Childminder in LincolnshireOfsted inspection, 15 May 2009

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 208740 Inspection date 15/05/2009 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children in a large detached house in Long Sutton, within walking distance of shops, schools and pre-schools. Children are mainly cared for on the ground floor of the house, with sleeping and toilet facilities provided in this area. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear and side of the house for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

She is registered to care for six children under eight years of age and currently cares for four children in the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family keep a guinea pig and fish as pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides an exciting range of activities that ensures children are actively engaged and develop from their own interests. She has a detailed knowledge of the children's learning styles and uses this effectively to support their individual progression. Relevant information is shared with parents to support a consistency of care, including written information for those with English as an additional language to enhance understanding. Self-evaluation systems have identified areas for improvement and some have been implemented sufficiently to have impacted positively on children's development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continually reappraise environments and activities to which children are exposed and make necessary adjustments to secure their safety at all times, with particular reference to the greenhouse and outdoor activities  use information gathered through observational assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress, match these to the expectations of the early learning goals and ensure parents are involved.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate knowledge of child protection issues, including identifying children at risk and awareness of correct reporting procedures. She assesses the safety of the home regularly and adapts aspects according to children's ages and stages of development, such as whether the safetygates on the stairs restrict access or cause hindrance. A record is made, signed and dated of the risks assessed inside, ensuring they are reviewed and continue to be effective. The greenhouse is securely fenced off but the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 entrance, although restricted by large foliage, is accessible to the children who particularly like to play hide and seek and therefore does not fully protect their overall safety. The children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions and gentle reminders, such as not throwing or kicking items indoors.

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provision

Daily practices and written procedures support their health and welfare as children identify their own flannels and towels and are supported sensitively in self care issues. All accidents and injuries are recorded and full details are shared with parents, permission to seek emergency medical treatment is obtained and medication records meet requirements.

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provision

Through the completion of a child care qualification, the childminder has begun to be more reflective of her own practice and has realistically identified areas for improvement. A range of written policies and procedures have been implemented demonstrating her commitment to providing quality care and evidencing her increased knowledge of childcare issues. She is aware that her written planning, observations and assessments are minimal but is positive about how to adapt and extend these to further support children's learning needs. The childminder is respectful of each child's individual cultural background and implements specific strategies to support the varying needs of the families, ensuring information is more easily accessible to them. This includes using resources that reflects children's linguistic diversity and supports all children in valuing differing home languages.

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provision

Secure relationships have been built with parents and systems are in place that ensure consistent information is shared to meet children's care needs. The childminder uses this information to support some aspects of their learning and development, such as carrying on activities and new skills the children have developed at weekends. However, as assessment and observation procedures are not established they have a limited ability to be a part of these processes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates an in depth knowledge of children's interests and learning styles, which she uses to provide a range of activities that engage and motivate them. Often this will be a group activity that the children can be involved with as and how they wish, whilst learning to respect and value the contributions of the other children. For example, the children make a castle from recycled materials which developed from the idea of one child, another designed and made a movable arm explaining how it works and what it does and the younger children who enjoy painting supported the others in decorating it. At other times the activities are individual and the children request and make their own decisions about what they want to do. The childminder is aware that some children learn better outside and adapts walks and activities to support many aspects of learning in the local environment. Such as counting cars, deciding on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and finding different routes home from school, planting and growing vegetables and flowers. She has begun to link activities to the six areas of learning and the expectations of the early learning goals but these are minimal and do not relate to individual children or their next steps in learning. Therefore their overall progression is not clearly identified. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Knowledge and understanding of the world is a strength within the provision and children learn a great deal about the world around them. They are actively involved in growing vegetables and flowers in the garden, learning to care for other living things and about where some of their food is from. Growing sunflowers links to mathematical skills as they identify which are taller and smaller and even very young children can identify different types of plants and flowers. To enhance

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children's knowledge and understanding of healthy foods a weekly trip to the local market is taken. Children choose which vegetables they would like to use to make soup and help to prepare the meal when they get home. The children devour the soup when it is made using spoons, fingers and a bowl tipped to their lips to ensure every last drop is finished. The homely environment is supported by their involvement in many baking activities where they talk about weights and measures, look at recipes and watch changes in the properties of the ingredients. These support their mathematical, literacy and early science skills. On walks to and from school the children see a range of wildlife, including frogs, plants and birds; they enjoy talking about them and discussing where they live and what they eat.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Literacy skills are encouraged as the children enjoy looking at books; they discuss their favourite ones and can join in with repetitive refrains. The childminder is skilled at asking the children open questions which make them think, reason and voice their own ideas and opinions. They converse constantly about what they are doing, share significant events from home and question what is happening. Opportunities for early mark-making are provided through drawing, painting, playdough and pastry activities. The children have made a height chart and have displayed their hand and foot prints to compare the biggest and smallest ones, developing their numeracy skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The daily routine and activities promote children's learning about acceptable social skills such as sharing and taking turns. They make many of their own choices and are actively involved in their activities and particularly enjoy taking on responsibilities. Good manners are expected and encouraged and the open discussions explore feelings and help to form resolves to issues. The children are very confident and secure in their surroundings, with trusting relationships having been formed with the childminder. They are valued and respected as individuals and this attitude is expanded to ensure they do the same 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? 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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