Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208038 Inspection date 22/04/2010 Inspector Sheena Gibson

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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 1993. She lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Access to the home is via a step up to the front door. The childminder's adult daughter is also her assistant and joins her at the childminder's home to care for children. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom upstairs in the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children of whom two of who are in the early years age group. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent, carer and toddler groups and takes children to the local library and park.

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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 happy, confident and relaxed in the homely environment. The childminder knows the children well and therefore their individual needs are appropriately met and, on the whole, they make satisfactory progress in their learning. Children's health and well-being are generally well supported, although the childminder is not completely complying with first aid requirements. In general, the records, policies and procedures that are in place suitably promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder has a positive relationship with parents that contributes to consistency of care for children. Although she has considered self- evaluation she has not yet developed secure systems for evaluating her practice and so is not effectively maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that a current paediatric first aid certificate is always maintained (Promoting good health) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/05/2010

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further?

 obtain information regarding who has parental responsibility and legal contact for each child. (Safeguarding and welfare) 06/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems so it is clear that medication is given only when there is a health reason for doing so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  use information from observations to effectively plan opportunities and experiences that support children's next steps accross all of the areas of learning  develop a culture of self-evaluation in order to effectively identify strengths and weaknesses and maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding about her role and responsibilities. She has developed written procedures to be followed in the event of suspected child abuse and has the relevant contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She ensures that all adults who have unsupervised access to children are appropriately checked. For example, her assistant has been checked through the Criminal Records Bureau. She maintains a record of risk assessments for the indoor and outdoor areas of the home and does daily visual checks to ensure that resources and equipment are safe and fit for purpose. Outings are also risk assessed and the childminder considers, for example, how the children will travel and ensures that permission is sought from parents. In the main, the childminder is complying with all legal requirements. However, whilst she has booked onto a first aid course in the very near future she

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the early years provision

has allowed her current fist aid certificate to expire.

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the early years provision

Most required records, policies and procedures are in place to support the welfare and development of children, although the childminder is not aware of the requirement to obtain information about who has parental responsibility and legal contact for each child. The childminder has a positive aim for her provision. She has plans to update her existing skills through the use of, for example, the internet but has not developed an effective system for evaluating her own provision and so weaknesses in practice or knowledge are not effectively identified and addressed in order to maintain continuous improvement. Relationships with parents are very positive and parents are made aware of the childminder's procedures, including her complaints procedure. The Ofsted poster is on display and so parents know how to contact the regulator if they so choose.

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the early years provision

The organisation and deployment of resources means that all children are able to be safely engaged in activities and make choices about what they want to play with. Toys are sufficient in number and are freely available. The childminder suitably promotes equality and diversity. She has a culture of non-discriminatory practice and this ensures that all children have opportunities to be involved with activities, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or ability. Children have access to resources that depict positive images and this helps them to understand and value differences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children receive warmth and kindness from the childminder and they have developed a bond with her that enables them to feel safe and secure. They are confident and curious as they explore the home environment and make up their own play both indoors and outdoors. The childminder is beginning to develop an understanding of the use of observation in relation helping children to progress towards the early learning goals. However, this is in the very early stages of development and she is not yet using the information from her observations to inform future planning and so it is not clear how children are progressing towards their next steps across all areas of learning. Nevertheless, because she knows individual children very well and is aware of their interests she is able to provide sufficient opportunities so that they continue to make satisfactory progress. The learning environment is stimulating and appropriately resourced so that children

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and outcomes for children

inevitably learn through play. Their interests and preferences are respected and favourite activities and toys are always available or made accessible throughout the day. For example, balls are available both indoors and outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

Another favourite are the books and children enjoy looking at books with the childminder. The electronic book has animal sounds in it and younger early years children know how to press the buttons to make the sounds and then make attempts at making the sounds, promoting communication skills as well as an early understanding about technology. They giggle out loud when listening and copying the cat's 'meow', which becomes a repeated sound. Problem solving skills are used when playing with the activity cube, trying to work out how the shapes fit into the holes. They are quiet proud when the correct hole is chosen and there is a resounding 'hooray'. When playing in the garden young children make a good attempt at throwing a ball to the childminder, in quite a controlled manner and the childminder gently throws it back. This an activity enjoyed by all and children laugh excitedly. Children are very curious and like to explore the flowers and bushes in

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and outcomes for children

the garden. They use their imagination freely. For example, when playing with the tea cup and pretending to drink or 'talking' on the toy telephone.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well. Praise and encouragement is used effectively to develop positive behaviour with any unwanted behaviour being dealt with in an age- appropriate manner. Their health is successfully supported by the childminder's positive hygiene practice and they learn about the importance of good hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. The childminder administers medication to children if required for their continued well-being. However, the current systems do not always make it clear for what health reason the medication is needed. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety when on outings. Parents are appropriately involved with children's learning, for example, through planned and spontaneous discussions with the childminder and this suitably supports consistency in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of children being cared for) 20/05/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of children being cared for) 20/05/2010

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