Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330292 Inspection date 07/01/2010 Inspector Alison Putnar

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 12 and nine years, in the village of Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir. The home is within walking distance of local amenities. All areas of the property are used for childminding, although this mainly takes place on the ground floor with sleeping facilities within this area. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The property is accessed by steps. The family has a number of outdoor pets, including a dog, cat, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant and may care for a maximum of six children under eight-years-old. There are currently five children on roll attending part-time during the week, two children are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She has a vehicle for use and

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Description of the childminding

transports children to and from local schools. She 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

The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and homely environment for children, promoting their welfare. She develops detailed knowledge of each child and works closely with parents to ensure that individual care needs are fully met; methods for discussing children's development are emerging. The variety of activities provided in the home, garden and through local community provisions helps the children to make good progress in their learning. Methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are progressing well. The childminder evaluates her practice and demonstrates a strong commitment to ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand the safeguarding children policy to include procedures to follow in the event of any allegations being made about the provider or household members  extend the process of observing and recording children's progress, identifying next steps for children to work towards in each of the six areas of learning equally  involve parents in deciding next steps for children to work towards, improving systems for all to work together to help children reach their full potential. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and places high priority on promoting children's health and safety. She has a secure understanding of her responsibilities towards protecting children from abuse and neglect and describes the appropriate action to take if she has any concerns. Policies in relation to safeguarding children are in place and are shared with parents promoting a shared responsibility for keeping children safe, although some required details are missing. Household members are appropriately vetted ensuring their suitability to be around children. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments in relation to the physical environment, trips out and family pets. This ensures that the likelihood of accidents and injuries are reduced. The childminder supervises the children carefully and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. All of the necessary records and documentation are maintained,

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the early years provision

including registers of children's attendance, child information forms and parental consent forms. This ensures children receive continuity in their care and that parents' wishes are respected.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming and stimulating environment. A selection of toys are made available each day. The issue of storing toys accessibly is overcome through providing photographs of available toys and activities; as a result all children can make choices. For example, younger ones can point to the picture of the toy they would like if they are unable to voice their request. The garden is used very effectively to offer increasing learning opportunities and to enable children to benefit from the fresh air and physical exercise. Children have access to all of the ground floor, which enables young ones to rest undisturbed and for all children to have plenty of space to move around and play freely. The childminder organises her service to ensure that children receive individual attention appropriate to their needs. The flexible routines incorporate trips out to offer new experiences, such as sensitively introducing young ones to larger group activities

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the early years provision

when visiting a singing session or physical play session. Children regularly go out in the local area helping them to make sense of the world and their place within it. These opportunities and a selection of books and toys portraying positive images of diversity also enable younger ones to explore similarities and differences in the wider society. Older children take part in craft activities that encourage them to explore a variety of different cultural festivals and special events.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good relationships with parents, ensuring they are well informed about her policies, procedures and business arrangements before children start. Through effective sharing of information the childminder gains a good understanding of children's individual and changing needs and this enables her to promote their care and learning. Daily discussions and the use of written diaries include aspects of children's learning. The childminder shares her records of children's progress, photographs and examples of art work with parents, although she is less effective in seeking parents' views about next steps in development for children to work towards. The childminder is aware to develop links with other providers, such as the local nursery school, to enable all to work together to support the learning of children whose care is shared. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is proactive in seeking ways to maintain the good service and improve her practice. She takes onboard advice from relevant professionals, attends some training courses and extends her knowledge and understanding of up to date childcare practices through reading relevant literature. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed improving outcomes for children in terms of their safety and educational provision. The childminder adds to her toys and resources to meet the needs of the children she cares for.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They quickly become involved in purposeful play because the childminder provides a good range of toys and activities that interest them and are well matched to their age and abilities. The childminder observes the children during play and keeps records that show aspects of their progress towards the early learning goals. She is beginning to identify the next steps in learning, although these do not yet fully include all six areas of learning equally. Positively the childminder involves herself fully in children's play and draws out their learning by talking to them. For example, a child's interest in tractors is supported as a range of toy ones are provided. Through these the childminder introduces mathematical concepts by encouraging counting, comparing size and talking about the different colours. Children's language is developing well as the childminder maintains conversations and asks

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and outcomes for children

questions that interest the children and thus encourage an answer. Books and drawing materials are provided to support early literacy skills enabling children to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creatively is encouraged as they explore materials, such as glue and paint, and make their own creations. They develop their imagination when playing with small world toys such as the dolls' house and cars. Dressing up and home corner equipment enable children to recreate familiar scenes or to copy the actions of familiar children's characters. The childminder also plans themes carefully for the children so that they benefit from a broad and varied range of experiences. She includes outings in the local and wider community, indoor and outdoor play and lots of everyday experiences such as baking, feeding the ducks and playing in the snow. Through such activities children learn to count purposefully, to recognise colours and to appreciate the changing seasons. Children frequently explore aspects of nature and develop their knowledge and understanding of the world through growing vegetables, herbs and flowers in the garden. They care for the

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and outcomes for children

animals showing care and concern, feeding the baby lamb and chickens. They collect eggs and use them in baking activities exploring early science, investigating the changes of texture when mixing wet and dry ingredients and observing how things change after cooking. The childminder uses these activities to reinforce health and safety issues with the children as they take care to wash their hands before beginning the baking activity and talk about the dangers of the hot oven.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively reduces the spread of infection by maintaining a clean This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and hygienic environment and helping children follow good hand washing procedures. Children are developing a good understanding of how to deal with their own personal needs and are supported with issues such as toilet training. They benefit from the childminder's positive attitude to working with parents to support healthy eating. Meals, snacks and refreshments provided promote a balanced and nutritious diet. Children have good opportunities to be active, playing on equipment in the garden and visiting local parks and green spaces. They frequently walk in the local community and this, combined with discussions at school collection time is helping them learn about road safety. Good relationships are evident between the childminder and children, she encourages positive

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and outcomes for children

relationships between minded children and her own children, supporting younger ones social development of learning to share toys and cooperate with others. Children behave well in the setting and are sensitively helped to understand right from wrong through quiet and calm discussions. 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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