Childminder in LeicestershireOfsted inspection, 19 Nov 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362318 Inspection date 19/11/2010 Inspector Jayne Rooke

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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

This childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and an adult child in Loughborough, Leicestershire. All of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has four children under eight on roll. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends local pre-school groups. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a varied range of play and learning experiences which supports their learning and development well. Their individual progress is observed and activities are tailored towards their particular interests. Children are valued as individuals and practice is generally inclusive. The childminder builds positive and trusting partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals, meeting the needs of each child. Most of the required safety equipment, records and procedures are in place and generally work well in practice. Self-review systems are used sufficiently well to promote improvement in most areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that there is appropriate fire detection and control equipment which is in working order so that the safety of children is promoted (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 03/12/2010

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further?

 maintain a current paediatric first aid certificate at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 update the safeguarding children policy including the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the household  review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well being and carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing  provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  improve the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvements.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm and neglect because the childminder is vigilant about their safety and well-being and all of the necessary vetting procedures have been completed. However, safeguarding procedures are not clearly identified within the childminder's written policy. This means that it is not clear what to do if there are concerns about allegations of abuse against adult members of the household. Children play safely indoors and outside because the premises are secure. There are clear procedures for emergency evacuation in place and all children are involved in a regular fire drill. Visual checks are completed each day to ensure that the premises and equipment are safe and suitable for children to use, but risk assessment records lack sufficient detail for all aspects of the provision including each specific outing, use of a vehicle and some areas of the childminder's home. For example, the smoke alarm on the first floor has not yet been replaced

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the early years provision

following recent home improvement work. This has minimal impact on children's safety as the first floor is not used for childminding purposes, other than access to the bathroom. At these times, children are closely supervised by the childminder. This ensures that any risk to children's safety is removed.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification and attends regular training events within her local authority to update her knowledge and skills. This helps her to support children's care, learning and play. Although her current first aid qualification has recently expired, she has good knowledge and understanding of how to deal with accidents and injuries from her previous first aid training and has taken positive steps to attend the next available renewal course. As a result, the risk to children's safety and well-being is minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to reflect on her current practice and is clear about her strengths in supporting children's learning, but is less confident of her record keeping systems. Consequently, some of the required information is not fully in place with regard to risk assessments. However, all of the necessary signed consents are in place to support children's welfare, complaints information is accessible to parents and confidentiality is maintained. The recommendation from the previous inspection has been successfully addressed so that the garden is free from hazardous materials, creating a safe outdoor environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes positive attitudes towards equality and diversity, respecting children as individuals and working closely with family members to ensure that children receive consistent care. She is beginning to support children's developing knowledge and understanding of diverse communities, cultural traditions and beliefs and disabilities through discussion, celebrations and educational programmes, but has limited resources within the home to reflect diverse backgrounds. This minimises opportunities for children to expand their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge in this area of learning.

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the early years provision

Relevant information is obtained about each child to ensure that they are cared for according to their parents' wishes and so that their individual routines are met. The childminder forms friendly and trusting partnerships with parents which helps children feel secure and welcome within her home. Comments received from parents during the inspection and in written notes are very positive and complimentary with regard to the support they receive from the childminder and the impact this has on their child's health, well-being and sense of fun. As a result, children are happy, settle well and make good progress in their learning. Parents are kept up-to-date with what their children are doing through daily discussion, diary notes and photographs which forms a personalised record of children's development and progress whilst they are with the childminder. She shares useful ideas with parents which helps them to support their child's learning at home.

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the early years provision

Written policies covering most aspects of the provision are in place and are made available to parents so that they are generally well informed of regulatory procedures. The childminder builds good links with local community services and other professionals to share good practice and to ensure that children broaden their social and learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happily engaged in a well-balanced programme of activities which cover all areas of learning over a period of time. The childminder understands the importance of children learning through play and practical experiences which offer them a broad range of interest and ongoing challenge. For example, young children enjoy social contact with children of a similar age and older children at various activity groups outside of the home and when they meet outside of school hours. This helps them to feel part of a secure group and to develop their confidence, speech and language.

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and outcomes for children

Toys and resources are easily accessible so that children can explore and investigate at their own pace. This encourages them to make independent choices and decisions about their play and learning. Children express feelings of delight and vocalise happily when they recognise familiar people on the computer and show a keen interest in previous social events and play and learning activities. They are beginning to develop a healthy respect for people's differences and similarities within secure and homely surroundings. However, the limited range of resources reflecting diverse groups minimises opportunities for children to fully explore people's backgrounds and heritage.

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and outcomes for children

Children use technical equipment imaginatively as they pretend to speak to their 'mummy' through the improvised telephone wires and demonstrate how things work as they push buttons to activate the sounds in a talking book. They handle toys with confidence and curiosity, placing bricks together to construct small towers and follow simple instructions to push things together. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Young children communicate well, making sounds and vocalising words during their investigative play, repeating words, such as, 'please' and 'thank you' when they give and receive objects. They show pride in their belongings, recognising and pointing to their special pictures that they have made for their parents. They learn how to handle books correctly from an early age, turning the pages and pointing to words and pictures as they 'read'. They use numbers for counting,

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and outcomes for children

sorting and estimating in their free play and during planned activities such as cooking.

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and outcomes for children

Children are physically active indoors and outside, enjoying many adventurous outings to local areas of interest. They explore the natural environment with interest and are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles through planting and growing projects. Older children learn how to keep themselves and others safe, taking responsibility for checking that the road is clear before they can all cross. Young children respond positively to the childminder's gentle assurances to move around carefully so as not to hurt themselves. Good hygiene routines are fostered so that children learn how to keep themselves clean to prevent the spread of infection. Snack and meal time is a sociable occasion, providing opportunities for children to sit together and talk with adults and to learn how to behave at the table. They generally eat healthy, nutritious meals and drink plenty of juice or water, promoting strong growth and development. Children develop strong skills

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and outcomes for children

for the future within a fun and welcoming atmosphere which has a positive impact on their learning and enjoyment. 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 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 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: 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 - (Welfare of the children being cared for) 31/01/2011

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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(Welfare of the children being cared for) 31/01/2011

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