Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY267542 Inspection date 19/01/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and one adult member of the household, aged 16 years in Kibworth, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first 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.

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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 five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also provides care for five children aged over five to ten years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She receives support from the local authority advisory service. The childminder holds a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Early Years Education and Childcare.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in a stimulating and homely environment because the childminder values them as unique individuals and her practice is very inclusive. She skilfully observes and monitors each child's progress, taking into account their individual learning styles, interests and development stages. As a result, they are engaged in spontaneous and well planned activities which support and significantly enhance their development and learning.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle quickly and separate happily from their parents because the childminder fosters positive and trusting partnerships. She maintains close contact with other health and childcare professionals in order to provide consistent and complementary care. Self-review systems are used highly effectively to assess what works well and to identify areas for continuous professional development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the systems for ongoing procedures to evaluate the provision and implement areas for improvement. 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 is vigilant about safety and security. Safeguarding policies and procedures are secure and relevant suitability checks are kept up-to-date for all adult members of the household. She ensures that risk assessments are thorough so that children can move around freely and safely, indoors and outside. She has devised clear procedures for emergency evacuation from the ground and first floor levels. All children are involved in a regular fire drill so that they understand what they must do in the event of an emergency. The childminder conducts a series of daily checks to ensure that any risk to children's safety is removed. Children remain under her close supervision at all times. As a result, children are fully protected from harm and neglect.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification and has extensive experience in the care and education of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses her knowledge and skills exceptionally well to ensure that children and their families feel valued and included. She works closely with each parent to ensure that children receive personal and individualised care. She places great emphasis on the importance of supporting children with additional needs. She actively seeks out essential support, advice and guidance to promote positive intervention at an early stage. Comprehensive details are obtained about each child to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. Routines and activities are tailored towards children's spontaneous interests. This significantly enhances children's well-being and successfully promotes inclusion.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive approach towards self-evaluation. She takes pride in her professional development to further advance her knowledge and skills. She has a clear training plan and successfully identifies key areas that she is keen to review, such as, safeguarding procedures and equality and diversity issues. She maintains excellent relationships with other childcare professionals and is keen to share new ideas and information about children's development and care. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Written policies are comprehensive in their detail and all of the necessary signed consents are in place. The childminder reviews them at regular intervals to ensure that they are up-to- date with current regulations and guidelines. This ensures that parents and carers are fully informed of, and in agreement with, all matters regarding their child's welfare. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully

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the early years provision

addressed. She now ensures that parents initial the medication register to acknowledge the entry, promoting children's good health and safety.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents, carers and children are excellent. The childminder offers parents daily feedback about their child's care and progress. She provides many opportunities for families to share and contribute to their child's development records. This ensures that parents know what their children are doing and encourages them to support their child's learning at home. Comments and views received from parents and children are very positive and complimentary. This demonstrates that they are confident and happy with the 'outstanding' level of care provided. Children 'love being with the childminder' because she makes them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 'feel happy' and makes them 'smile'. She also provides the children with 'lots of lovely and exciting things to do'. The childminder maintains excellent links with local schools and pre-schools. This enables her to successfully coordinate and

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the early years provision

enhance children's learning experiences and support their transition to other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inspired to learn. They are actively engaged in a superb range of activities and games which cover all areas of learning. The childminder is highly qualified and demonstrates an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands the importance of children learning through play and first hand experiences. Consequently, children are offered a stimulating range of activities and resources which provide a broad range of interest and ongoing challenge. For example, a wide range of toys and equipment are attractively displayed and easily accessible. This means that children can make independent choices and decisions about their play and learning. Children become confident learners because the childminder responds positively to their changing needs and routines. As a result, babies and young children are happy and settled. They are confident to join in with a range of games and activities which support and

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and outcomes for children

enhance their development. They sort and sequence by size, shape and colour as they stack coloured rings on the sorter toy. The childminder talks to children with enthusiasm and excitement, encouraging babies to vocalise different sounds. She makes good visual contact with the children to encourage their listening and responsive actions. She sensitively intervenes with a gentle voice to encourage young children to share and take turns. Songs, rhymes and stories are used effectively to significantly enhance children's speech, language and communication. Older children are encouraged to predict what happens next as they look at books, turn pages and use puppets in their imaginative play.

