Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY103645 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Claire Jenner

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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 registered with Ofsted in 2002. She lives in a semi-detached house, with five bedrooms, on a main route into the city of Leicester. She shares her home with her husband and three children aged 11,13 and 19 years. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and occasional use of some of the upstairs bedrooms. The ground floor is all on one level and accessed by a shallow step, there is also a downstairs toilet for the children to use. There is a enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder has a cat and guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years at any one time, this increases to eight children when she is working with an assistant. At present there are 10 children aged under eight years, on roll, attending at different times. She also offers care to children aged over five years. All of whom attend on a part-time basis. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 successfully promotes children's welfare and meets their individual care and learning needs well. Information gathered from parents enables the childminder to identify and address children's individual needs and the childminder has had experience of working with other professionals to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are included. Policies and procedures are generally well maintained, although one requirement is not being consistently met. The childminder has successfully addressed actions set at the previous inspection and has implemented systems to enable her to continually assess and develop her service for children, parents and carers. Consequently, the provision for continuous improvement is good.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises, their hours of attendance and the names of the children's key worker is consistently maintained. 21/09/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to determine children's starting points so that their strengths and interests can be built on. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure environment. The childminder has taken positive steps to minimise potential hazards and keep children safe. For example, comprehensive risk assessments on the premises and resources are carried out regularly and the childminder ensures children are appropriately supervised at all times. The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding children and is aware of whom to contact to ensure children are protected. She is aware of her responsibility to ensure that all adults who spend time with the children are suitable to do so and maintains appropriate documentation to support this. Most policies and procedures are well maintained and contain all of the required information. However, registers clearly detailing children's hours of attendance, which is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage are not consistently maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively plans and equips a safe and attractive indoor and outdoor environment for children. Resources are plentiful and well organised allowing children to make independent choices of what they wish to play with. The childminder works closely with her assistant and they work well together to support and supervise the children ensuring their individual needs are met. Children are valued as individuals and effective systems are in place which enable the childminder to gather individual information about children, providing details about their care including daily routines, health and dietary issues. As a result, the childminder is able to cater for personal requirements so helping all children to feel settled and secure quickly. Relationships with parents are good. They are provided with a welcome pack containing useful policies and procedures about the childminding service. For example, information about how to make a complaint

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the early years provision

and so offering a transparent and safe service for children. An ongoing verbal exchange of information and easy access to individual records ensures parents are kept fully informed and involved in their children's care and learning. The childminder shows a willingness to share information and establish links with other settings involved in children's care that also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Systems for monitoring and self-assessment are developing and the childminder and her assistant work together to target and set plans for future improvement. She has successfully addressed actions and recommendations set at the previous inspection which have enhanced her service to children. The childminder shows a commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in training programmes and workshops and accessing new guidance and literature.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with good opportunities to enable them to make progress across all areas of learning. They are settled and confident in the childminder's care and engage in a variety of adult-led and child initiated activities both within This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and outside of the of home. The childminder has begun to formally observe children and uses these observations to plan for children's next steps. However, effective systems to enable the childminder to initially establish children's starting points are not yet fully in place which makes it difficult to build on their strengths and weaknesses.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure at the childminder's home where they feel welcomed by the childminder and relaxed in her company. Young children move freely around the identified play space and are encouraged to explore and investigate a range of toys and resources developing their confidence and skills for their future learning. Children interact positively with the adults as they climb on and off their knees for a cuddle or to share books and toys. Adults respond warmly to the children and talk to them about what they have found.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to be creative as they enjoy singing and dancing to well known songs and rhymes and dressing up in a range of costumes and outfits. Easy access to a selection of musical instruments allows them to experiment with rhythm and sound. Children take part in messy activities including painting and dough where they can create their own pictures or models or simply enjoy the textures of the different materials. Children's listening, language and communication skills are promoted well as the childminder listens, engages in conversations and extends children's language in line with their development. Through practical activities and daily routines children develop their awareness of counting and shape recognition. For example, building with the bricks, using shape sorters or completing jigsaw puzzles. Children are learning about the wider community as they visit the local community including trips to the library and

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and understand what is expected of them and are encouraged to be kind to one another. Young children play co-operatively together in the sand pit supported by an adult who helps them to take turns and share the equipment. Children learn strategies to keep themselves healthy and safe. The childminder demonstrates and encourages good hygiene procedures through everyday routines and how to use equipment safely and appropriately. Children are provided with a balance of meals and snacks which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Older children are encouraged to be involved in the menu planning taking into account what is a healthy and balanced diet and individual likes and dislikes. Children have good opportunities to be physically active both in the garden where they can explore the outdoor environment as well as enjoying the fresh air and access to a wide range of outdoor toys. Regular walks and trips to

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and outcomes for children

the local park soft play area provide additional opportunities to be physically active. 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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