Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256988 Inspection date 18/11/2009 Inspector Jackie Phillips

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and eight year old child in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Registration is for six children under the age of eight years, three of which may be within the Early Years age range. Currently there are eight children on roll, one of which is within the early years age range. The setting is close to a range of local amenities, for example, shops, schools, the library, beach, woods and parks. Children have use of the whole of the property's ground floor, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor and an enclosed rear garden for children's outdoor play opportunities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family keep rabbits as pets.

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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 warm, welcoming and interesting family environment. They have their individual needs well met and make good progress in their learning. This is because they are exposed to a rich and stimulating range of activities that take place throughout each week. Children go for trips and outings and attend many local groups, helping them to be aware and involved in their community. Partnerships, particularly with parents, contribute to children's care, learning and welfare. Effective steps are taken to evaluate the provision and plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider devising and implementing written plans to share with parents and show the full range of indoor and outdoor activities that take place to support children's learning, including those to meet their individual needs  ensure the daily record of children's attendance is accurately maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. The indoor and outdoor environment is conducive to learning and is safe and supportive. Regular checking and recording procedures are used to identify risk and initiate action, although on the day of the inspection the register of attendance was not completed promptly. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children and does so through a combination of observation, discussions with parents, training and recording processes. Children are taught to be safety conscious without being fearful and demonstrate a growing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children are provided with a flexible but busy week full of comprehensive activities and events that take place inside and out. Through frequent observation and assessment the childminder is made aware of children's interests and identifies how she can provide learning experiences to enable them to enjoy, achieve and make progress towards the early learning goals. She uses this knowledge very well, although the lack of written plans means parents are not fully aware of the range of activities that take place, their learning intentions or how specific activities are aimed at supporting children to make progress.

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the early years provision

A broad range of toys, equipment and resources are made available to children. Many are displayed at child height enabling them to be independent and make choices and decisions. The range is supplemented by some borrowed from the toy library and those created by the childminder, in particular aimed at making learning fun, such as the aide memoir used to help children count the number of monkeys swinging on the tree. Pictures, posters and good use of labelling helps children to absorb printed information and provides a sense of belonging, as they see their art work or photograph displayed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She helps children to understand about other cultures and the society in which they live through a varied range of resources and activities. She is able to identify additional support required for children and shares this information with parents. The childminder works closely with parents and seeks to improve her practice by asking them and their children their opinion of the service she provides. She liaises closely with other childminders in the area and appreciates how networking motivates and inspires her to be ambitious for her own setting. She clearly enjoys caring for children and is keen to develop her professional knowledge through, for example, training. Partnerships in the wider context are currently under development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of activities and take some responsibility for decisions about routines. For example, they can choose to go outside in the interesting garden, even when it is raining and are involved in deciding what appropriate clothing and footwear they will require. They are encouraged to be curious and investigate their surroundings, for instance by listening to the rain as it falls onto the roof or exploring the texture of cereal when it is dry and when water is added. As part of routines to help children adopt positive attitudes to a healthy lifestyle, they learn aspects of effective personal hygiene and are provided with a range of healthy options to eat. Food tasting sessions are organised to help them be aware of a wide variety of food that contributes to healthy living, in particular unfamiliar fresh fruit that is used to arouse their interest and curiosity.

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and outcomes for children

The resources that children use inspire them to be creative and active learners. They respond very well to the childminder's expert use of open questioning, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helping children to share their ideas and think critically. Children behave well and are able to share and take turns. They are able to make good progress in communicating, literacy and skills relating to information and communication technology. An interest in number is fostered through, for instance, counting the number of stairs leading to the first floor and singing songs that involve counting forwards and backwards.

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and outcomes for children

Children's speech and language skills are well supported as they hear a variety of different words used through, for example, music and songs, stories and rhymes and by the childminder's good use of spontaneously introducing unfamiliar vocabulary. Children's creativity is able to be fostered as, for example, they access a varied range of dressing up clothes, art and craft materials, small world figures and domestic role play equipment. Attendance at groups and involvement in planned trips and outings enriches children's experiences. This also helps them to socialise and be exposed to a wider variety of opportunities, enabling them to develop positive attitudes to learning and fundamental skills for 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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