Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208830 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 1999. She lives with her husband, her daughter, who is also her assistant and her two nieces aged 12 and 14 years. The family live in Lincoln city. Only the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by ofsted on the Early Years Register and the comuplsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time when working alone and for eight children under eight years when working with an assistant. There are currently 18 children on roll and of these seven are in the early years age range. She hold a level 3 childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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 assistant recognise and value the uniqueness of each child that attends. Children are happy and settled within the organised environment. Effective partnerships with parents have been established to ensure children's welfare needs are consistently met. Partnerships with other providers are starting to become established to ensure consistency and coherence in children's care and learning and they are making good progress. Most of the required documentation is in place which ensures children are safeguarded. The childminder has started to self-evaluate her provision and she has clear vision for the future of how she intends to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 Promote the good health of children by ensuring written records of all medicines administered to children are maintained. 18/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system to demonstrate how all activities planned link to the six areas of learning and highlight the next steps in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has devised and implemented an effective safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents of the childminder's and her assistants roles and responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Detailed and effective risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and any outings undertaken with the children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain valid and consistent. An emergency evacuation plan is in place. This is recorded and practiced with the children, helping to raise their awareness of safety within the home. The childminder deploys resources well. Both the childminder and her assistant attend training through the local authority and they regularly meet with other childminders to share ideas and practice, which enables them to update her knowledge and skills. Children have access to all downstairs areas of the

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the early years provision

childminder's home. There is a dedicated playroom which allows free access to the enclosed rear garden and there is sufficient space for children to carry out their activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's health and welfare well as she works closely with parents to ensure they provide healthy balanced diets. The childminder provides healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and the children's drinks. All required written parental permissions are in place for the childminder to administer medication and seek any necessary medical advice or treatment, enhancing childrens well-being. However, the childminder has not consistently kept a record of all medication administered and this is a requirement under the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder ensures all parents have access to her written policies and procedures. Information about the children is verbally exchanged daily and parents have access to children's development records at any time they wish to see them. She has sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation stage and has devised her practice to include development records for all the children in the early years age range who attend. However, observations that are made of the children's learning do not all link to the six areas of learning. Although the childminder makes observations of children through the planned, adult-led, focussed activities, she has not yet implemented a system for making observations of the childrens own intiated play to ensure she effectively monitors what they are doing and link it to the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home and they are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder interacts with the children in their freely chosen play and she is warm and caring towards them. The environment is well organised with a separate play room that houses all resources. Children are able to freely choose and access resources and take them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to any part of the downstairs areas, helping to raise their self esteem and give them a sense of belonging. All toys are stored in boxes and are at child height. The childminder regularly changes the toys to ensure children's interest is maintained and that they are suitably challenged. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The childminder plans a variety of activities that help children to progress in their learning, which she knows children enjoy. Children go

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and outcomes for children

on regular outings and weekly visits to the local childminder group, where they are able to meet and play with other children. The childminder also plans outings to places of interest such as the local parks where the children can explore, play ball games and feed the ducks. Children's welfare and safety is fully supported. They feel safe within the childminder's home as they confidently approach her and are developing their independence as they make individual choices. The childminder and her assistant both hold a current and valid first aid certificate and the childminder has devised and implemented clear and effective policies and procedures to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Children have regular access to activities and toys which encourage independance and help to develop skills such as problem solving, literacy and communication. For example, they enjoy, jigsaws, small world play and looking at

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and outcomes for children

books, both independently and with the childminder. Children of all ages have opportunities for mark making as they participate in craft and creative activities such as painting, collage and play dough. The childminder plans focussed activities which help develop children's awareness and understanding of the wider world. For example, the children enjoyed making their own bird feeders and watching the different birds that visit the garden. 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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