Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390246 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, three and two years in Wyken, Coventry. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The setting is accessed via a level driveway and one step up into the setting.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years of age at any one time. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder recognises and nurtures their interests and individuality. She has good systems in place to work effectively with parents to secure knowledge of children's individual needs. She has a generally good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage but the arrangement for initial assessment is not fully effective to inform planning. She has clear policies and procedures in place and a system to monitor and evaluate her practice. Partnerships with others who share the learning and care are being developed to provide a sound basis to securing better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the assessment arrangements and record what the children know and understand when they first start at the setting  develop further the links with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers who share the care and education of children at the setting.

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded because the childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues. She understands her role in safeguarding and the procedures she must follow if she were to have a concern about a child in her care. She knows of her responsibility to ensure that all people living in the house This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are appropriately vetted. She carries out risk assessments on all areas of the premises and for outings to ensure children receive a good standard of care inside and outside the home environment. These measures help children to feel safe and secure.

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the early years provision

She has strong relationships with children and their parents and carers and is in the process of developing further the partnerships with other agencies who share the learning and care of the children to ensure an inclusive service is offered. She has a good awareness of the children's individual needs which means they receive appropriate support. The childminder's practice is underpinned by clear written policies, procedures and records and these are shared with parents. Parents also receive daily updates detailing their children's routines and activities. This has a positive impact on children's good health and general welfare.

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the early years provision

Currently, the system to record what the child knows and understands when they first start with the childminder is limited. However, there are regular sensitive observations and assessments undertaken to help plan a stimulating range of activities to progress children’s learning. This ensures purposeful play and exploration opportunities are promoted which in turn helps children to make good progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improving her practice through attending training events. She has systems to self-evaluate her service and is using a written self- evaluation document to record her strengths and areas for improvement. She is constantly looking at ways to improve her practice. For example, she explores ways of extending the range of resources to promote diversity and equality. This demonstrates a positive outlook to continual improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy and respond well to the individual time and attention they receive from the childminder. She has a generally good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and a good awareness of what activities children like and what is of interest to them. She uses this knowledge appropriately to ensure they access the resources that support and extend their learning. For example, some children enjoy playing with trucks and small vehicles on the play mat. To extend their understanding of rotation and wheels and ‘things that go round’ she arranged a trip to the transport museum so children could experience this first hand. Children thoroughly enjoy being in the outdoor environment and this resource is fully exploited. For example, they investigate mini-beasts, collect cones and conkers, ride on push-along toys, explore in the playhouse, climb and run and laugh and kick balls. Children are gaining an good

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and outcomes for children

understanding of the elements of a healthy lifestyle as they play outdoors regularly in the fresh air.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s profiles show how well they are progressing and assessments on all six areas of learning are undertaken to support future planning. Children explore a good range of battery operated resources and sensory toys to support their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. They participate in activities to develop fine skills. For example, with play dough they enjoy rolling and making shapes. They are also reminded not to lick the dough as it is salty. The childminder is skilled in supporting children’s communication and language development. She introduces vocabulary, numbers, colours and shapes to children during their play. This reinforces their learning in a relaxed way.

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and outcomes for children

All children are included and valued. They have good opportunities to learn about themselves and others through planned activities and a range of resources available to them which reflect diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder increases children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they take part in regular emergency evacuations and she talks to them about not throwing toys out of the playhouse. She reinforces acceptable behaviour through basic rules which encourage younger children to share, play cooperatively and to ‘have a little swap around’. This enables all children to be treated fairly and to respect the needs of others.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene practices help to minimise the risk of cross-infection in this setting. For example, children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene and children reminded to wash their hands before they eat. Parents prefer to provide a packed lunch for their children and the childminder provides a range of healthy snacks and ensures drinking water is always readily available. They have their own drinking beakers which gives them a sense of belonging. 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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