Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY218198 Inspection date 29/09/2009 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine years in the village of Barlestone, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the premises are easily accessible via a small flat path to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. Currently, there are seven children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy participating in a general range of activities that effectively promote most of the early learning goals. Children are safe and secure and protected through clear procedures and everyday practices. The childminder fosters strong partnerships with parents ensuring that children experience continuity and consistency of care. Effective links are forming with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, to further support their learning and development. The environment and activities are organised so that all children are able to fully participate. The system for monitoring and evaluating the provision is not yet fully effective as positive outcomes for children are not clearly identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase children's creativity by providing more opportunities for art, imaginative play, design and technology  improve children's knowledge, skills and understanding of the world around them by increasing opportunities for them to explore the natural environment and begin to know about their own culture and beliefs and those of others  develop the use of observations and assessments to identify the next steps in the children's learning  review the system for monitoring and evaluating the provision in order to prioritise areas for improvement  improve systems for recording children's attendance. 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 understands her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary and this means children are kept safe from harm. She has a child protection statement which underpins her practice and is shared with parents. The provision is suitably organised and the childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or to the suitability of adults. All documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children although daily attendance records do not always show the actual hours that some children attend. The childminder undertakes daily safety checks and children's risk of accidental injury is minimised as a risk assessment has been carried out on the premises, toys, equipment and outings to ensure that hazards are promptly identified and minimised.

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the early years provision

Strong relationships with parents exist and they provide good information regarding their children's individual interests and needs so that they receive continuity of care. The childminder gives verbal feedback each day which keeps parents informed of their child’s progress and they also have free access to their assessment records. The childminder has devised a range of written policies and procedures to promote children’s care, learning and well-being and parents receive their own copy. All required written parental consents have been obtained, ensuring children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and continues to forge links with these settings to ensure children are provided with appropriate levels of support.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development. However, the system for monitoring and evaluating the provision is not fully effective as positive outcomes for children are not clearly identified. The childminder has addressed all actions and recommendations raised at the previous inspection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound working knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. As a result, children make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals given their capability and starting points. Flexible plans are in place and they cover most areas of learning. However, limitations in the programme for creative play and knowledge and understanding of the world mean that children have insufficient opportunities to explore art, imaginative play, design and technology and improve their knowledge and understanding of the natural environment, their own culture and beliefs and those of others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has begun to make observations of children in their play and records these in their assessment records. However, the information gained from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations is not used to identify the next steps in the children's learning and as a result they may not be appropriately challenged. Children enjoy their activities and warm and caring relationships with the childminder are evident. The childminder provides a relaxed environment where each child is valued. Frequent praise and encouragement helps children to feel good about themselves and raises their self- esteem. Children are encouraged to play co-operatively because the childminder helps children to build relationships and develop their social skills. They enjoy being independent as they help themselves to some toys and resources that are placed at low level and older children attend to their personal needs

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and outcomes for children

Children chat readily with the childminder who responds appropriately, she repeats and models key words to promote their language development. They enjoy opportunities to develop early writing skills and cuddle close to her when looking at books and listening to stories. The childminder develops children’s learning by introducing mathematical concepts such as counting and colour recognition in their play and children learn problem solving skills as they work out how to complete jigsaw puzzles. They have plenty of fresh air, walking to and from school and to the next village where they look at the animals in the field and talk about the butterflies they see on the way. These simple activities lay the foundations to support the children’s future economic well-being and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder welcomes all children to her setting and demonstrates a positive approach to ensuring children's additional learning and development needs are met. For example, she works in partnership with parents, gaining valuable information about children's starting points to inform her practice. Suitable procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication and the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid qualification. She provides a safe home for children to play in. Children develop a good understanding of how to stay safe because of discussions about road and fire safety. The childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines, praising them for washing their hands independently. Children are offered a wide range of healthy meals and snacks and the childminder gathers clear information from parents about children’s

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and outcomes for children

dietary requirements and this ensures children can eat safely. They are helped to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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