Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208972 Inspection date 08/10/2009 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 2000. She lives with her 14-year-old daughter in Bracebridge Heath, a village on the southern outskirts of Lincoln city. All areas of the property are available for childminding, although the ground floor is the main area used. There is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Amenities such as shops, a pre-school and a school are within walking distance. The childminder also uses her car to transport children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after five children, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder holds a relevant 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, cosy and stimulating home environment. The childminder values each child's uniqueness which, along with close working relationships with parents, contributes effectively to every child's welfare and learning needs being met well. They all make good progress towards the early learning goals as stated in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although no children are currently involved with any other providers, agencies or carers, the childminder is committed to working closely with them to promote continuity when necessary. She is a generally reflective practitioner and has identified some elements of her provision for improvement.

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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  develop an ongoing self-evaluation system to fully ensure continuous development.

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the early years provision

All the necessary records are maintained accurately and policies and procedures are in writing. Parents are given their own copies and sign up to them. Their attention is drawn, in particular, to the safeguarding policy and procedure which clearly informs them of any action the childminder may take if she has concerns about a child. Risk assessments are recorded and daily safety checks are carried This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out. All this ensures that there is a robust framework in place to support children's welfare. The childminder is vigilant in maintaining a current first aid certificate as is required and has recently completed an early years qualification as part of her ongoing efforts to provide as well as she can for the children she cares for and their families. She has not yet got a systematic approach to self-evaluation to fully ensure the continuous improvement of her practice, but she has identified

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the early years provision

elements that require improvement and to this end is planning to do food hygiene training, review how she assesses children's progress, purchase a fire ladder and attend refresher safeguarding training. She has acted on the recommendation made at her last inspection which has contributed towards her home being safer for children.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder has no children who are involved with other agencies or providers at the moment, she has a clear understanding of the need to work closely with them when necessary, as she does with parents, to ensure each child's continuity of care and learning. Parents are kept very well informed about the service offered and are especially encouraged to understand the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has enabled them to comment knowledgeably about their child's development progress as well as about their care. Parents speak very positively about, for example, the childminder's patience, enthusiasm, willingness to follow home routines and the range of experiences she gives their children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being looked after in a child-friendly home that is organised well to meet their needs. From the moment they walk in, they can see toys that they like and there are posters on the walls that are of interest to them and their parents. The childminder has plenty of toys and play resources to meet the needs of all the children. If children are particularly fond of certain toys, such as role play kitchen equipment, she makes sure that there is enough for them all to enjoy playing together with it at once. Children are able to enjoy playing with sand indoors easily because the childminder has a large sand tray set up in the kitchen. The garden offers plenty of space for children to run around and to take part in physical activities. Children's health and safety is taken seriously by the childminder. She provides meals made with fresh produce every day and the children take part in preparing them at whatever level they are able. For example, one child helps the

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and outcomes for children

childminder use a knife to cut up vegetables for soup whilst a younger one watches from a high chair and joins in with tasting pieces of carrot. Children each have their own towel to dry their hands on after they have washed them before, for example, they help with cooking. This helps towards them all developing good personal hygiene habits. Children are encouraged to behave safely because the childminder is firmly consistent about house rules related to safety as well as those that promote good behaviour. Children are supported to respect and value their own cultural backgrounds and those of others through a variety of activities such as food tasting, role play, and celebrating festivals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a range of activities that enable them to make good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress in all the areas of learning. Many of them are as a result of the children's own interests and wishes to play with certain toys and resources but the childminder plans regular outings for them to farms and nature areas where they can become familiar with animals, birds and plants and to adventure parks, which helps them develop their strength and confidence. These complement well their learning through domestic activities such as cooking and tidying. Children are keen to use the computer which is readily available to them and they use it from an early age because there are some touch screen programmes for them to use before they have the skills to manoeuvre the mouse accurately. This ensures they are becoming well-placed to use information technology in future. Children are

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and outcomes for children

able to express their creativity through, for example, dancing, playing real drum sets, making their own musical instruments, painting and making puppets. They meet up with others regularly, often in the park, which helps them learn to socialise. The childminder sometimes takes a parachute there for them to play games with which help them develop mathematical understanding in a fun way.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her observations of each child to identify their next steps and plan appropriately. However, she is not yet linking the observations closely enough to the early learning goals to enable her to plan fully accurate targets and challenges for them. Overall, children have a lot of fun whilst they play and learn and are developing good habits 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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