Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396034 Inspection date 17/02/2010 Inspector Susan Andrews

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 one child, aged 18 months, on the outskirts of Hinckley in Leicestershire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age range who attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 3 childcare qualification. Schools, parks, shops and places of interest are within easy walking or driving distance.

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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 welcoming, safe environment for all children, which supports their welfare and ensures they are happy and secure in her care. Observation and assessment procedures are being developed to ensure that children's potential and individual needs are fulfilled. They make steady progress in their learning and development, having access to a wide range of toys and activities. The childminder forms positive relationships with parents, keeping them well-informed with a range of written policies and procedures that are used to safeguard children and promote their health and welfare. The childminder has a positive attitude to continuous improvement, embracing professional training and using some self-evaluation and reflective practice systems to improve her service to parents and the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop existing observation and assessment systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience, that covers all six areas of learning and is tailored to meet their individual needs  develop existing systems regarding self-evaluation and reflective practice to identify areas for ongoing improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She recognises the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what to do should she have any concerns. Security is good, and she ensures no unauthorised persons have access to the children in her care. An extensive range of written policies and procedures, as required by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), are in place to promote children's health, safety and welfare. Copies of all these documents, for example, safeguarding, behaviour management, equal opportunities and complaints procedures, are made readily available to parents. The childminder's home is suitably organised to ensure children are cared for in a safe, spacious environment, both indoors and out. Written risk assessments of the home, practice issues and outings help to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a varied range of spontaneous and planned activities which promote play and learning opportunities within the home and out in the community. The areas of the home used for childcare play purposes are well- organised, to allow children easy access to a good range of toys, equipment and resources. This encourages them to choose independently, allowing each child to follow their interests, spark their curiosity and imagination.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes good relationships with parents and carers, and is becoming aware of the importance of effectively liaising with others involved in the children's lives, such as local playgroups and the primary school. She establishes contractual agreements and gathers relevant information from parents about children's individual and additional needs at the time they place their child in her care. This forms the basis of an effective, two-way partnership. The childminder provides a caring and nurturing environment, using diaries to keep parents fully informed and talking to them each day about their children's experiences while at the setting. This promotes continuity of care and helps children to settle easily, enhancing feelings of security and supporting their development. The childminder promotes equality and diversity, and is developing resources that promote positive images regarding culture, gender and disability. She recognises that each child is

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the early years provision

unique and purposefully addresses children's individual needs to ensure no child is disadvantaged. She uses some self-evaluation and reflective practice systems to promote ongoing, continuous development of the service she provides and regularly reviews policies and procedural documentation regarding all aspects of her childcare service. The childminder embraces additional training opportunities to build on her professional qualifications, consequently, this extends her skills and knowledge which has a positive impact on the care she offers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. She is sensitive and attentive to their individual needs, and close, nurturing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relationships are being formed. The childminder draws on her professional childcare qualification, having a sound understanding of their interests and of the support children need to promote their learning and well-being. Observation and assessment strategies are in the early stages of development, and planning aspects to cover the six areas of learning are not fully effective, to build on what children have learned or to identify what they need to do next.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to be independent learners as they access and choose resources for themselves. They initiate their own play using, balls, cars, garage, train track, books and creative arts, such as, making collages. Where children are hesitant to engage in some activities, for example, cutting, gluing and sticking, the childminder offers encouragement and helps children to develop their attention span and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively supports early communication skills and she engages children in lively conversation. They belong to a local group where they enjoy singing and dancing to music, songs and rhymes from New Zealand, and have easy access to a selection of musical instruments, allowing them to experiment with rhythm and sound. They look at books together and use every day experiences to explore words, sounds and numbers. She encourages children to become curious and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world, as they develop the skills they need in order to secure future learning. They become familiar with their local and the wider community, through activities within the home. For example, recycling plastic and paper and they use toy and book library services. Children behave well, they are kind to one another, they learn to take turns, share their toys, play harmoniously with each other and family members and

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and outcomes for children

are beginning to understand how their behaviour affects others. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management, offering clear explanations with lots of praise and encouragement ,for example, saying 'well done' and 'good boy', which enhances their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe because they are confident that the childminder will nurture and protect them. The environment is free from hazards, and comprehensive risk assessments are conducted by the childminder, that take into account everything a child comes into contact with. Children are developing an awareness of their own safety as she practises fire evacuation procedures so that children know what is expected of them should a real emergency occur.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. Each day they have access to fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden, where they plant and tend sunflower seeds, or go to the park or nearby recreation areas. Good standards of hygiene are well-established and children wash their hands before eating, after playing outdoors, messy play or after using the toilet, and good explanations are given by the childminder to help children understand why hand washing is important. Healthy eating is promoted wherever possible with nutritious snacks to help balance and supplement the packed lunches provided by parents. Children build on their independence as they access fresh drinking water, which is made readily available from a chilled drinks dispenser. They are encouraged to take on additional fluids, particularly after physical exercise, to ensure they remain well- hydrated. The childminder gathers clear information from parents about children's

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 dietary needs, including preferences and any allergies, so that they can eat safely. The childminder keeps with her at all times a suitably equipped first aid kit, and that, coupled with her sound procedures, documentation, plus paediatric first aid qualification and knowledge, ensures that she can respond positively should a child have an accident or become unwell whilst in her care. 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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