Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225485 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 1987. She lives with her husband and teenage child. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to the schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent, carer and toddler groups and takes children to the local library and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, of these, three are in the Early Years Foundation Stage 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 are settled in the care of the childminder because she interacts with them and provides a homely environment. Information about children's welfare needs and routines are collected at induction. Policies and procedures help to support the care of the children. The childminder has systems in place to monitor and assess children's progress and is beginning to use this information to inform future planning. The childminder can explain how she communicates with the local school and parents for the benefit of the children. The childminder has not updated her self-evaluation except for information about training she has attended to improve her knowledge and skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve arrangements to determine children's starting points so their strengths and interests can be built on and use this information to help future planning  improve the current assessment systems in order to use the information gathered more effectively to identify children's achievements and learning priorities in all areas and use this to more effectively inform future planning  improve the systems for gaining written consent to administer non- prescription medication; this is with regards to pain and fever relief  develop further the systems to self-evaluate and monitor practice to bring about improvements to ensure the individual needs of all children are met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is protected because adults living on the premises have been checked to ensure they are suitable to be with children. The childminder can explain the indicators of child abuse and how to and report concerns to the relevant agencies. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder carries out checks to ensure that potential hazards are removed. As a result, cleaning fluids and sharp knives are inaccessible to the children and gates prevent them from accessing the stairs. The childminder has carried out risk assessments for taking children to school and other venues. Consequently, their safety is continues to be maintained when away from the home.

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the early years provision

A suitable range of written policies and procedures are in place to promote children's health, safety and welfare. These are shared with parents at induction and available for reference at all times so that they understand the service provided. The childminder has written consent from parents for various activities such as outings, seeking emergency first aid or treatment and to administer specific medicines. However, consent to administer pain relief is sought when children first attend, rather than each time it is administered, although this is discussed with parents beforehand and records detailing when medication is administered are shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established relationships with parents and collects information about their child's routines at induction. However, this process does not involve collecting details about their stage of development and learning. As a result, the childminder cannot fully build on what the children already know and can do. The childminder undertakes observations of the children and uses these to maintain records of their progress although these do not always indicate their achievements, identify their next steps across all the areas of learning or help to inform future planning. Consequently, children may not make as much progress as they could. The childminder explains how she communicates with the local school teachers to share information about the children. Parents are kept informed of children's progress through daily discussions and the sharing of their developmental records. The childminder ensures that all children are included and their individual needs

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the early years provision

are taken into account promoting inclusive practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has basic systems in place to self-evaluate her provision and is able to identify the strengths of the provision. Although her self-evaluation has not been updated recently to show how changes she has made since the last inspection have impacted on the children. The childminder has taken the appropriate steps to meet the actions and recommendations set at her last inspection and also attended a range of training showing a commitment to sustain and improve her service. 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 learning about the importance of good hygiene because they wash their hands throughout the day. Parents provide meals for their children which are supplemented by the childminder who provides healthy snacks such as fruit. When children stay overnight the childminder provides a choice of cereals or toast for breakfast and an evening meal. Children who sleep overnight stay in a room next to the childminder's bedroom so that she can hear them at all times. Children benefit from fresh air everyday as they play in the garden, go to the park or for walks in the locality. These activities also help promote their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and are confident in the childminder's care. Consequently, they interact with the childminder and her assistant well. Children are becoming independent and learn to make choices as they choose what to play with. Realistic rules are displayed in the home to remind children how to behave and the childminder explains how she manages inappropriate behaviour according to the children's developmental stage. Consequently, children understand what is required and show good behaviour as they develop the skills to share and be kind to their friends. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe through everyday events, for example, how to cross the road safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children's routines from home are managed appropriately and they receive cuddle and a drink after they have had a sleep. Consequently, they wake up happy and quickly settle to play. Children enjoy imaginative play and use resources such as a farm and replica animals to support this. All children benefit from visits in the locality such as the cattle market and fruit farm. Children have access to a range of books which are supplemented by borrowing from the local library. As a result, children handle books carefully and enjoy different stories. The childminder uses everyday events to help children learn such as counting how many steps they are climbing and how many items they have in a shopping basket.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive a range of opportunities and have access to a range of tools to help them develop their independent mark-making and writing, for example, chalks and paints. They are learning about care of the environment as they recycle containers. A range of festivals and cultural events are celebrated throughout the years. At Chinese New Year children tasted different foods and for Mother's Day made greetings cards. Children are protected from the cross-contamination of germs because the childminder implements appropriate nappy changing procedures and does not care for children who are infectious. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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