Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346350 Inspection date 14/04/2011 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

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 partner and three children in Bracebridge Health, Lincolnshire. The whole ground floor 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. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently three 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. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled because their individual needs are met by the caring childminder. They are generally well-supported and challenged in all areas of learning, which enables them to make overall good progress in their learning and development. Children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted through the childminder's effective practices and procedures. Partnership working with parents and carers is good and the childminder is aware of the benefits of developing links with other providers to promote an integrated approach to children's care and learning. The childminder has developed her practice since the last inspection and her mainly effective system of self-evaluation promotes continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the process of self-evaluation to ensure the setting's strengths and priorities for development are continually identified  develop further awareness of responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant 'Local Authority Environmental Health Department'  provide opportunities for children to become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disability issues. 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 cared for in the safe, secure home. Space and resources are organised effectively, creating an interesting, accessible play space for children. The childminder has made improvements by working on the recommendation raised at the previous inspection. For example, parental permission forms are in place for outings and for obtaining emergency medical treatment or advice. This ensures children's health and safety is maintained all times. Children are further protected from potential harm through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection procedures and through her robust risk assessment procedures, which are used to identify and minimise potential hazards.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures all necessary records and documents are in place, completed with the required information and used effectively to promote positive outcomes for children. She maintains a current first aid certificate and regularly updates her knowledge and skills through her commitment to ongoing training and development. The childminder is focused on continually driving her setting forward and she is generally well aware of her strengths and areas requiring further development. For example, the childminder plans to further develop her process of self-evaluation to fully ensure she celebrates her achievements and continually identifies effective areas for future improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers, gathering and sharing clear information to ensure children's individual needs are valued and promoted. This results in all children being respected inline with their backgrounds and beliefs and enabled to make good progress from their unique starting points. However, opportunities for children to learn about differences and diversity are not always effectively promoted by the childminder. The childminder records clear information relating to children's daily care, learning and development onto a computerised system. Parents and carers are then provided with their own unique access code so that they can view this information at anytime. The childminder ensures the system is kept up-to-date to ensure the information viewed by parents is always accurate. The childminder is aware of the benefits of working in partnership with other providers, settings and agencies to ensure an integrated

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the early years provision

approach to children's care and learning is promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy as they have fun playing in the designated playroom with a good range of accessible toys and resources. Outside play space is also organised effectively to provide children with access to interesting toys and resources covering the six areas of learning. For example, children develop their physical skills as they climb on the resources, ride on the toys and bounce on the trampoline. They enjoy opportunities to draw on the chalk board and to experiment with the play guttering. They are encouraged to learn about healthy eating as they plant and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Children's good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 health is further promoted through effective health and hygiene routines, which help to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, children are not permitted to attend the setting when they are unwell and they use an automatic soap

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and outcomes for children

dispenser and paper towels when washing and drying their hands. Children are provided with healthy meals and snacks and they are encouraged to clean their own teeth after meals, which helps them to learn good personal care routines. However, the childminder has yet to register with the relevant 'Local Authority Environmental Health Department' with regard to the provision of food, to fully ensure these requirements are met. Children remain safe because they are constantly supervised by the vigilant childminder. Clear outings procedures are adhered to, to ensure children's welfare is fully maintained. Children's awareness of safety issues is well-promoted through activities, discussions and regular events. For example, children develop road safety and stranger danger awareness during outings and they learn how to evacuate the home safely during regular fire evacuation practices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and show good levels of security within the childminder's care. They behave well and enjoy socialising with their peers, developing co-operation and interaction skills as they play together. Minor disagreements are dealt with in a developmentally appropriate manner, with the childminder helping children to learn the difference between right from wrong. Children enjoy participating in a wide range of hands-on learning experiences which are delivered through indoor and outdoor play and are planned inline with children's interests and developmental needs. Observation and assessment records are used to monitor children's progress and to identify individual children's next steps for learning. This ensures every child makes good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are encouraged to use mathematical language and to count during their everyday play opportunities. For example, the childminder regularly asks children how many toys

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and outcomes for children

they are playing with or she asks them to pass her two of their toys. Their problem solving abilities are developing as they complete puzzles, identifying and matching the pieces together. Younger children enjoy colouring opportunities or making marks on magnetic writing boards. As children begin to develop their control and co-ordination they are encouraged to draw specific simple shapes and then to form basic recognisable letters. Children's language and communication skills are continually promoted as the childminder talks to them during play. They enjoy being creative as they participate in painting and sticking activities and their imagination is promoted during role play activities. Children access a good range of information and communication technology toys and resources to support their learning. 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 3 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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