Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY347487 Inspection date 08/06/2010 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 2007. She lives with her husband and daughter, aged eight years, in a village in Leicestershire. Minded children use the ground floor of the house for play, with access to the first floor bathroom and bedrooms as needed. There is level access to the property and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she takes children to the local park and library. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three 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 Early Years Register and on both 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 confident in the setting and the childminder provides a warm and welcoming family environment for them to play. The childminder has a developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to use this to enable children to make steady progress. Most of the required written policies and procedures are in place and the positive relationships with parents support the exchange of information relating to each child's care and the service the childminder provides. The childminder can explain how she has begun to informally self-evaluate her provision, which has enabled her to recognise some areas for improvement. She has generally addressed the actions and recommendations raised at the last inspection and has attended some relevant training. Consequently, her commitment to continuous improvement is sound.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents is in place. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 29/06/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the current arrangements for observing and assessing young children in order to ascertain their individual achievements and plan for their next This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 steps  develop planning in order to provide children with a balance of adult-led and freely-chosen or child-initiated activities  review current systems to ensure children have good access to a range of resources and activities that encompass all areas of learning and reflect their individual interests and abilities  extend 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.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately protected because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and how to report any concerns to the relevant agencies. A written safeguarding procedure is shared with parents and records are kept up-to-date and in satisfactory order. Necessary checks for herself and family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised with a person who has not been vetted. Children play in a safe environment because the childminder has implemented effective risk assessments which ensure action is taken to manage or eliminate risks to keep children safe. This includes risks inside and outside of the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed sound relationships with parents and carers to support the children in her care. They are provided with a range of useful information about her service, including policies on safeguarding, equal opportunities, behaviour management and illness. However, the childminder has not implemented a written policy for the procedure to follow should parents wish to make a complaint. Consequently, they are not provided with a fully transparent service. The childminder ensures that she has the necessary information to meet the children's individual requirements, such as their personal, health and dietary needs. Ongoing communication ensures that parents are kept well-informed of the children's progress and daily routines, and that any changes can be discussed and rapidly acted upon. The childminder has established some links with other early years providers which individual children attend, such as pre-schools, to help her

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the early years provision

take account of children's experiences elsewhere. She recognises the value of working with other professionals, such as therapists, to support the inclusion of any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder has prepared a positive and concise equal opportunities policy and she has introduced some activities that link to different religious and cultural festivals and lifestyles, so helping to increase the children's awareness of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has shown a commitment to improvement as she has successfully addressed most of the actions and recommendations set at the last inspection, improving the outcomes for children. For example, she has updated and extended her knowledge and procedures on safeguarding children and has attended relevant training to increase her understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has begun to consider and review her practice and has made use of local sources of advice and support, in order for her to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identify areas for further improvement. However, further implementation of procedures to continue to identify areas for development and the necessary action needed, require ongoing attention to ensure that continued improvement is maintained.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a warm and friendly family environment where children feel settled and included. They have warm and positive relationships with the childminder and enjoy the time they spend with her. Children have access to a number of age appropriate toys and resources within the identified play space. However, these are not always organised or presented effectively to enable children to make choices of what they wish to engage in. In addition, the childminder provides a large number of adult-led activities which do not always take into account children's individual interests and abilities. Consequently, opportunities for children to develop their independence and initiate their own play are limited. The childminder has begun to observe and assess what children can do and occasionally identify next steps. However, these systems are not yet robust or reflective of how individual children make effective progress, are challenged

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and outcomes for children

appropriately or what they need to do next. This has the potential to impact on the progress that children make.

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and outcomes for children

Children's social skills are developing appropriately. They attend various settings and enjoy trips into the local community with the childminder. For example, play and stay sessions and the local shops and library where they meet different people, learn how to take turns, share and converse with others. Children generally behave well and any minor disputes are quickly diffused by the childminder. For example, an argument over a car is soon resolved as one child is redirected to another and agrees that it should be 'one each'. Children understand what is expected of them as the childminder provides clear and consistent messages and there is an emphasis on celebrating children's positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. As a result, children gain confidence and self- esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication is promoted because the childminder talks to them about everyday routines and what they are doing as they play. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder and together they identify familiar words and pictures. Through practical activities, children develop their awareness of counting and colours, for example, they count the bricks as they build a tall tower and pick which colour cup and bowl they would like to have their snack in. Children explore a range of battery and mechanically operated toys. For example, they enjoy pressing the button on a toy car and watch it excitedly as it shoots across the floor. Children have opportunities to be creative as the childminder provides musical instruments and materials to paint and draw and they enjoy the tactile feel of the play dough, using their hands to create different patterns and shapes. Children take part in cooking activities with the childminder and enjoy tasting the

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and outcomes for children

end results. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children begin to understand the importance of good personal hygiene as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands before eating. Their health is promoted through the provision of healthy snacks and easy access to drinks when needed. Children enjoy regular opportunities to be physically active, with frequent trips to the local park for picnics and walks around the local community. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of safety rules within the home and the potential consequences of such actions. For example, not throwing toys or climbing on the sofa in case they hurt themselves or others. 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 (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 29/06/2010

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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 early years section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 29/06/2010

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