Childminder, Out-of school day care in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY283241 Inspection date 21/09/2009 Inspector Sharon Waterfall

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in the village of Heighington, Lincolnshire. There are schools, a pre- school, shops and parks within walking distance. The ground floor of the home and a small bedroom and bathroom upstairs are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, which is stepped and sloped.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age at any one time and is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family have a pet cat, guinea pigs, rabbits and a tortoise.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local group meetings.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has recently returned to minding younger children and is getting to grips with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has begun to observe and identify areas for children's development and though these have not been formalised yet, they support children sufficiently in their progress. Whilst most requirements are met overall, some are limited through inefficient organisation or lack specific details. She is improving her practice through increased knowledge gained by completing a recognised childcare qualification and support from development workers. However, the childminder's current system of self-evaluation is not yet robust enough to fully ensure continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 request written parental permission at the time of a child's admission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and welfare) 30/09/2009

p.4

further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 30/09/2009

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings  develop the observations and assessments to identify children's progress towards the early learning goals and use these to identify and plan for individual children's next steps for learning

p.4

the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has a secure understanding of issues relating to child protection, including identifying children at risk and correct reporting procedures. They are cared for in a suitable, secure setting where space is used appropriately to meet their needs. Some risk assessments have been completed but they do not include the types of outings undertaken and although no hazards were identified during the inspection, the childminder does not have a dated record of risk assessments carried out, which is a regulatory requirement. Children's safety is maintained because the childminder supervises them well and maintains a current first aid certificate and public liability insurance to protect children's welfare. Most required records and documents are in place, however permissions to seek emergency medical treatment and those for outings are not held for all children, which has the potential to impact on children's

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her overall strengths and areas requiring further development. However, she has yet to fully develop a more thorough system of self-evaluation so that the whole setting is continually evaluated to ensure continuous improvement. Information and guidance has been sought from development workers but some aspects have yet to be implemented. Recommendations from the last inspection have been successfully completed, making children safer as all hazardous substances are now inaccessible to them. Parents have given positive references about the provision, particularly the range of imaginative and craft activities the children engage in. Regular two-way information is shared through daily discussions and the childminder encourages parents to share what they know about their child. Written policies and procedures are shared with them ensuring they are aware of the service provided. Observation

p.5

the early years provision

and assessment procedures are not sufficiently in place to involve parents in their child's progress though discussions about children's capabilities are held when they begin. Partnership working with other professionals has not been established as the early years children being cared for have only just begun to attend and do so on a very part-time basis. The childminder is aware of the importance of developing these relationships to provide a consistency of care for the children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder ensures all families feel welcome regardless of their background and that all children are treated equally, valuing their individual beliefs and backgrounds. A good range of resources, discussions and activities help the children to understand the society in which they live, increasing their awareness of gender, culture and ability. The childminder understands that young children need time to settle in and feel secure and she enables them to explore their new surroundings. This helps them to build trusting relationships with the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and become familiar with new routines, easing their transition into this new situation.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They enjoy participating in an appropriate range of adult-led and child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play. However, the childminder has yet to plan and provide further opportunities for children to progress in their individual development. As children have only just commenced, she is observing the activities they independently chose, building relationships with them and offering a wide range of experiences. Through this observation she is becoming aware of children's interests and capabilities and has begun to repeat activities the children enjoy to further extend and enhance them, though these processes are still very informal and lack a consistent and continual approach to planning for all six areas of learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

A farm resource is used to support a young child's interests in animals and to build secure relationships with the childminder. Language skills are developed as the childminder names the animals and demonstrates what noises they make. These are copied and the childminder uses positive praise to encourage more language and build the child's self-esteem. Problem solving skills are used to correctly locate the type of animal asked for and shows an ability to match and sort items. Creative activities are a speciality of the childminder, particularly with the older age range of children. Younger children enjoying gluing activities, exploring the consistency of the glue and working out what it does. Glitter is added to the experience and though not used as a decorative material, children work out how to shake it from the pot and use a pincer grip to move it on and off a picture of a rabbit. They laugh along with the childminder as they repetitively hide it and then rediscover it,

p.6

and outcomes for children

working together to complete a shared task and to tidy away the glitter when they have finished.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children seem settled and confident in the childminders care, displaying good levels of confidence as they explore the environment and resources. Their behaviour is good and their independence is developed as they are offered choices and make decisions for themselves. The childminder uses appropriate behaviour management strategies to help children to learn the difference between right from wrong. They learn to respect one another and appreciate differences such as age and ability.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing with a generally good range of toys and resources which are appropriately maintained. They are beginning to learn appropriate hygiene practices through the daily routine. Their health is further protected because the childminder implements an exclusion policy to help prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. Children benefit from a healthy range of snacks which meet their dietary requirements and the accessibility of drinks enables children to freely access them when required. Children experience a suitable range of activities that contribute to their good health. Physical play in the garden and daily walks with prams and dolls This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help children to develop their physical skills and body control. Children learn about protecting their own health and safety through discussions and activities. For example, children learn how to cross the road safely when out walking.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

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.

p.9

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:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises) 30/09/2009

p.9

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:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises) 30/09/2009

p.9