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 225357 Inspection date 05/08/2009 Inspector Patricia King

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the village of East Goscote which is situated in the north of Leicestershire. All of the ground floor, except for the conservatory and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used and there is a fully enclosed garden 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, of whom no more than three maybe in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group and attends childcare groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has two pet dogs.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder’s home and the daily routines are organised effectively to ensure that children are safe, secure and offered stimulating and varied activities across all areas of learning and development. She takes care to find out all the necessary details to meet children’s individual needs which means she knows them well and they are happy, settled and confident in her care. Positive working relationships with parents are well established as she provides them with good information about her service and their child's care and learning. She works closely any other providers or agencies working with children to promote continuity of care and development. She is not yet using her self-evaluation systems to makes plans for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop effective systems to ensure that observations are used efficiently to recognise what children have learned and plan for their next steps  develop systems in place to ensure self-evaluation is used effectively to identify strengths and weaknesses in performance and plan ongoing improvement.

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provision

This childminder gives careful consideration to the inclusion of all children and effectively organises activities and learning opportunities so that they are fully enabled to participate safely and confidently. She has established contacts with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 others involved in the children's lives, for example, the pre-school and school which supports children’s overall development. Systems to sensitively observe and assess what children can do are in place, however, this information is not yet used consistently to plan for individual children’s next steps. All necessary records are maintained and parents are provided with verbal feedback of the children’s daily care and written details of their learning journey.

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provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection procedures and knows what to do to report any concerns which means children are effectively safeguarded from harm. She promotes children's safety by undertaking thorough risk assessments of her premises and any outings and by maintaining close supervision at all times. A comprehensive range of written policies and procedures are in place to promote children's health, safety and welfare and parents are provided with copies of this important information. All recommendations for improvement from the previous inspection have been addressed efficiently and the childminder has some systems to evaluate her services. She recognises her strengths and weaknesses but is not using this information effectively to plan ongoing improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a sense of belonging and build positive relationships with this childminder and her family. She has arranged her home to provide a safe, secure environment for children where toys, activities and resources are stored within easy reach to promote independence and choice. Consequently, they feel confident to express themselves, for example, asking for a favourite story, a drink or a comforting cuddle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and are developing a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. They are learning to share, take turns, show care and concern for each other and keep sensible house rules agreed for their personal safety and well- being indoors and outside. She skilfully uses spontaneous opportunities to promote children’s learning, for example, learning to be safe indoors and on outings by practising their road safety precautions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s health and welfare are effectively promoted because the childminder is a good role model and helps children learn through daily routines. For example, children are learning why careful hand washing after using the toilet and before handling or eating food is important to their good health. She talks to them about healthy eating and provides practical activities to promote their awareness such as through role play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her knowledge of how children learn to provide innovative and fun activities across the Early Years Foundation Stage. She skilfully uses activities to promote learning across the curriculum, for example, when making the bird feeders they weighed measured, calculated, used small tools and learned about the natural world. Children have talked about their holidays, found the places they visited on the map and learned about the different lifestyles and customs in these places. In this way, the children are becoming aware and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informed of their community, the wider world and their place in it.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well which means their individual needs and capabilities are recognised and regarded to ensure all children are fully included and enabled to participate in the daily routines. She provides an interesting and challenging range of activities and opportunities to engage children's interest and help them to make progress in all areas of learning having careful regard for individual needs and abilities. 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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