Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397954 Inspection date 06/04/2010 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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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 2009 and lives with her husband and four children in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years of age when she is working by herself. When she is working with her husband/co-minder she is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. She is currently caring for nine children, six of whom are in the early years age group. Attendance is varied.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except for the main bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. Access to the house is via two steps. The childminder drives and/or walks to take children to and from school and undertake outings.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a inclusive environment where the childminder is fully aware of their interests and capabilities. She has a sound knowledge of how to support the children's welfare, learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents and has established links with other's involved in the children's care helping to fully support children's development and learning. She reflects on her practice, showing good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 secure up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues to be able to implement the safeguarding policy and procedures appropriately  develop further knowledge of linking activities to the areas of learning and use to inform assessments and planning and extend systems to check all areas of learning are visited and consolidated over time  improve the arrangements for observations and assessments to identify children's individual learning to ascertain achievements, identify next steps of learning and match observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are protected as the childminder has secure awareness of safeguarding children procedures and her responsibility. However, she is not fully confident or This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledgeable about the action she would take if she has concerns about children. Children's welfare is supported as all required and additional records, policies and procedures are in place. Children's safety is assured as the childminder maintains clear risk assessments and has robust procedures for fire evacuation, including making sure all children understand the purpose and sound of smoke alarms. The home is secure and the childminder has efficient security measures for the collection of children. Their health and welfare is supported well as the childminder has established consistent hygiene procedures. The use of paper towels and anti- bacterial gel maintain children's health. The childminder is clear about ensuring

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the early years provision

required checks are made on household members and she completes a visitors book.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is successfully promoted as the childminder is conversant in implementing all aspects of the learning and development elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Currently, planning is based on individual children's needs, with a mix of planned and child-led activities. Each child has an assessment file in which the childminder completes observations with photographs of the children undertaking a variety of activities. However, there is a possible influence on their learning as generally the childminder's systems to plan activities do not make sure all areas of learning are visited and the written assessments are not used to inform planning. Most of the assessments do not identify what children have learnt and how the childminder plans to progress them.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is carefully promoted. Children are respected and valued. The childminder knows them well. She recognises and proactively responds to individual personalities. A main focus is on the promotion of self-worth and social skills. Each successful milestone reached is celebrated. The childminder develops close relationships with the parents that benefit the children. A variety of different communication systems are used to meet individual family needs, including a daily diary, discussions and informal feedback. The childminder also provides a variety of information relating to her provision, including policies and procedures. Effective links with other providers ensure individual children's needs are met and there is continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder and co-minder work extremely well together, they share responsibilities for the children and all areas of the provision. Children's learning and welfare benefit from the ongoing reflection and evaluation of every aspect of the provision by the childminder and her co-minder. Routines are changed to meet the needs of the children and she has an understanding of areas to improve. The childminder is keen to complete training to develop her skills and improve the outcomes for the children. Therefore she demonstrates an effective capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is keen to provide children with a secure and settled experience. They are well-supported individually in their play and they are enabled to make their own choices and decisions. Children learn respect for themselves and others This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as the childminder seeks explanations for poor behaviour and encourages them to consider why certain behaviour is not acceptable. The use of praise and positive reinforcement contributes effectively to the children developing their social skills and a sense of belonging to a wider family group. They are learning to interact well with adults and other children. Interactions are good, children are secure and confident with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy purposeful play through routine, a range of self-selection, child-led activities and some planned themes, crafts and outings, which ensure that they make continued progress towards the early learning goals. One-to-one and group activities support children's progress, including working towards individual areas of learning, communication skills and socialisation. Daily routine is used to promote learning, such as when walking from school, children are encouraged to seek out road signs, colours of cars and discuss what street lights and telephone wires are for. Throughout colour, letter, calculation and mark-making, development is supported within spontaneous, routine, child-led, planned and focussed activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about nature as they enjoy walks in the local area. They consider the different creatures they see and investigate the life cycle of the butterfly using the internet. Children talk about the animals they have seen and enjoy role play after a visit to a garden centre. Personal, national and international celebrations are enjoyed in the home, supported by discussions and undertaking craft activities. Children learn about people, families and the world around them from related television programmes, the internet, themed packs devised by the childminder and discussion. Themes are developed from spontaneous events, both personally for the children and whilst in the childminder's care. A new baby results in discussion about all aspects of baby care and the 'role' of the elder sibling. This is enhanced by drawing pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well-promoted as there are established hygiene routines which they are encouraged to follow. Children learn about nutrition from posters in the home and going to the shop, where they discuss different fruit and vegetables. The childminder also encourages them to try new and cultural foods. Children keep fit as they walk with the childminder to school and visit the park, where they face challenges using the equipment. Physical skills are developed by activities inside, such as floor games.

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and outcomes for children

Children are starting to understand about dangers as the childminder uses discussion and established routines to keep them safe, both in the home and outside. She alerts them to, and is vigilant to discuss ,possible hazards prior to outings. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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