Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225184 Inspection date 16/12/2009 Inspector Georgina Walker

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1998. She lives with her adult son and daughter. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom upstairs in the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is via a threshold step. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. She shares and seeks some verbal information in partnership with other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings the children attend.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification.

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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

A child-friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. A stimulating range of experiences are provided, however, there are gaps in planning for the next steps in partnership with other EYFS providers. Self-evaluation with targets for improvement have been considered. The welfare of the children is effectively promoted and safeguarding aspects are given high priority. A range of policies and procedures are shared with parents to assist in developing an effective partnership.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for seeking and sharing information with other EYFS settings children attend to assist in planning the next steps  ensure the Local Authority Environmental Health Department requirements are met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successfully addressed the previous recommendations and parents can be assured children's welfare is given high priority and all legal requirements are met. The childminder has completed extensive training and obtained an early years qualification to consolidate her knowledge and provide a professional service. She has an excellent understanding of how to protect children in her care under the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarded in all aspects of care relating to child protection, safety of premises and when they are on the school run and outings, through comprehensive risk assessments. All relevant persons are checked. Documentation in the form of policies and procedures are available for parents and all children's personal details are confidentially stored. The childminder's expectations of how children will

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the early years provision

behave and learn to keep themselves safe ensures their understanding is well developed. Children are aware of the need to follow rules regarding safety in the home and the consequences, especially when crossing the roads or playing on the park.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships are promoted through discussion to meet children's needs and parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's developmental progress, likes and dislikes, cultural and religious requirements. Visits prior to the commencement of the placement ensure each child integrates at their own unique pace and inclusion is successfully promoted. Equality for all children in the childminder's care is effectively promoted and the childminder adapts activities to ensure they can engage and progress their learning. The next steps are discussed with parents but limited information is shared with other EYFS settings children attend to ensure consistency. Parents contribute substantially to the inspection process. The childminder's self-evaluation based on the local authority document gives a clear picture of her service. She has targets to continue developing the record keeping of each child's progress and to access ongoing

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the early years provision

There is effective and efficient use of resources. The children do creative activities and spend most of their time in the dining room and conservatory. Children choose what to play with from the range of crafts presented or develop their independence by choosing from the toy chest or from the games in the cupboard. They remember to use their manners when asking to change resources or to leave out buildings they have made before school to play with at the end of the day. Occasionally they watch television or have quiet times in the lounge. Most days they enjoy physical play on the range of equipment on the local park or play football as part of the journey home. In summer this includes having drinks and snacks on the park and children are often collected from there by their parents. The childminder provides a variety of fruit or biscuits for snack time and children are fully supported to develop healthy lifestyles. Meals are provided by parents if

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the early years provision

children are to stay late and the contents are stored appropriately until the children require them. The childminder is not aware of the requirement to register with the local health authority although she does hold a food hygiene certificate and her practices are good. The premises are well maintained and children are made aware of the risk of cross infection. They use wipes downstairs and are aware of the potential hazards of germs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports learning through a wide range of activities in the short time each child attends. She clearly understands what children learn from activities. Observations contain purposeful information, often a photograph of what This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the child was engaged in and informal plans for the next steps are made. Other EYFS settings children attend for the majority of the time provide minimal information to be shared with parents. Targets to ensure children progress in each area of learning is not formally shared. However, children's individual abilities are considerably extended. Children are encouraged to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others for example storing the buildings made with plastic bricks at the side of the room so no-one trips over them. Good health and well- being are encouraged and appropriate action is taken when children are ill.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a positive awareness of themselves and their needs through the support of the childminder. Equality of opportunity is promoted effectively. There are resources to promote positive images of society and children engage in celebrations of cultural festivals making masks or creating patterns. The children respond to the consistent praise and encouragement of the childminder. Language and thinking is effectively encouraged as the childminder constantly talks to the children, extending their learning. Children eagerly respond to questions and are inquisitive and the childminder shares her knowledge with the children. Children have access to a wide variety of books, including those with positive images of the diversities within society.

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and outcomes for children

Skills which children require for their future are successfully developed through activities and discussion. Children are supported to develop problem-solving and other mathematical skills for example they organise games with small plastic figures and count the pieces to see who is winning. The childminder provides them with instruction sheets and resources to make bauble shapes to hang on a Christmas tree from glittery pipe cleaners and golden thread. A substantial range of craft resources are available including seasonal templates to colour in, decorate with sequins, bobbles and glitter. Children are very competent at working alone or confident to request some help to complete tasks and proudly show their finished work. They enjoy the opportunities to relax after school. 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 2 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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