Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 225751 Inspection date 26/02/2010 Inspector Lynn Dent

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 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and three children two of whom are adults in Market Harborough in Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor including toilet facilities of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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 to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding 14 children, of whom six are in the early years age range and five are over the age of eight years.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group, takes children to the toy library and to the park. 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 good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans a wide range of activities that promote children’s learning and development. Clear monitoring and assessment systems are in place and show that children are making good progress. Information regarding parental responsibility of the child is detailed in some of the children's records. Close working relationships with parents ensures that information about the children is shared daily. Excellent partnerships with the local playgroup ensure that consistency is promoted for the children who attend both settings. The childminder has effective systems in place to help self-evaluate her service and identify areas for improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure that information regarding who has parental responsibility for the child is in place for all children  extend the equal opportunities policy to include supporting children with special educational needs and / or disabilities  improve the arrangements in place to further determine children's starting points across all areas of learning so their strengths and interests can be built on. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children’s welfare is maintained because the childminder can identify the indicators of abuse and neglect and confidently explains how she would implement local safeguarding procedures when necessary. All adults living on the premises have undergone checks to confirm their suitability to be with children. The childminder is mindful of children's safety at all times. As a result she carries out risk assessments of the home, resources, everyday outings such as walking to school, and the shops, and for visits to local places of interest. The effective organisation of the home and resources means that children play in a secure and welcoming environment where they can safely access a good range of toys and resources. Babies benefit because they have a safe, quiet place to rest or sleep.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents at induction to ensure that she has the information required to meet the welfare needs and routines for the children, although information regarding who has parental responsibility is not identified for some of the children. An informal discussion about the children’s learning and development takes place at induction, but does not necessarily cover all the areas of learning and is not reflected in their developmental records. As a result the childminder may not have all the information to hand to fully build on what the children already know and can do. The childminder carries out her own monitoring and assessment procedures and spends time each day observing children. This information is used to keep a record of their achievements and the next steps in their learning and development. Consequently, children are making good progress overall and older/more able children are making very good progress in some areas.

p.5

the early years provision

Excellent partnership arrangements mean that the childminder and local playgroup share information about the children and what they are learning. For example, children have been learning about different occupations at play group. The childminder has promoted this in her own setting by developing role play so that children could become doctors. They also posted letters in the local post box for collection by the postal worker. The two parties also share their own records of the children's development and learning which also very effectively promotes consistency for the children involved.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder updates her written policies and procedures annually and implements these well, effectively underpinning children's welfare, learning and development. Most written policies are detailed with the exception of the policy for equal opportunities which does not include how the childminder would support children with special educational needs and / or disabilities. Therefore, this is not clear. Parents receive a detailed prospectus so that they understand the service provided and how the childminder works. Good systems including collecting the opinions of parents through a questionnaire help the childminder to reflect upon her provision. This enables her to identify her strengths and areas for development. As a result the childminder can explain how she would like her service to further develop. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have an excellent understanding of how to maintain their good health. They routinely wash their hands. Older children clearly explain that they do this to keep their tummy from becoming poorly. They enjoy healthy snacks such as fruit and develop an understanding of healthy eating because the childminder promotes this. Children are effectively protected from germs because the childminder provides individual towels for each child. She does not provide care for children who are infectious and insists on an exclusion period of 24 hours following gastric illnesses. The childminder has updated her first aid qualification and records show that children receive the appropriate first aid following minor accidents. Clear procedures means that medicine is administered in accordance with parents wishes and the sharing of records with them protects children from the risk of overdose.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from regular exercise such as walking to and from school and playing in the garden. They learn about the changing seasons as they explore the environment when away form the home. The childminder clearly explains that children benefit from attending the local childminding groups because they have the opportunity to socialise with other children. As a result they develop harmonious relationships with their friends and this is seen to continue in the childminder's home as the children play together for sustained periods of time. Children develop their independence because the childminder sets small steps for them to achieve and is available to support them in their personal care. Children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because this is promoted through play and everyday routines. For example, children are talking about how their toy train is 'cold'; this statement is used to develop a discussion

p.6

and outcomes for children

about how steam trains are powered and that the steam and engine would be hot. Children regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure and how to cross the road safely.

p.6

and outcomes for children

All children are involved in the setting because the childminder spends time effectively interacting with them, listening to what they say and encouraging them to make choices about what to play with. The childminder can explain how she adapts her planned activities to meet the individual needs of the children which promotes inclusive practice. Children learn to respect those who may be different to themselves by celebrating different festivals throughout the year. Children show good behaviour because the childminder is a positive role model for this and promotes sharing.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder uses play experiences that children initiate well to encourage them to think critically and solve problems. For example, children are tying their toy vehicles together to tow them, the childminder engages them in discussion about the length of the string and they compare this to the length of a toy crocodile, a book and the child. Babies are confidently babbling and using simple words as they play such as 'horse' and 'click' as they play with a toy horse. Older children can identify a range of letters and sounds including the initials of their own and the childminder's name. The childminder further supports this as the children throw a hand wipe into the bin and correctly identify that bin begins with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 'B'. Children can sort coins by their denomination and identify simple shapes. They understand about life cycles and show this as they explain that caterpillars become

p.6

and outcomes for children

butterflies. Overall the effective interaction by the childminder means that children are confident in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9