Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408462 Inspection date 14/01/2011 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

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her partner in Alevaston Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to one child aged over five to eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of a recognised 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

Children settle well and separate happily from their parents because they are valued as individuals and practice is inclusive. They are actively engaged in a varied range of enjoyable and stimulating play and learning experiences. Their individual progress is clearly and effectively monitored throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage programme. The childminder builds strong and trusting partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals, ensuring that children receive consistent and complementary care. Records and procedures are regularly reviewed and generally work well in practice to promote children's safety and well- being. Self-review systems are used well to identify areas for improvement through continuous professional development.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve risk assessments, relating to safe sleeping arrangements for babies and young children.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm and neglect because safeguarding procedures are robust. The childminder is attentive to children's safety and is vigilant about security. She has devised clear procedures for emergency evacuation and children are involved in a regular fire drill. Risk assessments are conducted for all areas of the home and for each outing, although records lack clear detail regarding the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sleeping arrangements for babies and young children. However, the childminder ensures that young babies are closely supervised when they fall asleep on the floor cushions. This minimises the risk to their safety. The childminder has appropriate sleeping equipment such as a travel cot so that children with established routines can sleep safely. She conducts regular checks of the equipment and areas children use to ensure that these are safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds relevant childcare qualifications. She uses her professional knowledge, skills and experience well to ensure that children receive good quality care and stimulating learning experiences. She successfully evaluates her practice to identify what she does well and where to improve. She has a clear training plan to further enhance her knowledge of young children's development and care. Activity plans are well developed and show how the individual needs of each child are supported and extended.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude and an active approach towards equality and diversity. She is developing a good range of resources and activities to enhance children's knowledge and understanding of diverse communities, cultural traditions and beliefs, and disabilities. She understands the importance of working closely with parents and other childcare or health professionals. This ensures that children with identified needs receive appropriate support at an early stage.

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the early years provision

Comprehensive details are obtained about each child to ensure that their needs are met. Routines and activities are tailored towards children's individual interests, patterns of attendance and development needs. All of the necessary signed consents are in place to support children's welfare. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Comprehensive written policies covering all aspects of the provision are in place and are reviewed regularly so that they are up-to-date.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops friendly and trusting partnerships with parents which promotes continuity of care. Comments noted on parental questionnaire's show that parents are very happy with the care their children receive. They are confident that their children are happy and settled. Parents and carers receive daily feedback about their child's care and progress and have many opportunities to share their child's personalised development records. They are kept up-to-date with what their children are doing which helps them to support their child's learning at home. The childminder makes good contact with other settings and community groups to extend children's social and learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively engaged in a well-balanced programme of activities which provide appropriate levels of challenge across all areas of learning. The childminder skilfully uses observation and assessment information to inform future planning and to identify children's 'next steps' in their learning and development. Consequently, all children make good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Books are valued as an important resource to develop children's communication, speech and language from an early age. Babies and young children seek and find their favourite books which they readily share with the childminder. She encourages children to repeat and mimic actions, words and sounds to represent different animals. Children receive lots of happy praise and claps for their successful achievements, which raises their self-esteem and confidence to learn.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains good eye contact and talks positively and kindly to the children. She responds happily to their early vocal sounds, which further develops their communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children have free access to toys and equipment which encourages them to make independent choices and decisions about their play and learning. Role play equipment is readily accessible which effectively supports young children's increasing interest in imaginative, small world play. They demonstrate their understanding of familiar experiences in their lives as they place the toy stethoscope in their ear. The childminder skilfully extends their play, offering dolls and other toys to children so that they can help them to feel better.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are encouraged to express their creativity and enthusiasm in a variety of ways. They thoroughly enjoy music and rhymes, making different body movements in time to different rhythms and sounds. They are inquisitive learners, spontaneously pressing buttons and lifting flaps to make action toys work. The children laugh and giggle with the childminder as they happily press switches to make things spin and are fascinated by the movements and sounds they have activated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning well. She responds speedily and enthusiastically to their changing interests, encouraging them to work out how the stickle bricks fit together and to build small and tall towers. She helps them to develop their sensory awareness as they touch and feel shredded paper and listen to the 'rustly' sounds. They handle natural and man-made materials freely as they play with a variety of resources from the sensory basket. This successfully stimulates their creativity and curiosity.

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and outcomes for children

Older children show an active interest in the natural world as they investigate small creatures and insects in the garden. They show fascination as they collect worms from the special digging area to find out how they move and live. They are encouraged to take them home to share this learning activity with their parents. Young children show lots of interest in the family cat. They learn how to repeat the cat's name and how to handle pets in a supportive environment, taking care not to hurt or be rough with animals. This helps children to value and respect the living world.

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and outcomes for children

Children move freely and safely around the home as they seek and select toys from attractive low level areas. Older children help to select and create resources such as the 'travelling ted' which helps them to express their feelings, views and experiences outside of the childminder's home. The childminder divides her attention equally between the children, enabling them to play individually and together. She is attentive towards children's individual needs and routines. She offers cuddles and drinks to babies when they wake up and gives them time to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settle before they return to play and activities. Resources such as walking aids and low-level furniture are used well to help babies move on to the next stage in their physical development. Older children enjoy active and robust play in the garden and other outdoor areas. All children have regular access to fresh air and exercise

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and outcomes for children

which promotes their healthy growth and development. Children follow good hygiene routines such as washing their hands at routine times throughout the day. The childminder offers young children a tissue when they need their nose wiped so that they learn how to keep themselves clean. Children behave well because the childminder is a positive role model. She has clear and established safety rules which children know and understand. For example, older children are encouraged to follow sensible safety rules when they walk home from school. As a result, children learn how to take care of themselves and each other. They develop a good understanding of the world around them through interesting and stimulating activities and discussion. Consequently, all children develop strong skills for the future. 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 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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