Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225661 Inspection date 19/05/2010 Inspector Claire Jenner

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a village in Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is level access to the property. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. All of whom attend on a part-time basis. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 and settled within the welcoming family environment and they have formed good relationships with the childminder. The childminder has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to use this to support children in making steady progress. The childminder ensures all children are valued and included and information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's individual needs. The childminder is keen to improve her service and has some understanding of her strengths and areas for development. However, she has not yet implemented effective systems to enable her to self-evaluate her practice in order for her to set a clear action plan for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system of assessing and recording children's progress, highlighting what they should do next within the six areas of learning and use this information to plan practical play activities to help children reach their full potential  develop systems further to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with settings that also provide care and education under the Early Years Foundation Stage for individual children  develop systems for self-evaluation and reflective practice to further identify strengths and priorities for improvement that will continue to improve the quality of provision for children  review systems to ensure that all the required policies, procedures and records are in good order and readily accessible for inspection. 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 supported as the childminder has a sound awareness protecting children from abuse, such as, recording and reporting any child protection concerns that she may have. Necessary checks for herself and her family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised with a person who has not been vetted. Suitable written risk assessments are in place which ensures action is taken to manage or eliminate risks to keep children safe at all times. This includes risks within the home and whilst on outings. Children are appropriately supported by the broad range of toys and equipment which are provided by the childminder. They are able to self-select from age appropriate, good quality resources indoors and outdoors enabling them to develop their independence and learn to make choices about what they would like to play with. The childminder maintains all of the required records and has

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the early years provision

prepared a range of written information to underpin her practice. However, these are not maintained in good order which means that they are not easily shared with parents or readily accessible for inspection.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents and carers are in place which means that children's care, learning and welfare needs are met appropriately. The childminder ensures that she has the required information to meet children's individual needs from the onset. Ongoing daily discussion provides parents and the childminder with opportunities to up-date each other on how children have been and what activities they have been involved in during the day. The childminder is aware of the need to work with other settings where children receive the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, systems to enable her to do this effectively have not been implemented which means children do not benefit from a coordinated service. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to access specialised support for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to meet the recommendations from the last inspection, improving the outcomes for children. She shows a commitment to her work and the children she cares for and has begun to consider her practice and reflect on her own strengths and areas for development. However, she has not yet implemented appropriate systems to enable her to do this effectively. Consequently, this impacts on her ability to maintain continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and secure at the childminders home as they are familiar with the routines, know the environment well and are supported by the childminder in all that they do. Children are making satisfactory progress in the six areas of learning and the childminder knows the children that she cares for well. The childminder plans the environment to enable children to self-select resources that are age-appropriate and reflect their individual interests. For example, the small world park and characters, some of which reflect positive images of diversity are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well presented and made readily accessible to a young child. Although the childminder has begun to record what children do each day, this system is not sufficiently robust or reflective of how children make sufficient progress, are challenged appropriately or what they need to do next. This has potential to

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and outcomes for children

impact on the progress that children make.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early language skills are supported well as the childminder takes time to listen and allow children to express themselves. She engages well with the children and encourages them to think and talk about familiar experiences as they play. Through routine activities children develop their awareness of numbers, for example, counting steps or singing familiar number rhymes and songs. Children are learning about the local community as they visit the local library on a regular basis and select from a broad range of books to borrow and share with the childminder. Frequent trips to the local park provide children with opportunities to develop their physical skills and enjoy the fresh air as they use the large equipment. Children are actively involved in their learning as they enjoy planting seeds in the garden and watch them grow. They talk animatedly about what vegetables they are going to grow next. Children are able to gain awareness of

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and outcomes for children

technology as they explore battery operated toys and have easy access to musical instruments which helps to promote their creativity.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are promoted appropriately because the childminder ensures that they take part in routine hygiene procedures and talk about the benefits of exercise and healthy eating. The childminder works well with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. Drinks are offered throughout the day to ensure that children remain hydrated. Children play in a safe environment and they are learning how to keep themselves safe as the childminder gently reminds them to use equipment appropriately or talks about road safety on the way to and from school. Children behave well. They are encouraged to share, take turns and be kind to one another and understand what is expected of them through clear and consistent messages provided by the childminder. Regular praise and encouragement is offered to develop children's confidence and self-esteem. 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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children and ensure it contains all of the required detail (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 02/06/2010

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 02/06/2010

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