Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 205606 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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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 1992. She lives with her partner in Grimsby. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently five children on roll, three of whom are in early years age range. She takes children to the local library, to the duck pond and on walks to and from school. The childminder 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 homely environment where the childminder understands and meets their needs very well. Planning and assessment arrangements for the most part help children to progress well. Children are effectively safeguarded and their welfare needs are met by the childminder. Good relationships with parents promote children's learning, although links with other providers are in the early stages of development. By completing the recommendations raised at the last inspection the childminder shows a suitable capacity to improve, but does not always effectively evaluate all aspects 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?

 ensure children's progress in all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are assessed over a period of time  gain further understanding of reflective practice in order to confidently identify aspects of the childminding service that are done well and those aspects that might be improved, so as to promote good outcomes for children  further develop effective working relationships with other providers offering the EYFS, ensuring information about children’s next steps for development are discussed and shared to ensure continuity and progression.

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the early years provision

There are a good range of policies and procedures that support the childminding practice. The childminder has a clear safeguarding children policy and has recently undertaken training to update her knowledge. She can recognise the signs and symptoms that may cause her concern and knows the agencies to contact if she needs to, therefore children are protected. The home and garden is safe and secure and the childminder has completed a thorough risk assessment of these This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas and any outings she goes on with the children. The childminder has undertaken some additional training since the last inspection to help to improve her service. These include training in makaton, the Common Assessment Framework and the EYFS. She has considered some of the strengths and weaknesses within her service, but has not reflected upon all areas of the

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the early years provision

provision, or set targets for improvement. Children choose from a good range of resources, many that they can see and easily access within the playroom. They are also aware of other resources that are stored in other areas of the home. Children confidently use the indoor space and access the garden whenever they wish to. The childminder makes sure resources used are suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. For example, when building, younger or less able children would be able to use larger, chunkier construction bricks.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the individual stages of development and the learning needs of the children. She carefully observes children during the first few weeks of attendance and gathers as much information as possible from parents about what children can already do and their routines, likes and dislikes. Children learn to respect other people and understand that we are all different. The childminder talks to children about this issue and completes activities which introduce children to the wider world. One example of this is when the children made their own passport and explored aspects of other countries, such as the food and culture. The childminder has made links with the other providers, although the information gained is not yet effective in helping children to progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops very good, close and trusting relationships with parents. A great deal of information is readily shared, mainly through discussion at every session. Parents are kept fully informed about what experiences their child is having, and how they are progressing. Parents are extremely complimentary about the service they receive. The childminder and parents work together to help children progress, for example, the childminder has provided parents with the words to some songs the children learnt at a music class. They work together on helping children to recognise numbers and children often take storybooks home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happily settled, they enjoy an interesting time with the childminder and overall they progress well in their development and learning. The childminder uses the interests of the children to plan a wide range of experiences, both at home and away from home. She assesses children's progress linked to the areas of learning, but over a period of time, does not consider how children progress within each aspect, for example, in information, communication and technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and play with a purpose. They often count and sort as they play, for example, when playing a game with western play figures. The childminder makes good use of incidental opportunities to help children to learn, for example, when walking to the local school children start to recognise larger numbers on doors. The childminder helps to challenge children by asking them questions and introducing them to new words as they play. She helps children to think about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 solving problems through some of the interesting games they play. The positive, encouraging atmosphere provided by the childminder helps children to behave well. Young children enjoy using a wide range of books and speak clearly and confidently and can recognise and write their own name.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes sure children's health is effectively promoted by providing healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Children choose what they would like to eat, for example, snack options are displayed for children and parents to see. These include fruits, such as, grapes, bananas, kiwi fruit, plums and pears. Homemade meals such as chicken and fresh vegetables are also available. Children are active and there is a good range of equipment in the garden for them to use such as a see saw, slide, wheeled toys, bats and balls. They understand the importance of good hygiene routines and that by washing their hands they remove germs that may make them poorly. They have made their own posters to remind them about hand washing. Children also visit a local centre where they enjoy soft play opportunities. The childminder has recently undertaken road safety awareness training, which helps to update her knowledge and encourage children to learn

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to respond to their senses when exploring in sand and water, with oats, pasta, paint and play dough. They learn about the environment as they notice the changes in the weather and make weather charts. Children learn about where food comes from as they plant seeds to grow fruit and vegetables, such as potatoes, broccoli, runner beans, tomatoes and strawberries. They also have the opportunity to harvest and eat some of this food and so gain an understanding of the food cycle. The childminder provides children with a suitable range of toys that help to develop their technology skills for the future. These include a play cash till, stimulating baby toys and a toy computer. 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 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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