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 225489 Inspection date 16/06/2009 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

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 1993. She lives with her husband and two daughters in a village near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Most areas of the home are used for childminding, toilet facilities are on both floors. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 11 children on roll, five of whom are under five years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The needs of all children are exceptionally well met in a very child-focussed and stimulating environment. Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder plans and provides an excellent range of activities which meet their individual needs. The childminder promotes a highly inclusive provision, ensuring that all children and their families feel valued. The childminder is enthusiastic and fully committed to continually monitoring, evaluating and maintaining a high quality childcare service and has very effective systems in place to ensure she is able carry this out.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop further the information shared with parents with regards to children's starting points in their learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has very effective systems in place for monitoring and evaluating her provision, this ensures that a high quality service is provided which benefits both the children and their families. She has attended a wide variety of training workshops and courses to update and refresh her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues and practices. After each course she completes an action plan to help her reflect on what she has learnt and how she will implement this into her practice. The childminder has excellent self-evaluation systems which include obtaining both written and verbal views of both the parents and children, then evaluating and drawing up action plans to make improvements.

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provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a very clear knowledge of relevant procedures and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has an excellent awareness of safety issues and is extremely vigilant in her supervision of the children. Thorough risk assessments and daily safety checks are carried out and as a result, children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment where possible hazards both inside and outside have been identified and minimised. Documentation and record keeping are exemplary. A wealth of written policies are in place which are highly reflective of the quality care offered and effectively support children's care and safety.

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provision

The childminder works in close partnership with the parents to ensure continuity of care and education are offered. Detailed information is obtained from parents when a child starts regarding children's care requirements, however, limited information is obtained on the areas of learning and development. Each child has a detailed development folder which is attractively presented and shared with the parents. The childminder is developing additional ways to encourage parents to contribute to children's learning. The entrance area provides parents with very good information on the excellent service the childminder offers, this includes the weekly meal menu, policies and procedures, and a board which contains 'WOW' moments which are special achievements children have made.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans and provides an excellent range of activities both indoors, outdoors and within the local area to thoroughly engage children's personal interests and which helps them to make considerable progress in all areas of learning. The childminder knows all the children extremely well. She has effective systems in place to monitor children's progress, she uses her observations to assess what children can do and to identify their next steps in learning. She uses this information to effectively support their learning through providing appropriate and exciting activities and experiences for each individual child. The children are highly engrossed in activities and are eager to learn, this is because the environment is well-organised and resourced and very stimulating. The childminder interacts enthusiastically with the children, she promotes their language and communication skills through asking them questions and engaging them in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

conversation. They are very confident in practical problem solving and use mathematical language within their play such as when they build up brick towers and compare the sizes. They enjoy very good opportunities to use all their senses and explore the world around them. For example, they learn to grow different plants such as herbs and vegetables and they compare the shapes, sizes and patterns of natural objects such as stones. They explore a good variety of musical instruments and learn about the different sounds made by each one.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health and welfare is promoted exceedingly well. They learn about the importance of being healthy as the childminder is an excellent role model, educating children on effective hygiene practices. Children learn about eating healthily, whilst having healthy meals and snacks and during an excellent range of activities which further promotes their understanding. For example, children have made their own place mats which include pictures of different fruit and vegetables, they grow and harvest their own fruit and vegetables within the garden and help with the preparation of meals such as making sandwiches or mixing ingredients to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make scrambled egg. As well as developing children's understanding of healthy eating these activities also promote their learning in a variety of other areas. The childminder plans and provides a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor physical

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities to extend balance, movement and coordination skills. Children learn to keep themselves safe through routine explanations and planned activities, for example, at snack time they learn to cut up fruit carefully such as bananas and during outings they learn about road safety. Effective records of any accidents and the administration of medication are maintained which safeguards children's welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very comfortable and settled within the childminder's care and have developed warm and positive relationships. Their sense of belonging is promoted exceptionally well within the home as they have very good opportunities to make choices within their play as equipment is well organised and accessible, with further opportunities for them to make suggestions by recording these on the 'ideas tree'. Children learn to play cooperatively where they share and take turns with equipment and learn to be kind and helpful to others. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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