Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355435 Inspection date 11/11/2009 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged six and a half years in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. Play takes place on the ground floor and there is a bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age; of whom, three children may be in the early years age group. She currently minds one child in the early years age group and provides out of school care during term time only. There are schools and other amenities within walking distance. The family has a cat, a rabbit and goldfish as pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of her local childminding group.

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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 cared for in a warm and welcoming home, which is well resourced and fully promotes children's individual interests and needs. Most required documentation is in place and is maintained comprehensively. Partnerships with parents and other professionals involved with children are established and ensure continuity in the care and learning for children. Self evaluation is used reflectively to identify areas for improvement. These are prioritised well to drive forward improvements and ensure good practice is sustained.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that there is a system in place for undertaking risk assessments if children are taken on specific outings to places of interest.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively as the childminder understands her role and duty to protect children from harm. She knows the indicator signs of abuse and the procedure to follow to report concerns. She has all of the relevant guidance documents in place and has completed child protection training.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision very well so that when children arrive home from school the environment is warm and welcoming and her attention is focussed on the needs of the children. She encourages children to make their own choices about what they wish to play with and stores resources safely in accessible units to facilitate this. This is a very secure environment with consistent rules and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 expectations that children are familiar with, such as taking off their shoes when they enter the home. The childminder gives children clear instructions and is consistent and fair. She helps children to resolve any disagreements they may have with each other and promotes fairness. Risk assessments have been completed that identify possible hazards and minimise risks on the childminder's premises and school runs. However, risk assessments are not yet in place of other

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the early years provision

outings or places children may be taken, but this is because the childminder has only been minding for a very short period of time and children are only currently minded before and after school on a part-time basis. Effective safety measures and daily safety checks are undertaken by the childminder to ensure the continued safety of children and vigilant supervision further ensures children's safety and wellbeing. Equality and diversity is fully promoted as all children join in with play and contribute their ideas to planning activities. The childminder operates an equal opportunities policy and promotes anti-discriminatory practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well very organised and required documents are maintained for the safe and efficient management of her practice and to promote the well-being of the children in her care. The childminder identifies her strengths and areas for improvement through self-evaluation. She prioritises areas for improvement realistically and gives due consideration to those that have the most impact for children, for example fitting low level coat pegs. She has a good knowledge of early years care and education as she undertakes training and works in a school as a teaching assistant. She regularly completes observations of children and their interests and determines their next steps in learning. She maintains records of these to share with parents. Partnerships with parents/carers is promoted well as the childminder has daily discussions with parents about their child's care and development. She has established links with the reception teacher in the school

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the early years provision

that children attend and works closely in partnership to meet their needs. Most of the children's learning takes place in the school setting, however, the childminder knows the children well and provides them with complimentary, fun activities that are appropriate for the short time they are minded after school. The childminder successfully provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families through strategies such as obtaining detailed information about individual needs and taking notice of children's preferences.

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and outcomes for children

The children have a consistent routine with which they are familiar, both before and after school. This enables them to have a strong sense of belonging and trust in a family environment. Children are only minded for a short time before and after school. They arrive home happy and eager to get started, chatting about what they have done at school and what they want to do now. They make their own choices about what they want to play with, are happy and feel safe as they respond positively to the childminder. Children are very well supported by the childminder who helps them on the computer and gives lots of encouragement and praise. They are confident to express their feelings and give their ideas. Children play very well together and are making strong friendships. They enjoy the childminder joining in with them and listen and contribute well to discussions about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

activities, ideas and general things that are taking place such as the food they are eating, role play activities, looking at seeds they have dried and talking about what they are going to do with them. Children behave extremely well together and when any minor squabbles do occur, they are sorted out very quickly. Children are kind and helpful and listen very well to the childminder. Children are clearly very happy and relaxed in this setting, which provides them with homely care after their day at school.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is proactive in promoting children's health and wellbeing and helps them to develop healthy lifestyles. She takes good steps to ensure the children in her care remain healthy and free from cross-infection. Children are all aware of the importance of washing their hands before handling food and after using the toilet. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is able to deal with minor injuries of accidents. She maintains comprehensive records that she shares with parents including records of accidents that occur at school. Children know they are well cared for and that the childminder will help them if they are hurt or feel unwell. They enjoy fresh air and exercise when they visit the local park or play in the garden. Children benefit from the childminder’s clear knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. She has completed a food and hygiene qualification and children learn positive practice when they help with simple food

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and outcomes for children

preparation or observe how the childminders does things. Nutritious home-cooked meals are provided that take account of individual dietary needs and parents' wishes. The meals include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, smoothies made from the child's choice of fruits, and pasta dishes, for example. Meal times are happy and are a socially interactive time where the children sit comfortably at the dining room table with the childminder. They learn and display excellent manners and have rich conversations during their meal, which extend their learning, communication skills and sense of wellbeing. Children behave safely as they follow simple safety rules and are responsible. They know not to run around indoors and how to treat furniture and resources with respect. They learn about road safety and fire safety and fully understand the reason for following rules and taking care. They are reminded about sitting properly on their bottoms at the table and of

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and outcomes for children

being well-mannered. Children are developing a sense of responsibility and in doing so are learning skills for their future. 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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