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 207743 Inspection date 18/08/2009 Inspector Jennifer Getty

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and family including a teenage daughter in a village near Alfreton, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom upstairs in the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats. The childminder drives or walks to the local schools and pre-school to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently six children from one years six months to 10 years on roll, three of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification and she 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 good. The childminder reflects on her practice and continuously implements new initiatives that promote children's welfare, enjoyment and development. She welcomes all children, providing a warm and caring environment in which they feel settled. The childminder forms excellent partnerships with parents and provides them with a wealth of information about children's activities and progress. The childminder is committed to ensuring children's individual needs are met and recognises each child as unique.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure that all hazards are minimised  review the written consents for the administration of non-prescription medication to include the health reason to do so.

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provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has systems in place that work well to maintain children's health and welfare. Policies, procedures and records mostly work well in practice and are efficiently organised for quick reference. The childminder uses processes of self- evaluation to successfully identify the setting's key strengths and areas for development, highlighting some new opportunities for improving the provision further. This ensures that children's learning and welfare needs are considered at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 all times. Parents provide written permission for the administration for medication, however, permissions for administering non-prescription medication does not include a health reason to do so. The childminder attends regular training courses that are focused on ensuring children's needs are met and that support her

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provision

The premises are safe and secure and the childminder completes risk assessments on a regular basis that consider all areas of the premises, as well as outings. Daily checks are completed, although during the inspection the washing line was not made safe which does not fully support children's safety. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow when necessary, which safeguards children. She also has a sound understanding of the importance of working with other agencies. Parents are kept very well informed about children's progress and routines through daily discussion. Daily diaries are used to share information between home and the setting, providing excellent continuity of care and enabling the childminder to recognise and meet children's individual needs. References from parents show that they are extremely happy with the provision. Beautifully presented 'memory books' are given to parents

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provision

which contain photographs of the child's activities throughout the year and parents share their expertise and contribute significantly to the children's activities with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy at the childminder's home and are mostly purposefully involved in a range of interesting activities. The childminder sets out activities and toys for them, enabling them to make choices about their play so they can develop their independence and self-selection skills. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy through discussion about healthy foods and they enjoy visits to the local allotments to see how vegetables are grown. There are opportunities for them to grow their own vegetables and fruit with the childminder and young children ask if they can water the tomatoes, taking an interest in how things grow. They understand the consistent boundaries set by the childminder and behave well, learning how to share and take turns. They develop a sense of safety as they move around the garden and try not to bump into others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans activities that are focused on children's interests and next steps in learning, providing opportunities for them to enjoy a broad range of experiences. They take part in several visits including those to White Post Farm, parks, toddler groups and the childminding group. The childminder helps children extend their interests, for example, making a large scarecrow after a visit to the allotment and organises trips to transport museums for those whose interests include trains. Young children use number during everyday play, such as counting the number of tea towels to hang up, and have good communication skills. They chat happily to adults and each other, finding solutions to problems and explaining to each other about sharing. They have lots of opportunities to read books and develop an interest in stories because the childminder takes them regularly to the library and she has started to create story sacks, such as the Three Little Pigs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Young children enjoy playing in the garden using ride-on toys and cars, as well as, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 trying to hit the ball with the plastic golf clubs. Babies have opportunities to develop their physical skills and all children enjoy the craft activities, expressing their own creativity when making pictures. The childminder observes children at play in order to plan appropriate activities that support their development, for example, helping babies to enjoy different textures. She works closely with the guidance books so that children's progress towards the early learning goals is carefully monitored. Children have a strong sense of belonging at the childminder's home and are excited when they look through photographs of their family. Overall, children are confident and develop good levels of self-esteem. 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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