Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 209201 Inspection date 09/11/2009 Inspector Anne Barnsley

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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 1996. She lives in a detached house in Spalding within walking distance of primary schools, nurseries and the town centre. Other members of the household include her two adult sons. She is registered to care for six children, of whom four may be in the early years age group due to an agreed variation to her registration. There are currently 11 children on roll, of whom four children are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children are cared for mainly on the ground floor with sleeping facilities provided in an upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and meets regularly with other childminders.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a stimulating and inclusive environment in which they make rapid progress towards the early learning goals. Learning is tailored to their individual needs by an extremely knowledgeable childminder. Effective partnerships with parents and other professionals are in place, which provides continuity in children's learning and makes them feel secure. The childminder is highly committed to improvement and uses reflective self evaluation to prioritise and drive forward improvements to the service she provides. She is aware of any minor areas to improve in her provision such as developing the outdoor area further.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop children's learning further about some features of living things by extending opportunities for them to participate in growing activities

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder completes and updates child protection and safeguarding training as part of her ongoing professional This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. She is extremely knowledgeable about the signs that would alert her to a child at risk and has comprehensive policies and procedures in place to keep children safe. She keeps herself up to date with contemporary safeguarding issues and ensures that parents are provided with leaflets that reflect any changes to legislation so that they are fully aware of her duty to protect children. Children are supervised extremely well and are never left with anyone who has not been vetted. Security and safety measures in the home are highly effective and keep children safe without reducing their freedom and opportunity to explore and investigate their environment. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has

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the early years provision

robust systems in place to promote children's safety. She has completed comprehensive risk assessments and undertakes daily checks to ensure that all areas of the home are safe for use. All outings are also risk assessed and every child is provided with a high visibility vest for their safety. The childminder ensures that children understand simple rules that develop their understanding of safety and that they participate in fire drills and road safety activities to consolidate their learning and help them to become independently responsible.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly reflective about her practice and the service she provides. She has met the recommendation that was raised at the last inspection by fully embracing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and implementing this to an exceptional standard. She uses self evaluation effectively as a working tool and from this prioritises areas for improvement according to those that have the greatest impact on children, for example, her long term project to extend her patio area and install an all weather outdoor shelter to promote greater opportunities for outdoor play. She continuously monitors her provision and fully involves the children and parents in this process by seeking their views through discussions and meaningful questionnaires. She is fully committed to improving her own knowledge and expertise and keeps current with new initiatives in childcare. She undertakes a wealth of diverse training and has a training plan in place to drive improvements

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the early years provision

forward. Since her last inspection she has also gained her level 4 qualification in Children's Learning and Development and the National Childminding Association (NCMA) Quality First level 3 award. She uses her knowledge well in the community by working as a peer leader in her local children's centre and with Home Start. She provides support and delivers a wide range of activities for service users. She also promotes the facility to other childminders and members of the community so that more children can participate in the activities and use the resources.

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the early years provision

The policies and procedures that are required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are all in place and are comprehensive and extremely well presented. They provide parents with a clear vision of the setting and the care and learning they can expect for their child. The childminder operates an equal opportunities policy with emphasis on promoting inclusion and anti discriminatory practice. Her organisation, resources and knowledge of equality and diversity fully reflect these policies and translate them effectively into practice. She has excellent systems in place, which promote purposeful engagement with parents and include them fully in their child's care and learning. Informative and extremely well organised assessments are shared regularly with parents so they can see their child's progress in the areas of learning. A highly effective method has been set up so that parents contribute their views about their child's progress through home

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the early years provision

reports, which are included in their child's assessment records. These significantly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contribute to ensuring continuity in each child's learning and development towards their next steps. The partnership with parents is exceptionally strong and all parents comment favourably through the quality assurance questionnaires about the progress their child is making. They commend the childminder for the quality of the service she provides. Further to this the childminder has established consistent links with other settings that children attend. She works very closely with these professionals to identify any gaps in a child's learning and to support them and move them forward with appropriate levels of challenge, which ensures that they have a continuous experience.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides children with a stimulating and exciting environment in which they thrive. This is an extremely well resourced setting with a large, well organised playroom that leads directly into the garden for free flow outdoor play. Children use the garden regularly, although, there is currently limited opportunity for children to participate in growing and digging activities. Indoors toys are stored so that all areas of learning are covered and children can self select and make independent choices. Due to the quantity of toys available some are stored in the garage and are rotated from time to time to add extra dimension and variety to children's experiences. To ensure that children have the opportunity to access everything the childminder has photograph albums of all the toys so that children who can not yet talk, speak English as a second language or have special needs

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and outcomes for children

can show what they would like to play with and this can be brought in for them. For children who can read she also has files of all the additional board games, DVDs, videos and jigsaw puzzles that are stored in the garage so that they can make their choices if they want something specific. Children are fully included in this setting and positively contribute to how things are organised and planned. All children have regular discussions with the childminder about things they enjoy and things they feel did not work so well. Where possible children complete questionnaires and provide the childminder with feedback on planned activities and outings and what aspects they enjoyed most.

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and outcomes for children

All play and learning is based round children's natural interests, which is established through purposeful observations from the onset of their attendance and meaningful planning that centres around the areas of learning. The childminder skilfully interacts with children as they play and talks to them in ways that bring learning to life and make it fun. Children enjoy being with the childminder and they chat openly, asking questions and responding to questions that the childminder asks. The childminder has in-depth knowledge of each child's stage of development and progresses them to their next step in learning through activities that are interesting and provide memorable experiences for children. Some examples of this are extending children's understanding of jobs people do to help keep us safe and well. To support children's learning in this area and to make their learning come to life the childminder arranged visits to the local hospital

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and outcomes for children

where children met the radiologist and were shown the equipment that takes photographs of their bones. They also met with the police and the lollipop person. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop their understanding of simple mathematical concepts, size, measure, shape and comparison through extended activities such as going to the shoe shop. During this visit the children compared the shoes, measured each others feet with the shoe gauge and tape measure, they counted their toes and compared who had the biggest feet. Afterwards they made different footprints in the rain and discussed the differences in these. Learning in this setting is very much extended by trips into the community and through practical experiences that develop children's future skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children visit the local children's centre every week and join in with planned music and dance sessions. They have outings to Sandringham House, the beach and a Chinese restaurant every year to contribute to their understanding of their environment and the wider world. They visit pet centres and nature reserves where they learn about animals, habitats, plants and natural resources. They have glove puppets of certain animals and birds that they use in their role play as part of the activity and they have a wide range of natural recourses such as pine cones, pumice stones and corks to use in their play. Children participate in fund raising events such as Operation Christmas Child where they fill shoe boxes for children in other countries who may have nothing. They also take part in Red Nose Day and Children in Need and learn about people less fortunate than themselves. Children develop a very good understanding of valuing differences. They have a wide range

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and outcomes for children

of resources that promote equality and diversity including children's crutches which they use to understand how skilful the child must be to use these and what it feels like.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted as they enjoy snacks of fruit and always have easy access to drinks. They participate in activities about 'five a day' and understand healthy choices and the reason for these. Children follow good hygiene procedures, such as hand washing and use individual towels to prevent cross contamination effectively. They understand the need for simple rules, such as sharing and taking turns and respond well to praise which shows their behaviour has been acknowledged. Children in this setting are extremely well prepared for future success as they are confident, independent learners who know how to work with others. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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