Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY386174 Inspection date 24/09/2009 Inspector Janice Walker

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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 2009. She is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two pre-school aged daughters in the village of Waddington, near Lincoln. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including shops, park, library and schools. It is accessible with car parking available at the front of the house. All areas of the property are used for childminding with bathroom facilities available on the ground floor and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. The enclosed area at the side of the house in used for outdoor pay. The family do not keep any pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years, at any one time, one of these may be in the early years age range. She provides care all-year round. The setting is registered to provide overnight care for one child. The childminder has a vehicle

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Description of the childminding

available for her use and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a homely and welcoming environment. The childminder establishes warm relationships with parents and gathers relevant information to ensure that she is able to meet children’s individual needs. She organises her home and uses time and resources effectively to enable children to access a wide variety of toys and activities although is not yet making effective use of observations and assessments to support their progress as fully as possible. Policies and procedures to support children’s care and to promote their safety and welfare are generally effective. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her provision in order to support the ongoing development and improvement of the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 link observations of individual children's learning and development more closely to the early learning goals in order to identify any gaps and ensure that they are making progress across all areas  develop an ongoing system for self-evaluation to fully ensure continuous improvement of the provision  ensure that meals provided are consistently healthy, balanced and nutritious in order to support children's health and well-being and to support their understanding of the importance of healthy options. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has appropriate systems in place to support the smooth running of the provision All required records are in place and she shares information verbally with parents regarding her responsibilities and practices. She gathers relevant information at the outset to enable her to respond appropriately to children’s individual needs and ensures information is updated on an ongoing basis. She is well organised and plans daily routines around the needs of individual children, taking into account their flexible hours of attendance. She has attended all required training and keeps abreast of current issues through her contact with other local childminder’s. She has recently undertaken awareness of child abuse and neglect training which helps to ensure that children are safeguarded. The home is safe and secure; the risk assessment identifies possible hazards and daily visual checks along with appropriate use of safety equipment help to minimise

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the early years provision

possible hazards. She makes good use of space within the home; enabling children to eat and rest in comfort and to move around in ample space exploring their toys and play materials.

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the early years provision

The childminder has warm and friendly relationships with parents who report positively on the care their children receive. She verbally shares information on a daily basis about their children which ensures they are fully aware of their daily routines and the progress they are making. She describes appropriate systems for establishing links with other providers although children attending do not currently attend any other provisions. She is in the very early stages of evaluating her provision. She has a sound understanding of what she does well and has begun to identify some training needs. However, she has not yet established a robust system to ensure the continuous improvement of her service as a whole.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe and comfortable environment. They have established close, warm relationships with the childminder and her family and openly demonstrate their affection. This gives them the confidence to explore their environment and freely express themselves. A range of toys, activities and outings are provided which support children’s progress in all the areas of learning. Toys and resources are stored where they can get to them reasonably well. Through good communication with parents and her ongoing observations of children’s achievements, the childminder knows the children well. However, she has not yet established a clear system of linking these achievements to the early learning goals in order to clearly identify their next steps or any gaps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily and confidently move around their secure play areas and develop their independence as they make their own choices regarding their play from the range of toys provided. They begin to learn about possible dangers and how to stay safe, for example, by discussing the use of seat belts as they put them on for car journeys and by taking part in fire drills. Children develop their language skills This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through the childminder’s ongoing interaction with them and her use of simple sentences. She listens intently to their attempts at communicating and encourages their efforts as they share books together. She praises their efforts and encourages their participation in small group times, supporting their developing social skills. Children are encouraged to develop and explore their creativity through activities such as play dough and role play. Activity toys with buttons, dials, knobs and

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and outcomes for children

handles encourage them to explore technology and they begin to develop early mathematical skills as they recognise and point to familiar pictures in books.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn good personal hygiene practices through daily routines such as hand washing after using the toilet. Daily play times in the garden, trips to the park or near-by large field provide opportunities for them to get regular fresh air and exercise. The childminder is beginning to make strides in promoting healthy eating although currently, healthy options are not always provided to ensure that children’s diets are always fully balanced and nutritious in order to best promote their good health. They begin to learn about the local community through visiting local groups and resources such as the toy library and toddler groups. Through the childminders gentle support they learn to share and take turns and to consider the needs of others. This encourages good habits and behaviour which will support 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 08/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 08/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 08/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 08/10/2009

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