Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337569 Inspection date 24/03/2010 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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 2006. She lives with her three children in Welton, Lincolnshire. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and the fully enclosed garden is suitable for outdoor play. The family has two guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after five children, two of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is respected and promoted because the childminder recognises and supports the uniqueness of each child. Children enjoy participating in a suitable range of activities and play experiences, which help them to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder implements clear policies and procedures to safeguard children and promote their welfare. Children's continuity of care and learning is promoted through the childminder developing generally good links with parents, carers and other providers. The childminder has worked on the recommendations raised at the last inspection, to help improve outcomes for children. However, her current system of self- evaluation has yet to be further developed to effectively promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observations are linked to the expectations of the early learning goals use observations and assessments to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals and to identify and plan for individual children's next steps for learning  develop a continuous cycle of self-evaluation to identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home which is well-maintained, safe and secure. Toys and resources are well-organised to create an accessible environment for all children. Risk assessment procedures are in place and used to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identify and minimise potential hazards. The childminder's clear awareness of child protection procedures and her good supervision of children, further contributes to safeguarding children from potential harm. Children's well-being is also protected at all times through the childminder maintaining a current first aid certificate.

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the early years provision

All necessary records, policies and procedures are in place, completed with the required information, shared with parents and used to promote children's welfare. The childminder has developed her provision by working on the recommendations raised at the previous inspection, which has helped to improve outcomes for children. However, the childminder's system of self-evaluation is in the initial stages of development and therefore, it is not yet fully robust enough to continually identify clear targets for further improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder works generally well with parents, carers and other providers. Information is shared and exchanged to ensure each child is supported in line with their individual needs and backgrounds. This results in all children feeling valued and included. Parents comment positively about the childminder's service, stating that she provides fun and educational activities for their children, that she is patient and caring, that there is a good choice of toys and creative experiences to enhance children's learning, that it is a safe environment, and that their children are excited to go everyday. The childminder is also beginning to develop links with other providers to provide an integrated approach to children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is maintained through the childminder's clear practices and procedures. For example, policies relating to health and safety and exclusion periods, all contribute to minimising the spread of infection. Also, clear outing procedures are adhered to, where children learn to respect the childminder's boundaries relating to safety issues. This helps to keep them safe from harm. Children's awareness of maintaining their own health and safety is further promoted through discussions, activities and regular practices. For example, children develop good hand washing practises as part of the daily routine and through practising emergency evacuation procedures, children learn the importance of not stopping to collect their personal belongings as they exit the premises. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles through regular exercise and a healthy diet. They are involved in planning the weekly menu as

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and outcomes for children

they each request a specific favourite meal to include. The childminder then oversees the menu to ensure children receive a balanced diet in line with their dietary requirements. Drinks are freely accessible to children at all times, to ensure their needs are met. Children's good behaviour is promoted through the childminder using positive strategies, which promote their self-esteem. They are encouraged to develop good social skills through being polite, using good manners and playing co-operatively with their peers. Children learn to value differences and diversity through the childminder acting as a positive role model and through discussions and play experiences which are planned around topical themes and events which children show an interest in. This provides an appropriate foundation for children's continued learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care as they enjoy playing in the designated play room where they access a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Children's photographs and art work are displayed around the room, providing each child with a sense of ownership and belonging. Children have fun as they participate in an appropriate range of activities, which are planned around their interests and requests. However, the childminder has yet to fully develop her observation and assessment systems in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children are making progress in all areas and their next steps for learning are identified and planned for. Children benefit from regular outdoor play in the garden and at the park, where their physical skills are adequately promoted. They develop

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and outcomes for children

their fine manipulative skills as they build towers out of bricks, and when using scissors and cutters when playing with the play dough. The childminder provides opportunities for children to count and sort items into size, shape and colour, enabling them to appropriately develop their problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Children have access to an appropriate range of information, communication and technology toys and resources, which they use to support their learning. Children enjoy looking at books and they have access to pencils, paper and other water based drawing materials, which they use to develop their mark- making skills. The childminder engages in play with the children and she uses appropriate questioning techniques to help them learn through their play experiences and become active, communicative learners. 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 3 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 3

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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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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