Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY409037 Inspection date 03/11/2010 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

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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 assesses 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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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 has been registered since 2010. She works with her mother, who is also a registered childminder, from her mother's home in West Hallam, Derbyshire. The co-childminders are supported by an assistant, at times. Children have the use of a dedicated playroom with adjoining bathroom facilities and a front lounge, which is used as a quiet area. The first level of the garden is available for outside play. The premises are accessed via a path to the back of the house. The family have three small dogs and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. When she is working with her co-minder or assistant she is registered to care for 12 children under eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently eight children in the early years age range on roll and five older children, two of whom are over eight. All attend on a part- time basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She takes and collects children from local schools and pre- schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder and her co-childminder provide a warm and welcoming environment for children. Effective organisation ensures both childminders are clear of their roles and responsibilities and they successfully work together to promote children's welfare and learning according to their individual needs. The childminder promotes good partnerships with parents by providing them with detailed information about the service and their child's day. Systems to exchange information with others involved in the care of the young children, such as schools, are less well-established. The childminder shows a good capacity for improvement as she has considered her current strengths and identified ways to move her practice forward.

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further?

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

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further?

 establish effective links with other settings children attend to share relevant information to ensure continuity in learning  carry out regular fire evacuation drills  raise awareness of responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Environmental Health Department. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder takes clear steps to promote safety within the home. In partnership with her co-minder she has identified and minimised hazards and maintains a safe environment at all times. She has completed a full risk assessment and maintains daily documentation to evidence safe practices and checks made, such as records of checks on sleeping children. Children are always carefully supervised because both childminders deploy themselves well, enabling both rooms to be used when needed. All adults coming into contact with the children are vetted. The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding and knows the appropriate action to take if she has concerns about a child. She follows good health and safety practices, meaning the risk of cross-infection is minimised. However, the fire evacuation procedures have not been practised, meaning that the childminder cannot be fully assured that these work efficiently. All of the

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the early years provision

required documentation is held. The childminder generally takes overall responsibility for maintaining the records, although both childminders complete these, as needed, on a daily basis. Although she has a good understanding of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder is unaware of her responsibilities under food hygiene legislation and therefore has not registered with the Local Environmental Health Department.

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the early years provision

The childminder has given very clear thought to designing the playroom and created a welcoming, child-centred environment. Displayed photographs of the children at play, along with examples of their art work help children to develop a sense of belonging. Furnishings and toys are available to suit all ages and enable children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The childminder makes good use of a quiet room to allow children to rest peacefully or for older children to have their own space when needed. Thoughtful organisation means that children can use the adjacent bathroom as they need and this particularly aids children who are potty training. The small outdoor space allows children to play in the fresh air on a daily basis. The childminder shows a commitment to meeting children's individual needs and is building her knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs. She seeks information about children's cultural and religious backgrounds

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the early years provision

so that this is taken into account within her planned activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides clear written information for parents to keep them informed about the service provided and their child's day. The daily diaries and learning journeys provide an ongoing record of children's care and learning. Parents write positive comments about the setting and speak positively about the experiences their children enjoy. The childminder has not established clear systems to share information with others who provide care and learning for children in the early years. This means opportunities to work collaboratively to support children may be missed. The childminder is very enthusiastic about her work and shows a real desire to succeed. Following discussions with her co-minder, she has started to complete a written self-evaluation which is largely accurate and focussed. She has completed all of the initial training and is waiting to attend further short courses. This, along with other identified areas of development, indicates her plans

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for ongoing improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and clearly enjoy being in the childminder's care. They laugh excitedly as she blows bubbles for the young children to catch and older children join in jumping to burst the bubbles with their hands. She encourages children to develop independence as they choose the toys they wish to use and young children attempt to feed themselves with finger foods. The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and encourages children to eat a healthy diet. She sits with children at lunch and snack time, talking about what they are eating and why it is good for them. As a result, young children are beginning to recognise and name familiar foods and vegetables within their lunches. Children's communication develops because the childminder talks with them and uses simple sentences that they can understand. She uses books and music to further develop their language. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years

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and outcomes for children

Foundation Stage and uses this to plan an interesting range of activities for the children that are well-matched to their individual needs and abilities. She recognises the importance of observing children in order to identify their abilities and interests and uses this information to identify their individual next steps. Together with her co-minder, they effectively work with the children promoting all aspects of their learning and as a result children make good developmental progress. The childminder takes a lead role in maintaining the records of children's learning journeys and these provide an informative record for parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works cooperatively with her co-childminder to meet children's care needs. For example, they change children's nappies according to their individual need. She helps children to learn right from wrong as she plays alongside them and organises games that encourage turn taking and sharing. Children's need for fresh air and exercise is met through daily outings and time spent playing outdoors with wheeled toys and a variety of imaginative items. When walking in the community children learn simple road safety. She helps children to become aware of cultures and festivals through planned topic work and children excitedly recall what they have done to mark Halloween and are delighted to see their artwork displayed. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 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 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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