Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY271168 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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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 has been registered since October 2003. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 12 years in Crowle, near Scunthorpe. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in Childminding Practice. The childminder often works with two other childminders. When working alone registration is for six children and when working with one other childminder for eight children, or with two other childminders for 10 children. There are currently 26 children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Rooms on the ground floor and upstairs of the home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Overnight care is offered for three children. The family have a pet goldfish, dog and guinea pig.

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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 supportive setting where their individual needs are recognised and fully met, and they mostly make good progress in their development and learning. All aspects of children's welfare are successfully promoted and safeguarding procedures are given a high priority. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and other providers children attend where information is freely shared. The childminder is keen to improve her service by evaluating current practice and attending courses. All of the recommendations raised at the last inspection have been successfully addressed and the childminder shows a good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop understanding of planning for the next steps in children's learning.

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the early years provision

There are a good range of well organised documents, policies and procedures that support the smooth running of the childminding service. The childminder has a clear understanding of the safeguarding children policy and can recognise the signs and symptoms that may cause her concern. She is aware of who to contact should there be any concerns about individual children. Within the hallway of the home, there is a wealth of information including a compliment and complaints procedure that parents are made aware of. There is a thorough risk assessment of the areas children use, including for overnight stays. Daily safety checks take place involving the children, so this helps their understanding of safety issues. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder makes sure the premises are secure both during the day and at night. The facilities for overnight care are very good and children sleep very close to the

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the early years provision

The enthusiastic and hard working childminder has a good attitude towards ongoing improvement. She attends training whenever possible, for example, in the Early Years Foundation Stage and has made improvements since the last inspection, including providing additional resources and reviewing her policies and procedures. Along with her co-childminders she evaluates the provision and gains feedback from parents through discussion and completed questionnaires. Children are involved in the evaluation process by completing pictures about what they like to play with at the childminder's home.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs and starting points are assessed with parents at enrolment. All allergies and dietary needs are recorded and met. The childminder has a good range of toys, including play people and books that reflect positive images of disability and difference in our society. She also teaches children about some cultural festivals, such as Diwali. Most areas of the home are used for childminding purposes, giving children very good choices as they play. They can choose to play in a comfortable lounge, conservatory, dining room or bedroom. These rooms are arranged to effectively support children's play in a number of areas, for example, the conservatory is particularly good for promoting imaginative play and the dining room for creative play. Children choose from a very wide range of good quality toys and play materials. The three childminders who work together communicate effectively and work well as a team. They know all of the children as

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the early years provision

individuals and this means that close relationships are in place and children are happily settled and content.

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the early years provision

The information available to parents regarding children's routines and the activities undertaken is good. Parents are informed about their children's progress through daily discussions, telephone conversations, emails with photographs, newsletters and by seeing children's written observations. Parents are very happy with and complimentary about the childminding service; they feel it is a happy and relaxed atmosphere with high standards where children are excited to attend. The childminder takes children to the local school and she makes sure she has shared her observations with the school. The childminder is aware of what the children are doing at school and tries to work on specific areas, such as encouraging reading.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They take part in a variety of interesting experiences both indoors and outdoors and in the locality. Children's interests are used as a starting point for the planning of activities. The childminder undertakes observations as children play, but is not always fully aware of how to identify the next steps in their learning without the help of one of her co- childminders. Close relationships between the childminder and the children are apparent; children happily come to the childminder with their arms up for a cuddle. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This helps children to be completely settled and happy to attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an active time in the childminder's home. They used a good range of equipment in the garden including a swing, slide and seesaw. There is also a trampette, bouncy castle, ball pool, sit and ride toys and a range of small equipment, such as bats and balls. The childminder also takes children to various activity centres, toddler groups and parks. Although parents provide meals for their own children, these are safely stored by the childminder in a large cool box. Children's understanding of healthy eating is promoted through posters, activities and discussions. The home is very clean and all hygiene routines are effective in minimising the risk of infection. The childminder uses antibacterial liquid on her own hands regularly throughout the day, therefore promoting children's good health. All medicines are safely administered and records maintained correctly.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to understand about safety within the home as they are involved in the evacuation of the premises on a regular basis. They also help her to complete the daily risk assessment of the premises. During sunny weather the childminder makes sure the outside awning is in place to allow children a shady part of the garden to play in. The childminder constantly talks to children about safety issues, for example, to make sure that there are not too many toys on the floor for them to trip over.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy games, such as threading and construction where the childminder models what to do and encourages them to name the colours and follow instructions. This helps them to be successful and proud of their achievements. They play imaginatively with some lovely resources, for example, a set of play people depicting different roles, such as a fire-fighter, police officer, and paramedic. This helps children gain an understanding of the world they live in. Children's language development is very effectively promoted throughout the day as there are discussions all the time with children and babies who are constantly verbalising.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to learn about the natural world through activities, such as making bird food and observing birds in the garden. They enjoy investigating in the garden and have found spiders and frogs to observe. Children explore in sand, mud, with paint and mashed potato, and complete collage activities. They use their senses at all times when out walking and concentrate on what they hear and see. Children's behaviour is very good because of the positive atmosphere within the home where children are consistently praised for their achievements, for example, as they are successful with a threading activity. Within the hallway are some positive rules for parents to see. 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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