Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208937 Inspection date 19/11/2009 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Scothern, Lincolnshire. All areas of their home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Accessibility is negotiable. Amenities such as a primary school, pre-school, nursery, toddler groups, parks and a garden centre are within walking distance. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently she looks after 16 children, five of whom are in the early years age range, all on a part-time basis. She also provides for children who have additional needs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and runs the local toddler group.

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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

The childminder provides a very safe, cosy and stimulating home environment for children. She has an excellent knowledge of each child as an individual so their welfare and learning needs are routinely met. Every child is included successfully and the childminder works very hard to ensure they all reach their potential. As a consequence all children make good progress towards the early learning goals as stated in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Excellent relationships with parents contribute very effectively towards their child's needs being met. Good links with others who are involved with each child, or may be in the future, promote strong continuity of care for them all. The childminder is very experienced and is thoughtful about her work resulting in secure plans for future improvement and prompt responses to any recommendations made.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the information sharing with others who are involved with the children to better identify learning priorities for each of them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised and committed to her work. She keeps all the necessary records accurately and reviews policies and procedures regularly to ensure they remain in line with legislation and her current practice. Safeguarding is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a priority for the childminder and she seeks to update her knowledge in this area regularly as well as ensuring that parents are fully aware of her responsibilities through discussions with them and giving them all a copy of her policy and procedure. Risk assessments are clearly recorded and cover all the environments that children use. All this ensures that there is a robust framework in place for the care of children. Toys and play equipment that the childminder uses are organised effectively for the children's use and added to on a regular basis according to children's individual interests and needs. Every child's background and ability is

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the early years provision

valued highly and equality of opportunity is at the heart of everything the childminder does.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed extremely strong relationships with parents which help her ensure that each child's needs are met effectively. Parents speak very positively about the childminder, highlighting her ability to meet each child's individual needs and the timely information they receive. The childminder provides them with excellent information about their child's progress in a very well presented 'all about me' book on which she has worked very hard to make child and parent friendly. An extremely useful leaflet ensures that parents have all the information they need from the time they start to use her services about the childminder's approach to safeguarding, behaviour management and equal opportunities. The childminder has developed strong links with the local pre-school and reception class which ensures that there is a trusting atmosphere for information sharing about each child when they use these provisions. At the

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the early years provision

moment, however, information sharing does not support target setting for children's learning as well as it might.

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the early years provision

The childminder has lots of experience in caring for children and has always acted effectively on recommendations that have been made. As a result of the last inspection she has improved her practices to keep children healthy and to optimise confidentiality. The childminder has established a self-evaluation system which includes gathering opinions from parents and children in order to improve the service she offers. She is proactive in finding ways to improve her practice, such as asking to sit in on reception class lessons to help her develop her observation and assessment skills. Clear plans are in place to maintain ongoing improvement in the service offered.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare needs are given very good attention. They learn to keep themselves safe through daily routines, such as practising road safety when they walk to pre-school and they know how to behave safely when they play in the park. The childminder gets specialist help form the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership because she is so concerned that children should be helped in the best way possible to be safe near roads. She also ensures that they have opportunities to think about 'stranger danger'. Older children express how safe they feel when they are with the childminder and the warm relationships she has with younger children show that they feel the same. Children have good, regular opportunities to get plenty of fresh air and exercise and are able to use the garden for a wide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of learning. Parents provide meals for their children so their individual

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and outcomes for children

dietary needs are always met. The childminder prepares snacks for children, such as crumpets and fruit and ensures they get plenty to drink. Babies and young children who need to sleep can do so safely and comfortably in a travel cot. Children behave well and play together happily as a result of the clear boundaries and house rules the childminder has in place and the encouragement she gives them to consider each other. All children are very well supported to respect and understand each other's differing abilities and cultures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans play activities for children in line with those of other providers that they are involved with so that children are able to consolidate and extend their learning. These broad plans leave plenty of opportunities for each child to also follow their own interests. The childminder makes the most of these and daily routines to help children learn in all areas. For example, she uses snack time to help children develop their understanding of number sequence and amount and small world play with trains helps children to learn how magnets work because the carriages connect together with them. Children use microphones when they sing which supports their understanding of technology as well as their creative and language development. The childminder follows closely any specific plans that are in place for children who have special educational needs and lets parents know of her observations so that they can pass them on to other professionals. Regular

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and outcomes for children

observations on every child are noted, along with photographs, in their individual books and assessments are made of their progress. Initial assessments are made when each child first starts to attend which, along with parents' views of their abilities, are used by the childminder to provide a baseline for their future learning. All these procedures ensure that every child makes good progress towards the early learning goals and develops skills for the future. Children enjoy their learning and achievements because of the childminder's focus on them having fun whilst they play and learn. 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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