Childminder in LeicestershireOfsted inspection, 22 Dec 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225679 Inspection date 22/12/2009 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son on the outskirts of Market Harborough in Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, including toilet facilities, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding five children, of whom four are in the early years age range and one is aged eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group and takes children to the local parks. The family has a pet dog and a rabbit.

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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 effectively implements the Early Years Foundation Stage for the benefit of the children. Good systems allow the childminder to monitor and record most children's achievements and learning priorities. Children benefit from inclusive practice enabling them to fully participate in the experiences provided. Daily routines do not always promote children's good health. The childminder has implemented systems to review her practice showing a commitment to continuous improvement. Good working relationships with parents and other settings that children attend ensure that information about children's needs and development are shared.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve hygiene routines with children; this is with regard to washing hands before eating snacks  develop further the arrangements for observing and assessing all children to identify their achievements and the next steps in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands the indicators of abuse and neglect and can explain how to report concerns for their safety and welfare. Children's safety is promoted both within the home and when on routine walks and visiting local places of interest because the childminder has secure methods in place and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carries out risk assessments for the premises, resources, walks to and from school and for a variety of outings. All adults living on the premises have undergone check for their suitability to be with children.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a well-resourced and stimulating environment which effectively supports their learning and development. The childminder takes good account of individual's interests such as providing computer programs that they enjoy. Children are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder observes what they are doing and uses her observations well to take account of and plan for their individual needs. For example, she adapts a number activity to encourage younger children to count to three and older and more able children to count to 20. However developmental records are not yet fully in place for all children. Consequently, these do not reflect their overall progress.

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the early years provision

Records required for the childminding business are clear and are kept up to date. Clear written policies are regularly updated and shared with parents. As a result they understand the service provided. The childminder develops good relationships with parents which help to promote a sense of trust. Relevant information is shared ensuring that the individual needs of the children are known and met. The childminder keeps parents up to date with information about their child’s achievements through discussions and the sharing of their developmental records. The childminder works effectively with other professionals involved with the children in her care. Conversations with the local pre-school and school staff include sharing information about the children's development and learning. Consequently, consistency is promoted for the benefit of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken positive action to meet the recommendation from the last inspection ensuring that parents understand her responsibility for the protecting the children's welfare. The childminder shows willingness to improve her service and has systems in place to help her self-evaluate her provision, these include obtaining verbal feedback from parents and talking to children about their play preferences. As a result she can identify and amend her practice accordingly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the childminder's care because they receive cuddles and effective interaction in their play. They are imaginative, showing this as they pretend to make breakfast for their friends. Children's language skills are developing well because the childminder spends time talking to them about what they are doing and asking them questions. They are inquisitive and happily engage with the childminder as they share a book about sea creatures and then find these from a story sack she has made. The childminder uses this activity to effectively help children learn in different areas. For example, they talk about what each creature looks like, where it lives, how many legs it has and how it moves. Children have a good phonetic knowledge, this means that they can identify a range of letters and sounds and can accurately link these to a range of pictures on a computer game, such as 'm' for motorbike or moon. Each child's towel has the

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 initial letter of their name embroidered on to it so that they can identify these.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of mathematical concepts is promoted through everyday events such as looking for numbers on doors to houses and deciding what shape they would like their toast to be. Children benefit from the homely environment, where their good behaviour is encouraged and recognised. For example, praising the children for helping to tidy away toys.

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and outcomes for children

Their independence is fostered as they manage their own toileting skills and learn about healthy practices such as washing their hands during the daily routines. However, on the day of inspection children did not wash their hands before eating their snack. Therefore, on this occasion their good health was not fully protected. Children learn about healthy eating because the childminder promotes this and provides nutritious meals and snacks.

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and outcomes for children

Daily opportunities are provided for children to benefit from fresh air and exercise. This includes walking to and from school, using the local parks and other outdoor venues. Children understand about keeping safe because they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and learn to cross the road safely. All children feel valued because the childminder promotes inclusive practice which ensures that all children are equally involved in the experiences and play opportunities provided. Children develop an understanding of different languages and cultures as they look at dual-language books and participate in craft experiences related to different events throughout the years. They learn about sustainability because they help the childminder to recycle plastic bottles at the local recycling facility. 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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