Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225152 Inspection date 11/05/2010 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and grandchild, aged five years, in Rothley, a village in Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she also takes children to local carer and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has two children in the early years age group on roll, she also makes provision for older children 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 receive an individual service because the childminder works closely with parents to understand their changing needs. They have access to a good range of resources and make suitable progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage, although effective measures are not yet in place to ensure their learning is progressed as effectively as possible. Children's safety and welfare are promoted appropriately as all required records and policies are in place. The childminder is not using self-evaluation as effectively as possible to evaluate her service, but has responded to a recommendation made from the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that self-evaluation is used more effectively to develop the service to children  ensure that children's starting points are established so their learning can be progressed  ensure that observations are linked to the areas of learning  ensure the next step in children's learning is identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to keep children safe and is aware of the appropriate authorities to contact if she has any concerns, a policy is also in place which is shared with parents so they understand how their child will be protected. All adults at the home have been vetted and children are never left with anyone who has not been cleared.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable range of measures in place to keep children safe, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for example, socket covers and fire prevention equipment, and children have practised a fire drill so they know what to do in an emergency. A risk assessment is in place, which also has procedures for outings, and the childminder explains to children about possible hazards so they learn to be responsible for their own safety. For example, children learn about road safety when they are out and the childminder carries a mobile phone so help can always be summoned. All required documentation is appropriately maintained and a sick children policy is shared with parents at admission. This ensures all children's well-being is suitably promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder has organised her home appropriately so children can enjoy free- flow between the lounge and dining room and between the indoors and outdoors. This also helps children to be independent as they make their own choices from a good range of resources in all areas. The childminder is always with children in the garden which ensures they are safe at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder speaks with parents daily to ensure they understand how their child is progressing and a useful daily diary shows what they have achieved. All required policies, procedures and records are in place and parents are made aware of these so they have a sound awareness of how their child will be cared for. The childminder is also developing systems to liaise with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended a first aid course and receives a childcare publication which helps her to be aware of current practice. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to evaluate her service, but this is not yet used effectively to demonstrate continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well at the home and are beginning to learn to play together, they respond well as the childminder asks them to share things and this promotes a calm environment for them to play and learn in. Mark-making is also promoted appropriately because the children have access to pencils and paper and a chalk board. Children's awareness of the natural world is promoted satisfactorily as they recycle and use materials for junk modelling, for example, making robots. They have also made musical instruments using plastic bottles and rice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of maintaining a balance between following children's interests and adult-led activities and has been flexible in her planning to ensure that good use is made of opportunities. For example, when it snowed, children went outside and discovered that snow is wet and cold and made of individual flakes. Informal planning is currently in place to ensure children progress across all areas of learning and detailed observations are taken. However, starting points are not established, links are not made to the areas of learning and the next step in children's learning is not identified. This means their progress is not promoted as fully as possible.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder spends time talking to the children and they are settled and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 content and happy to involve her in their play. For example, as they use a small world tea set to make drinks. The childminder asks children questions to help them think about what they are learning, for example, how many spoons they will need, and they are delighted with the praise they receive for their answers and achievements. Children have access to a range of easily accessible books and they bring their favourites to her to read to them. Children enjoy outings in the local community, for example, to carer and toddler groups, parks and to the library, which helps them to learn about their place in the community. The childminder also acknowledges a range of festivals, such as Diwali, so children also learn appropriately about the wider world. The childminder understands the importance

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and outcomes for children

of letting children play with all resources as they follow their own interests, for example, pushing dolls in prams and playing with building bricks to create 'monsters'.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted appropriately as they enjoy snacks of fruit and drinks of no added sugar juice. They provide their own packed lunches and the childminder talks to them about healthy options so they gain some awareness of healthy eating. Children learn how to promote their own good health by practices, such as washing their hands regularly and the childminder provides liquid soap and a clean towel daily to reduce cross-infection. 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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