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and outcomes for children

Effective planning ensures that all children are encouraged to develop skills in reading and writing through meaningful, practical experiences. Children write for a purpose during role play games and are encouraged to label their own work. They use a variety of writing tools, indoors and outside to practise their emerging skills. They are actively engaged in games which help them to link sounds and letters. Children identify a range of shapes by sight. They learn that shapes have a two and three dimensional form, matching what they see to shapes in the home and outside. The childminder skilfully enhances children's learning. She asks questions which encourage children to count, sequence and repeat actions to demonstrate their understanding. Babies and young children are encouraged to investigate and find out how things work. They receive claps and lots of lovely praise when they successfully open zippers to take toys out of a bag.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoors is valued as an important extended learning environment. The childminder provides stimulating and exciting opportunities for children to explore, investigate and have fun. They develop sensory awareness as they listen to the calming effects of the attractive water fountain, during outdoor play and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mealtimes. They observe patterns of light from the mirrored tree hangers. This stimulates children's interest and visual senses, as they follow the reflections from the 'pretty light fairies' both indoors and outside. Children are actively involved in planting and growing projects. They proudly take their produce home to share in their meals with their family. Older and younger children are encouraged to think about and take part in recycling projects. This helps them to take care of the environment and consider issues relating to sustainability. Children are encouraged

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and outcomes for children

to take an active interest in the natural world. They observe small creatures and insects closely, using magnifying lenses. They take photographs and draw pictures to record their findings. Their knowledge of the natural world is further extended during visits to areas of interest, such as, the woods and the butterfly farm. The childminder is sensitive to children's feelings and emotions. She helps them to overcome their fears of crawling insects through discussion and stories. She supports children in their investigations, encouraging them to access information from the internet and from reference books. Younger children are encouraged to look at photographs, which helps them to recognise themselves and familiar people. They demonstrate awareness of time and daily routines, recognising the sound of the doorbell when it is time for their parents to arrive.

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and outcomes for children

Children are valued as unique individuals. The childminder shows an active interest in significant events which are of great importance to children and their families. She skilfully plans time for children to discuss past and present events and to share their special news with others. Children are encouraged to cut out and keep commemorative newspaper articles which contribute to their learning journey record. This helps them to reflect upon and record historical events in their lives.

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and outcomes for children

Children with additional needs receive excellent support from the childminder. She seeks out relevant training courses to assist with any communication and medical requirements. She works closely with parents and other health care professionals to ensure that each child receives close attention. This successfully promotes their development and ensures that their individual needs are met from an early stage. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home as a 'member of her family'. As a result, they develop close and loving relationships with the childminder and other children in her care. They are offered lots of praise for their achievements and receive sensitive support to help them understand what worked well and what could be improved next time. They respond positively to sensible safety rules and take part in tidy up routines. This successfully helps them to respect and value themselves and each other. Consequently, children behave in ways that are safe

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and well-being is significantly enhanced. The childminder pays close attention to health and safety regulations and enables children to become independent in their personal hygiene routines. She shares digital information with parents to support 'baby led weaning' which helps babies to move comfortably from bottle feeds to solid foods. She discusses positive and sensitive strategies to support and enhance children's confidence through the toilet training phase. She offers lots of reassurance to young children, boosting their confidence. In addition, children receive praise for successful achievements and decision making about their self-care. Children have outstanding opportunities to learn about healthy eating. They help to grow and prepare fresh vegetables and eat This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 healthy meals and snacks. Their individual dietary needs and parental preferences

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and outcomes for children

are met. All children take part in additional activities to support their understanding of healthy lifestyles and the benefits of regular fresh air and exercise. Children develop an excellent understanding of dangers and how to keep themselves safe through the daily routine and during discussion and additional activities and projects.

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and outcomes for children

Children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder effectively observes and assesses their progress. She uses observations exceptionally well to lead future planning and to identify children's 'next steps' in learning. She takes fully into account each child's current interests and development 'schemes'. Consequently, 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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