Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391827 Inspection date 21/10/2009 Inspector Gill Ogden

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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 lives with her partner and young son in Manby, Lincolnshire. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Amenities such as a park and shops are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. No more than two of the children may be in the early years age range. She holds a recognised early years qualification 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating home by a childminder who has several years experience of working in differing childcare situations. She knows each child's individual needs well so that their learning and welfare is successfully promoted. As a result, every child makes good progress towards the early learning goals as stated in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Effective working relationships with parents ensure that all children's continuity of care and learning is promoted well. Although the provider is new to childminding, she has a history of commitment to the best practice in her previous work environments and has established her service well in the short time since registering.

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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 better identify future targets and challenges for them  use self-evaluation to develop an improvement plan to fully ensure continuous development.

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the early years provision

All the required records are in place and maintained accurately. Policies and procedures are all in writing and reflect and support the childcare practice effectively. The policy and procedure for safeguarding is particularly clear and comprehensive and is shared fully with parents. Risk assessments are recorded for all the environments children use and daily visual safety checks are part of daily routines to promote children's health and security. Toys and play equipment are all good quality and organised well according to the available space and the needs of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children. This all demonstrates efficient organisation which provides a strong framework for the care of children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good relationships with parents which benefit the care of their children. Sharing information through, for example, the use of diaries and chats when children are dropped off and picked up allows the childminder to continually respond appropriately to each child's changing needs. Parents receive thorough information about the childminder's service which includes her commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and the promotion of equality. At the moment no children are involved with any other carers or providers. However, the childminder is aware of her responsibility to work closely with them when necessary to promote an integrated approach to each child's care and learning.

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the early years provision

Although this is the childminder's first inspection after registration she has previously worked in a day nursery and as a nanny. During this time she attended a range of training events and also achieved a professional qualification. This demonstrates her desire to provide the best service she can to children and their families. Ongoing re-prioritising of her ideas for improvements will enhance her already solid start to self-evaluation.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home environment where close attention is paid to their health, safety and achievement. They are all encouraged to develop good hygiene and healthy habits by, for example, washing their hands appropriately and talking about good and bad germs. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise by playing in the garden, going for walks or to the park. Their health is further promoted through their individual dietary needs being met well because parents provide their meals and the childminder usually gives them fruit for snacks. Every child's rest needs are considered and suitable provision is made for these, such as travel cots for babies and comfortable sofas for older children to relax on. A clear exclusion policy, which is shared with parents, helps to prevent the spread of infection. Safety procedures such as harnessing children safely into high chairs and stopping them from accessing potentially hazardous area by the

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and outcomes for children

use of safety gates minimise the opportunities for accidents and help children to feel safe. They also learn to keep themselves safe by, for example, using correct procedures for crossing roads and taking part in evacuation drills. Clear house rules and the consistent, positive approach taken by the childminder towards behaviour management ensures that children learn to behave well and use good manners. They are supported by the childminder to learn to behave with care around babies and develop an understanding that not everyone has the same abilities as themselves but nevertheless should be treated with respect and kindness. This effectively encourages children to develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to be good learners, to meet their own needs and the needs of others.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy exploring their environment and selecting from with the toys that are provided for them and asking for others when they want them. They know which areas of the home they are expected to use for different activities. They play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 generally well together in activities such as role play and use toys appropriately. The childminder plans a key activity each day to interest the children and make sure that all the areas of learning are covered consistently. Every child is supported to take part in activities according to their individual abilities. For example, if the childminder does a baking activity she ensures that babies can see what the others are doing and are able to explore the texture of some ingredients. Children's achievements are observed and recorded and plans are made for their next steps accordingly. However, at the moment too much emphasis tends to be placed on

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and outcomes for children

planning future activities for individual children rather than the skills and knowledge that they need to learn which may prevent them from making the most rapid progress. Children enjoy lots of conversation with the childminder and are encouraged to draw and mark-make generally. They are encouraged to use their imaginations by the childminder making suggestions to them about what pictures they might like to draw such as a rainy day because it is raining outside. This also helps them make links in their experiences. Babies' gurgling is valued as their language and the childminder notices the difference in the sounds they make so that she can respond quickly to any signs that they may be less happy. Children have access to plenty of books; some of which help them begin to understand about differing languages that people speak. They use interactive toys effectively to help them, for example, learn the sounds of different letters and sing along to

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and outcomes for children

songs. Children are encouraged to count as part of their everyday activities and explore money so that they begin to understand its use. All these activities help children develop the skills and understanding they will need to become literate and numerate and to be able to use information technology in the future. 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 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 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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