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 EY260016 Inspection date 09/04/2009 Inspector Sharon Waterfall

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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 has been registered since 2003 and lives with her father and her two young children. The family live in a detached house in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, within walking distance of the town centre, parks and schools. The ground floor of the home only is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Children have use of a playroom, sun room, lounge and kitchen area, with toilet facilities on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age and is currently caring for four children within the early years foundation stage. She also cares for children over eight years of age and is registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family have one pet cat and 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. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This ensures that children are provided with a range of activities that meet all areas of learning. Many hazards within the home have been identified through risk assessments, however, others remain which impact on children's safety. Information sharing with parents means that children's care needs are met. The childminder has some procedures in place to identify her strengths and weaknesses in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 use information from observations and assessments to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress, match those expectations to the early learning goals and involve parents in the processes.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken and has particular regard to the risks associated with the steps and differing levels in the garden, the accessibility of the stairs, the hanging water hose, security of the premises at all times (Documentation) 30/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has sufficient knowledge to identify those who are at risk of harm. She is aware of the procedures of reporting these concerns to relevant agencies and has local contact numbers easily accessible. A risk assessment has been completed for the premises and has identified and minimised many hazards, however, some were identified during the inspection. These relate to steps in the garden area that separate two levels, young children's safety when playing in this area whilst the childminder attends to meals, the stairs being accessible to young children, the water hose hanging down and to ensuring the premises are always secure. The risk assessment is not dated and reviewed and these issues impact on children's overall safety.

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provision

The premises are organised well to support children's play; there is a dedicated playroom with resources that are easily accessible to the children. Most play takes place in this area and through into the sun room, which then leads out to the garden. The premises have been adapted through evaluating the needs of the children for quiet and active areas for play, which has a positive impact on children's independence. Other areas identified for improvement include the observation and assessment procedures and ongoing training in childcare practices.

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provision

The childminder has systems in place to build relationships with children's parents at the onset of care. She spends time with them discussing the children's daily care needs and their routine, along with the policies and procedures. This helps to provide them with consistency of care. However, she does not work sufficiently well in partnership with parents and carers to promote their individual learning. This is because she does not ask parents about their children's starting points on entry and, although she is beginning to observe and make assessments of the children's learning, parents are not included in these processes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

During the inspection the childminder had good interaction with the younger children, she is very positive and spends time directly with the children as they sit on her lap and involve her in their play. The children are confident in moving around the space, with older children requesting a children's television programme and then returning to a construction activity started earlier in the day. The children are appropriately engaged and the childminder suggests activities when the children tire with what they are doing. The environment is organised so that children can access toys and activities appropriate to their age, enabling them to make decisions about their own play. She provides toys and resources that are in good, clean condition and some of which relate to the children's interests. A few resources are provided which provide positive images of race and disability and some festivals are discussed with the children. The childminder demonstrates

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

adequate awareness of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has begun to record children's progress very briefly, but is not yet using this information effectively to plan children's next steps in learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder uses her knowledge of how young children learn to promote their language and communication. For example, she looks at books with the younger children, naming objects for them to repeat the words. She shares conversation with them and asks them questions that relate to their age and stage of learning. Whilst doing many activities the children count items, such as the cars when they are walking, balls in the garden and sing number rhymes. Simple measuring takes place when the children bake cakes and biscuits. Their knowledge about the world is developed as they enjoy nature walks and observe the birds they feed in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

garden. The children enjoy making creative items such as rice filled musical shakers, painting pictures, making decorations and exploring mark-making through drawings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have many opportunities for active and physical play in the well- resourced garden. Large physical equipment is available to them, with a range of smaller activities; they also enjoy walks locally and use physical computer games competitively. The childminder has necessary documentation in place to use in the event of an accident and for the administration of medication. She promotes steps to prevent the spread of infection, for example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Generally the children behave well as they are able to follow their own play ideas. At times though, the childminder uses gentle reminders about sharing resources or having time for individual play. All children are included in the activities and resources are provided that meet their varying age and stage needs. Activities at a local children's centre enhance their play opportunities as they learn about the importance of brushing their teeth and for Halloween had to find the spiders in the jelly. 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? 2 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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