Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY395115 Inspection date 18/12/2009 Inspector Sheena Gibson

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2009. She lives with her husband, who is also her assistant and her child who is eight years old. She lives in Kegworth, Derbyshire, close to local shops, schools and parks. The home is accessed via two small steps up to the front door and there are some steps in the garden. The whole of the downstairs area is used for children with toilet facilities, the bathroom and fourth bedroom upstairs are also registered.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently there are three children on roll all of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The family has a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of children's individual needs and so they are appropriately cared for. Systems for supporting their learning are in a developmental stage but even so children make sufficient progress. Children are safe and secure within the home environment and when out in the local community due to positive steps taken by the childminder. Partnerships with parents and in the wider context are, on the whole, successful in supporting children. Systems for evaluation and plans for future improvement are generally supportive of the overall outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 use observations to effectively inform planning and to ensure that children make progress in relation to their starting point.  develop further systems for partnership working so that parents and others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage are effectively involved with children's care and learning  improve systems for evaluating practice in order to benefit the outcomes for children.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are appropriately and effectively safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of issues relating to child protection to ensure that children are safeguarded. For example, she is aware of possible signs and indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns. All adults in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau and the childminder closely supervises the children at all times. The home environment is safe for children, assured by the detailed risk assessments carried out by the childminder. Outings are also risk assessed and steps are taken to keep children safe when out in the community. The childminder has undertaken the required pre-registration and first aid course. She has a positive ambition for her provision and has taken steps to further her knowledge and skills through, for example, volunteering at a

p.4

the early years provision

local school. Although, her systems for evaluation are still in the early stages and so not fully effective, she has begun to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form and identify some areas for further improvement in order to effectively support the outcomes for children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has developed the required documentation and this is well maintained, including suitable complaints and safeguarding policies. She has regular informal communication with parents so that children's ongoing needs are appropriately met and obtains the required information from parents at the time of placement in order to support children's care and wellbeing. This contributes to them having a satisfactory involvement with their child's care. However, systems for sharing information with parents are not fully effective. For example, parents do not have free access to the childminder's policies and procedures and are not fully involved with child's learning. Therefore, they may not be completely aware of factors that impact upon their child. The childminder has a positive attitude towards working in partnerships in the wider context, although, has not yet forged strong links with other providers.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder suitably promotes equality and diversity. Her setting is inclusive and she takes positive steps to help all children to be part of the provision. She has developed and implements an Equal Opportunities policy. There are some resources available for children to play with that depict positive images of different people, which helps children to understand about the diversity of society and contributes to good citizenship. The management and deployment of resources means that all children are able to access a sufficient range of toys and activities.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder is warm and welcoming to the children, which helps them to be able to feel safe and secure. She has a satisfactory understanding about how children develop and how to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage and, therefore, they make sufficient progress. She has begun to undertake simple observations on the children in order to support their progress. However, the information gained is not effectively used to inform planning to ensure that children's potential is maximised and they are advancing at a good rate in relation to their starting point. Even so, there is a sufficient range of opportunities to support children in making suitable progress and they are very keen to participate. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy and confident in the home environment as they move around the room choosing what they want to play with. The childminder interacts nicely with them, sitting on the floor so that

p.5

and outcomes for children

she is able to support the young children's play. The environment is homely with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clean, appropriate, domestic furniture and equipment and for children to be able to feel comfortable and a suitable range of toys from which children make independent choices, promoting active learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are becoming very independent. They are learning to dress and undress, taking off their coat and shoes. As they move through the house the childminder talks to them about familiar things such as a pair of new boots and what they have been doing before she collected them, the open questioning effectively promoting their language and thinking skills. Their early numeracy is supported as they play a game. The children capably work out how to put pieces together and they use positional language such as 'forwards' and 'backwards', they also discuss the colours of the marbles. During the game children are encouraged to count the number of marbles they have. Children are learning to treat living things kindly. The family cat is a favourite with children and has a mutually beneficial relationship with them as it enjoys the attention from gentle children. They have opportunities to use simple technology when playing with an electronic story book. The story is

p.6

and outcomes for children

Thomas the Tank Engine and children enjoy finding the different sized and coloured engines, using the 'pen' to make choices. They also listen to a musical program, choosing different instruments and listening to the sounds that they make. Children have sufficient opportunities to be active and develop physically through, for example, visiting the local park. They are able to be creative, developing their own ideas with different media such as pencil crayons and gel pens.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder talks to the children and also listens to their views, adopting their preferences or explaining why they cannot do something. She helps them to understand and respect everyone and as a result they realise that their view counts and that they are making a positive contribution. She successfully promotes constructive behaviour by using effective strategies such as giving clear, simple explanations, with self-esteem being fostered through praise and being sensitive to their individual personalities. Spontaneous discussions with parents result in a suitable exchange of information about children's learning and progress. Parents are able to view and comment on their child's diary, which helps to promote consistency for children.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably supported and they gain an early understanding about being healthy from activities and routines, for example, hand washing before meals and they regularly take exercise such as walking or going to the park. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. Children are able to feel safe through the warm relationship they have with the childminder. They are learning the importance of keeping themselves and each other safe through routine activities. For example, they practise the emergency evacuation procedures so they are fully aware of what to do in the event of an emergency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8