Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 208928 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The majority of the childminder's accessible ground floor home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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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 six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 are happy and settled because the childminder works in partnership with parents and carers to ensure their individual needs are fully. Partnership working with other providers and systems to promote children's learning and development are generally effective. The childminder implements her clear policies and procedures to safeguard children and promote their welfare. Improvements made since the last inspection have further enhanced children's safety and the childminder's clear self-evaluation system enables her to maintain high standards of care and learning for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the methods used to monitor children's progress within each area of learning  develop clearer links with other providers where the care of children is shared, to ensure the full exchange of information relating to children's care, learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains a clean, safe and well-maintained home to protect children's well-being. She ensures all household members are known to Ofsted, resulting in all adults within the home undergoing relevant suitability checks. The childminder remains in sole charge of the children at all times, resulting in them being constantly supervised whether inside, outside or on outings. Through the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 use of clear risk assessment procedures, potential hazards are identified and minimised. The childminder is also knowledgeable about child protection and she has further developed her clear policy to include procedures to follow if allegations are made against her, to ensure parents are fully aware of her role and responsibilities. The childminder maintains clear records, documents and policies and uses them to promote positive outcomes for children. All of these effective

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the early years provision

practices and procedures result in children being fully safeguarded from potential harm.

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the early years provision

Space and resources are organised well to create an accessible environment where children learn through play. The childminder promotes the inclusion of all children, ensuring their individuality is fully respected and valued. Each child is fully supported and enabled to make progress from their unique starting points. The childminder works well with parents and carers, sharing and exchanging clear information to ensure children's interests and individual needs are continually met. Systems are in place to ensure parents and carers receive clear information about the childminder's provision and their children's daily care routines and progress. Links with other settings the children attend are in place. However, the childminder has yet to further develop the range of information exchanged with them, to fully ensure the integration of children's care and learning. The childminder strives to maintain good standards of care and learning for all children. She uses an effective

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the early years provision

system of self-evaluation to monitor her practice and procedures, leading to the clear identification of targets for further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel settled and secure in the warm and welcoming home. They have great fun playing in the designated play space where they freely access an extensive range of well-maintained, developmentally-appropriate toys and resources to meet their needs. Children's health is protected through good health and hygiene routines, which are in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection. For example, children are not permitted to attend when they are suffering from a contagious illness. Children are encouraged to learn good handwashing practices as part of their daily routine. The childminder uses a range of fun activities to promote children's knowledge of other personal healthcare routines. For example, she uses a smiley crocodile toy to show children how to brush and care for their teeth properly. Children are encouraged to be active through regular outdoor play. Additional trips to the park provide children with further opportunities to develop

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and outcomes for children

their physical skills and well-being. Children are encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet and she liaises closely with parents and carers to ensure their dietary requirements are met. They learn about the benefits of healthy eating and being active, because the childminder discusses this with them. Children's safety is protected because the childminder is vigilant and supervises them well. Clear outings routines are in place, ensuring children remain safe when they are away form the childminder's home. Children's awareness of how to maintain their own safety is effectively promoted. For example, during outings children develop good road safety awareness and through regular fire drills children learn to evacuate the home quickly and safely. Children are also encouraged to learn how to respect and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 treat the childminder's dog, whilst also learning the importance of not approaching

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and outcomes for children

other dogs which are unfamiliar to them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good and their social skills are developing as they regularly attend toddler groups where they are encouraged to play co-operatively with their peers. They access a good range of toys and resources depicting positive images of differences and diversity. Planned activities covering multicultural events and festivals, further help children to learn about the wider world in which they live. Children engage in a wide range of purposeful learning experiences, which are planned around their interests and their developmental needs. Observations and assessment are in place and they are continually shared with parents and carers. They show children's interests and some achievements, however, the childminder has yet to further develop these methods to more accurately monitor children's progress in all areas of learning. Children's learning is effectively promoted in the interesting outdoor environment. For example, they enjoy opportunities to mark-

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and outcomes for children

make on the chalk board, to experiment with the guttering and to observe their reflection in the mirror. Children's language and communication skills are skilfully promoted because the childminder continually communicates and questions them as they play. This rich use of language challenges children to think as they are encouraged to learn through their play experiences. Children have lots of fun as the childminder follows their lead and engages in their chosen play experiences with them. For example, children's interest is maintained as they play imaginatively with the toy horses. Children find it amusing when their horse continually knocks down the jumps, which the childminder has set up for them. Children's awareness of numbers and counting is promoted as they sing number rhymes. They enjoy completing puzzles and using shape sorters, where they are encouraged to problem solve when finding where the puzzle pieces or the shapes actually fit.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a good range of electronic and battery operated toys and resources, promoting their interest and skill in this area. All of this helps children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. 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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