Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344848 Inspection date 06/04/2011 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in Cherry Willingham, Lincolnshire. The whole house is used for childminding, with most play taking place on the ground floor and sleeping facilities located on the first floor. The premises are accessible by one small step. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time when working alone, for ten children when working with one assistant and for 16 children when working with two assistants. There are currently ten children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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. She 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are skilfully supported and their individuality is fully respected and valued because the childminder works extremely closely with parents and carers. Links with all other providers have yet to be further established to ensure children benefit fully from an integrated approach to their care and learning. The childminder's highly effective planning, observation and assessment systems enable every child to achieve to their full potential. Children's welfare is promoted and they are fully safeguarded through the implementation of the childminder's mainly effective policies and procedures. The childminder has maintained an outstanding provision as she continually strives for excellence, moving her provision forward through her robust self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to develop links with all providers involved with individual children to promote continuity of care and learning fully  continuing to develop risk assessment records to include all outings fully.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, inclusive home, where their individuality is fully respected and valued. Space and resources are extremely well organised inside, with the childminder continually developing the outside play space to make it more stimulating and challenging for children. Children have great This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fun as they access an extensive range of good quality toys and resources freely in the designated playroom, which creates an environment where they learn through play. Meticulous policies and procedures are implemented to safeguard children and promote their welfare. For example, the childminder and her assistant deploy themselves very well to ensure children are constantly supervised and clear outings procedures, including the use of high-visibility jackets, protect children when they are away from the childminder's home. The childminder and her

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the early years provision

assistant also hold current first-aid certificates to ensure they can deal with any emergency situations confidently as they arise. Potential hazards are identified and minimised inside, outside and on outings through the childminder's excellent risk assessment procedures. However, although hazards are minimised, the record of these checks lacks clear information relating to all outings. Children are further protected from potential harm through the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of child-protection issues and procedures. All necessary records, documents and policies are in place and the majority of them are accurately maintained. They are stored securely and used effectively to provide an excellent framework for the care of children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works exceptionally well with parents and carers, continually gathering and exchanging clear information. Children's individuality is recognised and valued because the childminder obtains comprehensive information from parents and carers from the outset. This helps every child to feel settled and secure, whilst also enabling the childminder to plan and provide an inclusive environment, building on individual children's experiences and knowledge. The childminder acts as a positive role model, which helps children to learn to respect others for their unique qualities. The childminder provides parents with a wealth of information about their children's care, learning and development through written daily diaries, observation and assessment records and verbal communication. The childminder works very closely with some providers where the care of children is shared. However, these highly effective links have yet to be established with all

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the early years provision

providers, to ensure children benefit fully from continuity of care and learning. The childminder maintains an outstanding provision because she has a clear vision and she is committed to enhancing the service she provides on a continual basis. She monitors her practice and procedures effectively through a meticulous self- evaluation system, which contributes actively to sustained improvement in all areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's warm and welcoming home. Space and resources are effectively organised to provide an accessible, child- friendly play space where children learn through play. Children show high levels of confidence and security as they access their toys and resources independently. They have great fun as they participate in a wide range of interesting adult-led and child-initiated play experiences, planned around their interests and developmental needs. Activities are continually adapted to ensure every child can participate at their own level of ability. For example, during a painting activity babies and toddlers are fully supported as they paint with brushes and briefly explore the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 paint using their fingers. When they tire of the activity, their needs are met as they go off to play in the designated play room. Older children remain at the table and

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and outcomes for children

after painting their papier mache vases, they begin to experiment and explore what happens when they mix the colours together. One child exclaims excitedly that they have made orange and when promoted by the childminder they recall how they made it by mixing the red and the yellow paint together. Other children listen and then begin to experiment and mix their colours together. Although the activity has changed from the childminder's original plan, she observes the new learning potential and instinctively follows children's interests and provides them with additional colours to experiment with. Children soon exclaim excitedly that they have now made purple. The children are allowed to explore their creativity freely as they move from using brushes to hand painting. Children laugh as they squelch the paint through their fingers, with the childminder encouraging them to listen to the noise it makes. The childminder's highly-skilled approach results in

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and outcomes for children

children's learning being effectively promoted.

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and outcomes for children

All children access and use a wide range of electronic and programmable toys and resources to support their learning. They benefit from regular outdoor play, with the childminder continually developing the use and organisation of her outside play space to ensure it is stimulating and challenging for children. Children access books freely and they enjoy listening to stories read aloud by the childminder. Regular opportunities to write, draw and make marks are provided during activities like colouring and playing in the sand. The childminder identifies a colour, shape and a number each week, which she promotes with all children. Parents and carers are provided with this information so they can consolidate and further promote their children's learning at home. Clear observation and assessments records are used effectively by the childminder to monitor children's progress in each area of learning. This ensures every child reaches their full potential from their specific

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is very well maintained. The home and garden are securely maintained and the constant vigilance of the childminder ensures children remain safe at all times, whether inside, outside or on outings. Children's well- being is protected through highly-effective hygiene routines and the exclusion of children when they are ill. This helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks, which meet their dietary requirements fully and are either provided by the childminder or the child's parents. Children are actively encouraged to be active during regular indoor and outdoor physical play activities where they are beginning to learn about how exercise effects their bodies. Highly-informative activities help to promote children's awareness of health and safety issues. For example, children learn how to cut and chop vegetables safely when making healthy vegetable soup. The daily

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and outcomes for children

routine is also used to create purposeful learning experiences for children. For example, during regular walks children learn how to cross the road safely and they develop good hand-washing practices during the daily routine. The use of a hand sanitizer pump located next to the entrance door, also minimises the risk of infection entering the setting. Posters displaying healthy eating and information about the body, provide rich visual references to further promote children's knowledge about health and bodily awareness. Children play cooperatively together and they relate well to their peers. Their behaviour is predominantly very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good because they are fully stimulated and they are aware of and respect the childminder's clear, consistent boundaries. Their self-esteem is promoted through the childminder offering regular praise and encouragement. Children's awareness

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and outcomes for children

of the wider world is promoted as they play with a good range of toys depicting positive images of differences and diversity. Planned activities are also provided to further develop children's knowledge in this area. This helps to lay a secure foundation for children's continued learning and development. 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 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 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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