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 225189 Inspection date 18/06/2009 Inspector Adelaide Griffith

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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 1992. She lives with husband and one adult child in East Goscote, Leicester. They live close to schools, pre-schools, shops and parks. The childminder works with another registered childminder and minds from her own home. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. Together the childminders are registered to care for a maximum of nine children. Currently they are caring for four children in the early years age group between them. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends several groups on a regular basis. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder and her co- childminder provide a welcoming environment in which children are making steady progress in their learning and development. Children's welfare needs are adequately promoted and they are safe due to risk assessments. The childminder and her co-minder regularly reflect on their practice and make changes to improve the care and learning of children. All children's individual needs are met appropriately and plans are in place for future development. The childminder has set targets, such as, extending her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The positive links with parents and other early years providers generally support children's care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of Early Years Foundation Stage to enable children to make progress toward the ealry learning goals in all areas of learning  review systems to undertake observational assessments in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs  improve the system for working with parents and other early years providers in order to support children's learning more effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

All required records, required for the smooth running of the setting are available. The childminder takes responsibility for organising outside play. The childminder is aware of recent initiatives in early years care and aims to keep abreast of these. The childminder has a general understanding of the need to reflect on her practice and actively contributes to discussions about activities and the care of the children. Several changes have been made to inform parents about children's activities and work they have done. This contributes to the improvement in communicating with parents. The childminder identifies plans to supply additional outside play equipment, including a balancing box to promote children's physical skills further. She demonstrates the capacity to make necessary improvements by addressing the recommendation from the last inspection effectively.

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provision

Children are adequately safeguarded due to the childminder's understanding of child protection issues. Although the responsibility for writing risk assessments lies with her co-childminder, the childminder carries out the daily checks of the premises before children's arrival to ensure that they are safe. The childminder creates a relaxing environment in which every child feels valued and they are at ease in the setting. There is a close partnership with parents and this supports the care of children positively. In spite of a long established relationship with other early years providers, the childminder has not implemented activities to support children's learning in other settings effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are generally helped to learn and develop in the Early Years Foundation Stage due to the childminder's commitment to support their progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder creates a homely environment, where children move around freely to access a broad selection of resources. The childminder has some understanding of planning for children's development. For example, she encourages their participation in role play activities, some of which support their learning about people in the community, such as, hairdressers and nurses. However, she does not consistently include challenges for children individually in the range of activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder contributes to observational assessments with her co-childminder. She holds discussions about children's attainment but there is some uncertainty about planning for the next stage in their learning. Her co-worker therefore takes main responsibility for planning for and tracking children's development, and this helps them to make sound progress. Although the childminder does not have experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities she understands the importance of discussing children's additional needs with parents. Similarly, the childminder shares information about children's care on a daily basis with parents, but progress reports about children's development are handled by her co-worker. Although the childminder has a long established relationship with other early years providers, she has not considered activities to complement those offered in other settings. This means that children's learning is not fully supported

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health and well-being are generally promoted as reflected in documentation, for example, the accident record. Their understanding of healthy foods is developed by growing fruit and some vegetables, which they tend enthusiastically with support from the childminder. Children are protected against the spread of infection due to procedures which ensure that the premises are clean. The childminder helps children to stay safe by constant supervision during activities. Generally, children are well behaved due to the childminder's skills in managing behaviour positively. 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? 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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