Childminder in Derbyshire

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 EY301033 Inspection date 12/05/2009 Inspector Zoe Smith

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and their children who are aged ten and 12 years in the Glossop district of Derbyshire. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor and participate in physical and outdoor play activities in the enclosed rear garden. The family have a pet dog and a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and nurseries.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses her good knowledge of individual children, their interests and abilities to successfully promote their welfare and learning. Partnerships with parents and other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings are well developed and effective in ensuring children's individual needs are well met. Children are making good progress in their learning and development given their starting points and capabilities. Self-evaluation is used well to bring about continuous improvements and to ensure the needs of children and their parents are met. Every child is valued for their individuality and positive steps are taken to help children find out about diversity.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the arrangements for planning to ensure plans assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet children's individual needs  develop the opportunities for children to seek to do things for themselves, knowing that an adult is close by, ready to support and help if needed, for example by allowing children to pour their own drinks and serve their own food.

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provision

The childminder has a strong commitment to continually improving her practice. Questionnaires are used to ascertain the opinions of children and their parents and to help the childminder tailor the service to meet their requirements. The childminder has taken positive steps to develop her practice and address issues raised at the last inspection. For example, written parental permission to seek This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 emergency treatment and medical advice has been obtained. This ensures children’s health needs are always given priority. Regular attendance on short courses and training leading to a recognised Level 3 childcare qualification is instrumental in giving the childminder the skills to drive forward planned improvements. A wide range of clear and well-written policies and procedures have been formalised to ensure the welfare requirements are met. These effectively

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provision

underpin the childminder’s practice and keep parents informed about the care provided.

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provision

Children are kept safe and protected because the childminder is well trained in safeguarding issues and procedures. She has a good understanding of the steps to take should she have concerns about a child’s wellbeing. Risk assessments have been conducted on the premises and for all the outings children are taken on. Children are kept safe because they are well supervised and effective safety precautions have been put in place. Children benefit from the positive partnership that has been fostered with their parents. Verbal discussions, notices, development records and daily diaries actively involve parents in their children’s care and learning. This ensures children are treated as individuals and their specific needs are well met. Proactive partnerships have been fostered with other EYFS settings children attend. This provides coherence in the children’s care and learning and enables the childminder to complement, extend and reinforce what children do at

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The progress children make in their learning and development is effectively monitored and recorded. By working with parents the childminder is able to identify children’s starting points to help her plan for their interests and next steps. Observations are used well to continually assess and plan for the next steps in children's learning. The childminding day is mostly well planned and ensures a very good balance of adult and child led activities across the six areas of learning. However, the childminder has worked with several childminders to devise long term plans linked to themes to use as a guidance tool and these plans do not necessarily reflect the interests and learning needs of the children in her care. Nevertheless the childminder predominately plans very well for individual children by using weekly plans that she has designed around children's specific interests and abilities. The childminder is skilful at extending children's learning through

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

talking with and listening to them, whilst introducing and reinforcing new vocabulary and concepts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a love of books and enjoy snuggling up on the childminder's knee to listen to stories. They happily listen to stories about pirates before playing imaginatively with boats in the water. Children know that print has meaning and are beginning to develop the skills they need to make recognisable marks. They enjoy using toy vehicles and sticks to make recognisable marks in sand and couscous. Children have good opportunities to problem solve and reason. They eagerly count how many puddles they can find to splash in and explore the contents of a feely bag to see if they can recognise objects through touch. Children have good opportunities to develop their creativity through a wide variety of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities, such as play dough, paint, sand, water, sticking and cutting. They happily use a variety of tools as they dig and build using sand. Babies enjoy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

exploring the contents of treasure baskets and relish the feel of the seashells.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have well developed imaginations and quickly become engrossed in their make believe play. They enjoy playing in the outdoor play house and improvise by using props to support their play. Children happily plan their journey to Ireland as they sit on chairs and use a bicycle wheel as a steering wheel. Children have very good opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. They have enjoyed making a wormery to observe the behaviour of worms. Children participate in a good range of activities that are designed to help then become involved in and learn about their local community such as visits to libraries, school assemblies, shows, family days and toddler groups. They had great fun playing in a tent and exploring and experimenting using torches, glow sticks and flashing lights. Children’s physical development is promoted through a good range of activities. They enjoy playing in the garden, walks round the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive steps the childminder takes to acknowledge, respect and value them as individuals. Babies feel secure and enjoy continuity in their care because their home routines are followed. They join in lots of activities that are designed to help them to find out about faith and to value and respect difference. Children participated in egg hunts and made cards at Easter and they made lanterns for Diwali. Children have access to a good range of books and resources that promote positive images of culture, disability, and gender. They have some opportunities to develop self help and independence skills when they manage their own personal care and choose how to spend their time. However, at mealtimes opportunities are not used to their full potential to promote the development of self help and independence skills. Children's good health and safety is promoted though discussions, activities and effective practice. They enjoy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

planting, tending and growing vegetables and then tasting them. Children discuss road safety on their outings and learn how to cross roads safely because of the good example set by the childminder. 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? 2 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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