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 207358 Inspection date 03/06/2009 Inspector Sheena Gibson

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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 registered in 1985. She lives with her 16-year-old in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, close to local amenities. Access to the home is flat with a gravel driveway leading up to the door. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time. Currently there are five children on roll of whom three are in the early years age group. Children attend for various sessions. The family has a dog. 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 are safe, secure and enjoy their time in the setting. The childminder obtains sufficient information about the children to support their individual needs so that their welfare is generally well- promoted and they are able to feel valued within the setting; she has a suitable knowledge of how to support children's learning and so they make satisfactory progress. The childminder builds positive, informal relationships with parents to provide consistent support for children's welfare, but systems for information sharing are not totally in place in relation to children's learning and development. She has not yet fully considered systems to highlight areas for improvements that would benefit the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the planning of activities and opportunities offered to children to ensure that they are always provided with meaningful play that enables them to progress across all areas of learning  develop further methods for evaluating practice to identify the strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  expand opportunities for parents and other settings to be involved with children's learning and assessment.

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provision

The childminder has undertaken training that is relevant to her role. She shows an enthusiasm and commitment to caring for children. Systems for self-evaluation, however, are not fully effective and some weaker areas, which potentially have an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 impact upon children, have not been effectively addressed. The childminder has developed some effective procedures to ensure that children's welfare is supported. For example, she has in place a policy for safeguarding children and a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints. She maintains a clean home and has systems in place that minimise the risk of cross-infection such as a policy to exclude children for the period of time that they have a contagious illness. Children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times and learn the importance of good hygiene practice. They enjoy balanced and nutritious options

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provision

at meal and snack times, which helps to support their health. The childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if a child requires medication or has an accident.

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provision

Safety in the home environment is prioritised. The childminder carries out visual checks on the rooms used by children and checks toys as she takes them out. She has conducted a risk assessment of the premises, considering how hazards within the home and garden are minimised to fully promote children's safety. Suitable consideration is given to promoting children's safety when they are on outings, for example, through putting younger children into the pushchair with a harness. The childminder understands her role in relation to child protection to ensure that children are safeguarded.

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provision

Informal, positive relationships with parents results in a useful flow of communication. Parents are provided with beneficial information regarding the childminder's policies and procedures and in turn they share some information about their child. This maintains a cohesive approach to children's welfare. However, there are less opportunities for parents and other settings to be involved with the children's learning and assessment. Suitable organisation of the premises means that children are able to move freely within the indoor and outdoor areas promoting their independence. The childminder ensures that any toys and equipment used are of good quality, are age-appropriate and maintained in a clean condition.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with children and so they are comfortable in her care. Young children are encouraged to become active learners as the childminder organises the environment so that they investigate activities and resources independently. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development and so children make satisfactory progress. However, she is not always providing children with a fully balanced range of activities and opportunities across all of the six areas of learning as her knowledge of the different areas of learning is adequate but not strong. Therefore, children are not always offered meaningful play that enables them to maximise their progress across the different areas of learning. Because the childminder knows the children well she is able to offer activities and toys that they are interested in. Her positive interaction with children and ability to engage them in the activities results in them making

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a spacious area in which to move around and make play decisions. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They enjoy delving into the toy box; young children preferring to play with the lid because it makes a noise. They sit with the childminder and work out how to put a train track together. The trains are different sizes and they concentrate when she talks to them about which one will fit under the bridge, developing their problem solving skills. Children are confident and demonstrate their feelings with a smile or a noise. Younger children are developing early communication skills as the childminder encourages them to sound out words and uses everyday language such as 'please' to develop vocabulary further. Children have access to the garden where there is a range of equipment to challenge their skills. They also regularly take walks and visit the park, contributing to their health and physical

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to learn to be independent and also to make healthy choices in their lifestyle through, for example, talking with the childminder and also through trying different healthy foods. They learn to take care of themselves when out of the home through understanding road safety and how to behave appropriately when walking or at the park. 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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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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