Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341639 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and one child aged two years in South Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is registered to work with two assistants. When working with one assistant she may care for 11 children under eight years at any one time. When working with two assistants she may care for 17 children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding 16 children, of whom 11 are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park. The family has a pet cat. The childminder 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 feel contented and secure because their individual routines are known and effectively met in a caring, homely environment. The childminder ensures that children have time to make choices about what to do although this is not always balanced with planned adult activities. Children are making steady progress in their learning and development because the childminder and her assistants interact with them to support their play. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's progress and daily experiences and works with other providers to promote consistency in children's learning. The childminder explains how she keeps children safe when away from the home. Systems are in place to enable the childminder self-evaluate her provision and identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 formalise the recording of risk assessment for outings  improve planning to provide experiences that cover all areas of learning and a balance of adult-led and freely-chosen activities appropriate to each child's stage of development to enable them to fully progress towards the early learning goals  ensure that parents have the opportunity to be a part of their child's learning by contributing to their assessment records. 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 well protected from abuse and neglect because the childminder and her assistants have undergone safeguarding training and know how to report concerns to the relevant agencies. Children are kept safe in the home and garden because the childminder updates her risk assessments regularly. Consequently, children play in a safe environment. The childminder explains how she keeps children safe in the car and when away from the home. Although the record of risk assessments does not show this. Children can safely access toys and resources because these are stored at their height and are in good condition. The home is organised so that children have a quiet place to sleep and can monitored at all times. Consequently, they are safe.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of appealing toys and resources in a dedicated playroom which is made stimulating with photographs of the children and posters. They also have access to other rooms in the home and the garden which is used to promote physical play and also for other activities such as painting, sand, water and role play. The childminder firmly believes in giving children opportunity to initiate their own play and learning promoting their ability to make choices and independence. She can explain how she plans some activities to help promote their learning and development. However, there is an imbalance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences and the planned activities do not equally cover all areas of learning. Therefore, children are making steady progress in their learning and development. Records of children's progress show their achievements and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds working relationships with parents and collects information about the children when they first start. This information is used to build on what the children can do. Information is shared with parents daily keeping them informed of their child's day. Parents have the opportunity to review their child's developmental record during the year although there are no systems in place to enable them to add their own comments. Consequently, these records do not give a full overview of the children's learning and development. Channels of communication help to ensure that information is exchanged with other early years settings that children attend. Therefore, benefiting the children.

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the early years provision

A range of written policies and procedures are implemented to underpin the care of the children. Therefore, children's general well-being is effectively promoted. The childminder has systems in place to help self-evaluate her provision. As a result she is able to identify areas for improvement and has addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. The childminder ensures that she and her assistants regularly attend training to update their knowledge and skills. They have meetings each morning to decide on the day's events. Thus, showing good communication and deployment of staff. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children have a very good understanding of hygiene and dental health because these are routinely practiced from an early age. The childminder ensures that children receive fresh air daily and take part in the Top Start Healthy Tots programme ensuring they have regular exercise and understand the benefits of this. The childminder and assistants have all completed training in food hygiene. Consequently, this is prepared accordingly. Children benefit from a very healthy diet which is freshly prepared each day. They experience different tastes because the childminder provides food from different cultures, such as, pasta or chilli served with fresh vegetables and fruit. The childminder prevents the spread of infections through good routine hygiene. This includes wearing disposable aprons and gloves when changing nappies.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. They are discouraged from entering the kitchen when meals are being cooked and know they must be supervised on the trampoline. Children understand the hot weather rule of 'No hat, no garden' is in place to protect them from the sun. All children have a designated drawer. Consequently, they develop a sense of belonging. Younger children are developing their physical skills and spatial awareness as they crawl through tunnels and push doll's buggys around the room avoiding crashing into their friends.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and feel safe in the childminder's care. They enjoy cuddles and a positive relationship with the childminder and her assistants who meet their individual routines well. Children enjoy stories and actively find books for the childminder to read to them. When they have had enough they say 'The end' and put the book away before choosing another. Children have different opportunities to develop their independent writing. Younger children enjoy making marks on paper and painting or chalking in the garden. Older children develop an understanding of letters as they play games such as 'I-spy'.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children enjoy playing with musical toys, such as, dance mats and toy electronic guitars. They bob up and down as they move to music and smile to show they enjoy this. Younger children are learning to share because the childminder and her assistants promote this. As a result the children are learning to play alongside and with their friends. All children receive equal opportunities to play with the toys provided, for example, children are playing with cars, pretend tools, dolls and prams promoting gender free play. 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 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 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 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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