Childminder, Out-of school day care in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY395613 Inspection date 22/02/2010 Inspector Janice Walker

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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 partner and their two children aged eight and one year, in Lincoln. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including schools, shops and Sure Start Centre. On-street car parking is available at the rear of the property. All areas of the property are used for childminding, although, this mainly takes place on the ground floor with sleeping facilities available within this area. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family do not keep any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. Currently, there are two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years range. She provides care all year round and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where effective systems of identifying children's individual needs, routines and interests ensure each child is fully included in all aspects of the provision. Comprehensive policies, procedures and practices ensure they are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted. The childminder provides many worthwhile experiences that extend children’s learning and is in the early stages of using observations and assessments to inform her planning of these. Positive relationships with parents have been established which contributes to continuity of care and learning experiences for each child and the childminder is beginning to establish systems to develop these with other providers for children who attend more than one setting. She has established an effective system of self evaluation to enable her to monitor her service and identify clear targets for future development, helping to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 make more effective use of observations to ensure that activities provide an appropriate level of challenge for each child  develop further the systems for sharing relevant information with other providers for children who attend more than one setting, to fully ensure their continuity and progression  update the written risk assessment to include the landing area and new bedroom furniture. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a strong and conscientious start to her childminding business. Secure systems are in place to ensure that adults are suitable to be in contact with children and minded children are well protected within the home. Comprehensive risk assessments which contain a mainly very good level of detail help to ensure that possible risks are identified and minimised both indoors and outside of the home and clear procedures are in place to enable the childminder to respond to emergencies such as a fire or a lost child. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection to ensure children are safeguarded and shares this information with parents through her written policy. She establishes warm and supportive relationships with parents. They receive detailed information about the setting through the written policies and procedures along with ongoing verbal updates. They are well informed about their

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the early years provision

children’s achievements and progress through the shared learning journals. The childminder has established sound links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage where the care of children is shared. However, these are not yet well enough established to ensure that children receive an integrated approach to their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised. The home is welcoming and inviting to all, toys are stored within easy reach enabling children to make their own selections regarding their play and there is ample space for them to explore and investigate. She has worked hard to devise a comprehensive range of documents, policies and procedures to ensure that children are safe, well cared for and make good progress in their learning and development. She carefully plans routines around the needs of individuals, tailoring activities to ensure the benefits for each child. The childminder’s recent self evaluation demonstrates a good awareness of her current strengths and areas requiring further development with plans in place to begin to address these. She has established useful networks to ensure that she keeps abreast of current issues and to continue to develop her own skills and knowledge. She has formed supportive links with other local childminders and

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the early years provision

makes effective use of relevant internet sites and services provided by the local authority such as training opportunities and support from the development worker. She makes good use of these links to evaluate her practice on an ongoing basis in order to support the continual improvement of her service.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in the childminder’s care. They confidently move around and engage in play. Good organisation of toys and play materials makes them easily accessible so that even very young children are able to make their own selections and there is ample space for them to explore these. They are making good progress in their learning and development through the wide range of activities and experiences provided. The childminder gathers a good level of information from parents at the outset to establish what they can already do. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 then makes useful, ongoing observations to identify their interests and achievements and links these to the early learning goals. However, these systems are still in the early stages of development and do not yet link closely enough to planning to ensure that activities consistently provide an appropriate level of

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and outcomes for children

Children actively engage with their chosen toys, young children investigate things repeatedly, such as turning dials and pushing buttons, working out that one action has an effect on others. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder, young children respond positively as she uses open ended questions to encourage them to look at the pictures and lift flaps to find specific images. She encourages their attempts at communicating and helps all children to learn new vocabulary as they play. Regular baking activities are used to support children’s understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet and also provide opportunities for them to explore the concept of weight and measure and to learn how ingredients change during the mixing and cooking process. Exploration with paints and play dough enable them to investigate colour and texture and also support their fine motor skills as they manipulate the materials using a differing range of tools and equipment. Children

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and outcomes for children

begin to learn about the wider world by accessing toys and books which portray positive images of differences and through regular outings in the local environment. Regular attendance at local groups supports their developing social skills and provides opportunities for them to participate in larger group activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a clean, warm and caring environment. Safety is given a high priority with play areas carefully planned to ensure that children can freely select and explore their toys and the childminder provides high levels of supervision. They begin to learn about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through simple explanations reinforced through routines such as taking part in fire evacuation practices, identifying and using safe places and methods for crossing the road and following the rules for use of the trampoline. Their knowledge of the wider world is enhanced through the many opportunities they enjoy to visit local amenities including schools, toddler groups, shops and park. These opportunities are also used to promote their general good health along with their physical skills. They enjoy daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to all local amenities and those who are able, regularly undertake the

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and outcomes for children

journey by tricycle. They regularly practice their larger physical skills as they play in the garden and on the wide range of equipment at toddler group and the local Children’s Centre. Healthy eating is promoted by the provision of healthy balanced meals, children are actively encouraged to eat a range of fruit and vegetables as part of each meal and sweet and processed foods are limited. High standards of cleanliness are maintained within the home and daily routines, supported by ongoing explanations for these teach children the importance of personal hygiene such as hand washing before meals and after toileting and disposing of used tissues. Along with a clear policy regarding the care of children who are unwell, this helps to minimise the risk of spreading infection. Children behave well. The childminder provides high levels of attention and swiftly averts unwanted behaviour. Through her clear boundaries and gentle encouragement they begin to

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and outcomes for children

learn what acceptable behaviour is and how to share and take turns, developing the skills they will need for future learning. 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 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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