enhances children's self-esteem and confidence. The childminder observes children's development, however, observations are not fully developed to help assess the progress children are making and to identify and plan activities which promote their next steps in learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep themselves healthy because the childminder has highly effective procedures in place. They know why they need to wash their hands after This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 using the toilet and before eating, each child has their own towel which is identified by a colour and ribbon of their choice and wash bag which they have made individual to themselves by design. Children learn about eating healthily; they learn to grow and harvest their own vegetables and then help to prepare these for tea. Meal times are social occasions when all children sit together at the table and talk about their day at school. This provides very good opportunities for children to listen, respect and value one another. Children can access drinks as they require from the water dispenser. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise as they join in with a wide variety of activities within the garden. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop an awareness of safety issues and how to keep themselves safe; the 'school run' provides very good opportunities for them to learn about road safety. Children learn how to set up activities and use equipment safely. 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? 2

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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? 1 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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