Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387143 Inspection date 17/09/2009 Inspector Susan Andrews

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and children aged eight, six and four years in the village of Groby in Leicestershire. The premises can be accessed by all children. The ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder, when working alone, is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. When working with an assistant she may care for six children. There are three children currently on roll, two of whom are within the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Schools, parks, shops, toddler groups and places of interest are within easy walking or driving distance. The family have a pet hamster. She 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

The childminder provides a welcoming and comfortable home for all children, which supports their welfare and ensures they are happy and secure in her care. They make suitable progress in their learning and development through the provision of appropriate range of toys and activities. However, effective observation and assessment procedures are not yet fully implemented to ensure that individual children's learning potential is fulfilled. The childminder is developing positive relationships with parents and a range of written policies and procedures are in place and used to safeguard children and support their health and welfare. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and is beginning to consider how self-evaluation and reflective practice can improve her service to children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observation and assessment strategies to determine children's starting points and ensure planning for their next steps is linked to the learning needs of individual children and covers the six areas of learning  develop systems to engage with parents, carers, other agencies and providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote and improve the outcomes for children  develop self-evaluation and reflective practice systems to bring about further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children  ensure risk assessments include all types of outings. 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 where they can make choices from a range of suitable toys and play equipment. The childminder uses her available play space well so that children can independently access resources and move freely between the lounge, dining area and garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures the range of written policies and procedures are shared with parents at the time a child is placed in her care, which helps to promote children's health, safety, welfare and continuity of care. Appropriate documentation is maintained relating to the administration of medication and records relating to accidents. Children are learning and encouraged to feel safe by using the 'safe route' to school and through discussion about hazards, such as crossing the road, not running in the home and climbing the steps with care to the garden decking. She ensures her home is safe and secure for the children to use. The garden is safely enclosed and most risk assessments are carried out, however, these do not currently include every type of outing. Children are protected from the risk of fire, as smoke detection and fire fighting equipment is in place. Children participate in regular emergency evacuation drills so they are familiar with the procedures to be

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the early years provision

followed should a real emergency occur. The childminder has a written safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. Children are effectively protected from the risk of abuse or neglect, because the childminder has secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures and understands her responsibility to refer relevant concerns to the appropriate agencies.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents with a range of policies, procedures and contractual documents so they are clear how their children will be cared for. She talks to parents on a daily basis about what children have been doing. The childminder is in the early stages of developing observation and assessment systems including written records, children's learning journeys and achievements. Consequently, parents and others, who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, have limited opportunities to influence or contribute to the children's learning and development programme.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the basic childminder training and holds a paediatric first aid certificate. She shows a willingness to improve outcomes for children by establishing self-evaluation systems and further developing her knowledge and skills through ongoing training.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She knows the children well and close relationships are being formed. The childminder has a sound understanding of their interests and is generally aware of the support children need to promote their learning and development. However, observation and assessment strategies are not sufficiently established to identify children starting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 points, build on what they already know or to plan for what they need to do next. Consequently children may not progress as effectively as they might, through the early learning goals to enable them to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to be independent learners as they access and choose resources for themselves and initiate their own play using the toys, art and craft materials, the chalkboard and imaginary play, such as dressing up. The garden is well resourced with a range of large equipment such as a trampoline, tricycles, scooters, bats and balls. Children enjoy watering plants in the garden and the childminder arranges appropriate adult-led play experiences, for example, cooking activities or collecting leaves, sticks, sycamore seeds and grasses when visiting a nearby wooded area. Children bring these items back to the home and work together in harmony, creating a big collage which is displayed on the wall, enhancing children's feeling of accomplishment and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively supports early communication skills and she engages children in lively conversation when they play. They look at books together and use every day experiences to explore words, sounds and numbers. For example, counting 'how many red cars' they see, as they go on walks and outings. She extends children's knowledge and understanding of the world, as they become familiar with their local and the wider community, through activities within the home and participation in local groups and use of library services. Children behave well, they are kind to one another, they learn to take turns, share their toys and are beginning to understand how their behaviour affects others. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management, offering clear explanations, lots of praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy eating is promoted at mealtimes, as the childminder serves a range of nutritious well balanced meals and snacks including fresh fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and pasta. Children have fruit juice, milk and drinking water is made readily available, particularly after physical exercise and in hot weather, to ensure children remain well-hydrated. The childminder gathers clear information from parents about children's dietary needs, including preferences and any allergies, so that they can eat safely. The childminder keeps with her at all times, a suitably equipped first aid kit and that, coupled with her first aid knowledge, ensures that she can respond positively should a child have an accident or become unwell whilst in her care. 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: 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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