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 EY296578 Inspection date 27/07/2009 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 10 years in Groby in Leicestershire. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the early years register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for two children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder plans a good range of experiences that effectively promote children's learning and development. Observations of children are used to identify their achievements and next steps in most areas. The childminder has systems in place to evaluate the service she provides. Partnerships arrangements are developed between the childminder and other settings that most children attend. The childminder develops good working relationships with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the arrangements already in place for observing and assessing young children to identify and plan their next steps in all areas of learning.  develop systems further to communicate with other settings that children attend to ensure coherence of learning and development  improve the systems to further self-evaluate and monitor practice to bring about improvements to ensure that individual needs of all children are met

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provision

A range of written policies and procedures are implemented effectively, helping to promote children's welfare. The policies are shared with parents at induction and they also have copies for future reference. The childminder confidently explains how she liaises with other providers, such as schools and playgroups, when collecting children in her care. However, there is currently no liaison with playgroups when parents take and collect their own children. Consequently, consistency in their learning and development is not fully promoted, although This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussion with parents helps to bridge this gap. At induction the childminder collects detailed information about the children. This information is used to effectively to ensure that the childminder provides appropriate experiences and builds on what the children can already do. The childminder records her

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provision

observations of the children and uses these to identify their achievements and the next steps in their learning and development. However, these do not yet fully show progress in all six areas of learning. The records of children's progress are shared with parents ensuring that they are informed and involved in their child's learning.

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provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a very secure understanding of the indicators of abuse and neglect and how to record and report concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The childminder places a high emphasis on keeping children safe. Clear risk assessments ensure that potential hazards are identified and action taken to remove or minimise these. Consequently, the home is safe and suitable for children to play. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder continues to assess risks to their welfare. The childminder has made a good start at self-evaluating the service she provides. As a result she can identify some strengths and areas for improvement. However, further consideration will ensure that changes made will have a positive impact on the children in her care. Appropriate action has been taken to address the recommendation made at the last inspection which has helped to further promote

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provision

children's safety. The childminder has attended a range of training which shows that she places importance on her own professional development and uses her knowledge for the benefit of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a warm, caring relationship with the childminder who provides an interesting and stimulating environment where children can independently access toys and resources at will. Babies are supported well to ensure that they can reach developmentally-appropriate toys which they enjoy exploring as they develop their hand-eye coordination. The childminder implements good hygiene procedures to minimise the risk of infections spreading. Children's understand the importance of a healthy diet and good hygiene and meal times are used well to develop their social skills and good table manners. They understand about dangers and learn how to keep themselves safe through daily routines such as crossing the road.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good self-esteem and play harmoniously with their friends because the childminder praises them and actively promotes sharing. All children benefit from gender free play and are learning about differences as they celebrate a range of festivals throughout the year and learn about the local community as they visit shops and the library. All children are engaged in a wide range of interesting experiences and everyday events that help to promote their learning and development. The childminder is effective in ensuring that children of all ages are involved in play. For example, children are pretending to barbeque food for lunch, as they offer the food to their friends and the childminder, she praises them for including the baby and talks about the food babies can eat. As children spend time completing jigsaws the childminder engages them in conversation about what they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are doing and the picture they are trying to make. Older children use their language for thinking and expressing themselves as they solve problems. For example they explain that the piece which depicts a present goes at the bottom because that is where it is shown on the picture.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have lots of opportunities to use programmable and simple computer-type toys which helps develop their understanding of information and communication technology. They use natural materials for crafts and to develop patterns as they make rubbings of bark. Younger children show early mathematical concepts as they count the cars they are playing with and talk about the ones that are the same colour. Children learn through play and everyday experiences are used well to develop their leaning. For example, as the clock strikes the children count how many times the cuckoo sounds and relate this to the relevant time. 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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