Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY306842 Inspection date 07/09/2009 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 her two children in Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The whole house is used for childminding, with most care provided on the ground floor and sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed, secure garden for outside play. The family has two dogs and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time during the day and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for a maximum of two children under eight years. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for older children and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive service where each child is supported and valued as an individual. Generally effective partnership working with parents, carers and other providers, contributes to continuity of care and learning experiences being promoted well for each child. Children make good progress in their learning and development as they participate in an interesting range of hands-on play experiences. Clear policies, procedures and practices ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted. The childminder has made improvements since the last inspection and she uses a mainly effective system of self-evaluation to monitor her provision and identify clear targets for future development, helping to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the opportunities for parents and carers to contribute to the self-evaluation  develop further the opportunities for sharing relevant information with other providers for children who attend more than one setting, to fully ensure their continuity and progression.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring children are well cared for. She organises her environment well to ensure children's needs are met. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessibility of toys and resources results in all children freely accessing their own play materials. Children's safety is protected because the childminder uses risk assessments to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised within the home, garden and when on outings. Children are fully safeguarded through the childminder's clear practices, policies and procedures. For example, the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and her policy ensures parents and carers are aware of her procedures. All required records and documents are comprehensively maintained, stored securely and used to promote an effective framework for the care of children. The

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the early years provision

childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive setting, where children's backgrounds and beliefs are valued and respected. Children are settled and happy within the childminder's care because she knows each child well. This enables each child to make good progress in relation to their individual starting points. Children's continuity of care and learning experiences are maintained through the childminder's mainly effective partnership working, where she ensures clear information is gathered and exchanged. However, the childminder has yet to develop clearer links with other providers delivering the EYFS where the care of children is shared, to ensure children further benefit from an integrated approach to their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well aware of her current strengths and areas requiring further development because she effectively monitors her provision through using a system of self-evaluation. The childminder asks parents and carers for verbal feedback about the service she provides, taking on board their views and making any changes where necessary. However, this has yet to be developed further to ensure it becomes a more integral part of her self-evaluation, which will enhance the already good system in promoting continuous improvement. The childminder has made improvements to her setting by working on the recommendation raised at the previous inspection. For example, children's health is fully maintained because the childminder has obtained permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder strives for improvement and continually develops her knowledge and skills through on going training. This helps the

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the early years provision

childminder to keep up to date with current issues and practices, resulting in children receiving good quality care and learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder uses observations to identify children's interests and achievements. This information is then used to plan for children's next steps for learning, ensuring each child makes good progress in line with their specific needs and abilities. Observations are also monitored to ensure children are making good progress within all areas of learning. Children are happy and extremely settled in the warm and welcoming home. They freely initiate their own play as a good range of toys and resources are stored to provide them with independent access. The childminder skilfully observes children and provides them with play experiences based on their interests. For example, when a child shows an interest in a watch, the childminder provides the child with a toy clock to play with. Opportunities for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

children to draw and make marks are regularly provided to help promote their early writing skills. Children enjoy independently selecting books to look at, while at other times they enjoy stories read aloud by the childminder. The childminder has a range of books which are suitable for the differing ages of children to ensure they can all freely access and enjoy books. For example, babies have board books which are more robust and chunky, while older children have books containing paper pages. This enables the differing ages of children to handle books and to look through as they learn how to turn the pages. Planned activities enable children to develop their skills further. For example, children's physical development is promoted during obstacle races, their mathematical development is promoted during baking when they help to weigh ingredients out, they explore textures and develop their creativity during sand play and art and craft activities

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and outcomes for children

and they freely access electronic toys which introduces them to information, communication and technology resources. Children are constantly stimulated through the childminder engaging in play with them and asking them questions as they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing in a safe, secure, homely setting where space and resources are organised well to meet their needs. Toys and resources are well maintained and the childminder ensures all children remain safe whilst in her care through her good supervision. Children are cared for in a clean home, where good health and hygiene routines help to minimise the spread of infection. They are further protected because the childminder implements a clear exclusion policy to prevent children attending the provision when they are poorly. All children are encouraged to be active through indoor and outdoor play, providing children with good opportunities to develop their physical skills and promote their well-being. Clear overnight care practices and outings procedures also contribute to protecting children's health and safety at all times. Children learn about maintaining their own health and safety through discussions, activities and regular events. For example,

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and outcomes for children

the childminder provides children with healthy meals and snacks and develops their knowledge of the benefits of healthy eating and exercise through regular discussions. Children also regularly practice emergency evacuation procedures and through thorough discussions with them, the childminder encourages children to think about why they may need to evacuate and the problems they may face. This helps them to think about what may happen and encourages them to work out solutions to any problems they may encounter. Children's behaviour is good because the childminder acts as a positive role model, promoting and encouraging good behaviour. She respects all children and values their unique backgrounds and beliefs, which promotes their self-esteem and self-worth. Children learn to value differences and diversity through play, activities and discussions. Posters displayed on the walls around the setting and toys depicting positive images of diversity,

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and outcomes for children

enable children to learn about the wider world. Children are encouraged to make positive contributions by helping, respecting and caring for others. This helps them to develop good habits and behaviour, which will aid their continued learning and development. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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