Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411651 Inspection date 21/12/2010 Inspector Alex Brouder

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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 was registered in 2010. She lives with her three children aged nine, five and two, in a village location in Leicestershire. Their home is within walking distance of the local school, shops and recreation grounds. The whole of the ground floor is accessible to minded children, with an accessible toilet and hand washing facilities available within these areas. There is a large enclosed rear garden which is available for outdoor play. The family has a cat, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time including two in the early years age range. Currently there are 11 children on roll, of which seven are in the Early Years age group and one within the compulsory childcare age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminders 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 settle quickly and develop warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. In the main, the organisation of resources enables children to make appropriate progress in their learning and development. Most records support children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are well known and met. Good partnerships with parents and carers are in place and systems are developing to link with other settings that children attend to support consistency of care and learning. Sound systems are in place to review and evaluate her service in order to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 28/12/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems for observation, planning and assessment to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure they are reflective of the needs of all children's ages and stages of development and of the six areas of learning  ensure that areas children access are organised more effectively to give children scope for free movement and well-spread activities to support their individual learning and play  ensure effective continuity and progression for children attending more than one setting by sharing information with other early years providers and with parents

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder has sound procedures in place to safeguard children. All household members are known and in addition regular visitors are appropriately cleared to be in the proximity of children. The childminder has a sound understanding of the possible signs of abuse and steps to take should she have concerns for a child's welfare. Clear risk assessments and daily checks identify potential areas of risk and how these are minimised to protect children from harm. Resources that children have access to, are of suitable quality, however, these are not always organised effectively to enable children to make independent choices or to know what is available to them. An emergency escape plan is clearly displayed and practised on a regular basis to enable children to learn how to leave the setting quickly should the need arise. Consent for emergency medical advice or treatment has not been sort from some parents, this may delay appropriate action

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the early years provision

being taken should a child require medical intervention.

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the early years provision

Children are valued as individuals and treated fairly and equally. Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. Any information on their wants and needs are discussed and recorded before children begin in her care, enabling her to provide an environment suited to their needs from day one. Daily diaries and verbal feedback are used to ensure that parents are kept informed of their child's progress. Questionnaires enable parents and children to comment on what she does well and any improvements they feel could be made. The childminder is keen to work with other settings that children attend; however, systems are not yet secure to ensure that this works effectively to identify any gaps in children's learning or development. The childminder has a clear vision for improving her service to children and their families and uses the Ofsted self-evaluation well to help her identify any gaps in her provision and thus improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

There are sound arrangements to promote children's health and safety. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals, which contribute to their good health. Regular drinks are offered to them, such as juice or water enabling them to remain hydrated. Social skills are promoted as all children sit at the table for meals and snacks and the childminder speaks to them about what they have done and what This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they would like to do, increasing their language skills. Appropriate levels of supervision are offered to ensure that children remain safe when in her care. She walks with children to and from school each day showing them how to cross roads safely and to 'look and listen' as they cross with her. Their skills in personal hygiene are developing well as they know to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. All food preparation surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial

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and outcomes for children

spray before use, limiting the risk of cross-contamination to children. The childminder makes use of opportunities for energetic play, for example, as she takes children to local parks and toddler groups to supplement active play at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and enjoy their time in the childminder's home. As a result, they make satisfactory progress towards the Early Learning Goals. The childminder has a developing knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She is beginning to use this when planning activities to incorporate all six areas of learning into children's play and activities. Simple observations are being used to identify what children have done, however, these are not consistently completed which means that there are some gaps in the educational programme. The childminder is aware that this is an area that requires further development to improve children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminder's care because she is kind and caring in her dealings with them. Children learn to share and take turns in every day play situations and older children show kindness and consideration to younger children as they play. For example, a younger child became upset when they could not have the handbag that an older child was using. The older child took the handbag off and gave it to the younger one, stating 'you can have it' and rubbing the child's back as they did so. Their behaviour is sound and the childminder offers praise and encouragement in all that children do to promote their confidence and self-esteem. Children enjoy books and there is a sound range to support all ages and stages of development. Their dexterity develops as they handle a variety of tools and resources, for example, simple puzzles, cutlery and pencils. Children's language is developing appropriately and the childminder takes

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and outcomes for children

time to listen to children and question them as they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain practical awareness of shape, space and number as they handle different sizes of cut up apple and puzzles. They develop their number and problem solving skills, as they count how many children are present and help the childminder look for the correct number to correspond with the days date. Their imagination is well promoted, as they are observed to access pretend play resources. For example, the play kitchen and food, and they enjoy working together to 'make lunch'. Some everyday use of technology is accessible to them, for example, musical toys and the kitchen equipment, supporting their skills for the future. Children enjoy the outdoors and the childminder ensures that they get out every day, no matter what the weather. This enables them to practise their large physical skills as they bounce on the small trampoline, or throw the balls to one another. 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 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 2 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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