Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY412825 Inspection date 05/04/2011 Inspector Mary Kelly

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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 2010. He lives with his wife and two children aged four years old and 11 months old in Broughton Astley near Leicester. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect from local schools and pre-schools. The family have two pet guinea pigs.

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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, 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, who attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over 5 years. He is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. He 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 very well cared for by this dedicated childminder. The childminder provides many excellent opportunities for children to enjoy and achieve in the Early Years Foundation Stage because he has a very good understanding of how to help the children make progress and access a range of experiences to enjoy their learning. Most documentation was up-to-date and available for inspection on the day. The childminder is committed to developing and improving the quality of his service, consequently realistic plans for the future are in place. Every child is welcomed and supported by the childminder who appreciates their individuality and uniqueness. Very effective partnerships ensure that children's needs are met and excellent information is exchanged.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the register consistently reflects the time of children's arrive at the setting  complete and maintain the learning journeys for all children to ensure progression towards the early learning goals  develop behaviour management strategies to ensure they are consistent. 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-safeguarded because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection including signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder has very clear procedures for reporting concerns and would do so without hesitation. Children play very safely within the home environment and when on outings because the childminder has given excellent, careful consideration to risk assessments and safety checks. Children are involved in making risk assessments for a range of activities and are asked to think about 'what are the risks?' and 'what should we do to stay safe?' This ensures that they have an excellent awareness of their own safety in the setting. All members of the household undergo suitability checks and the childminder displays his registration certificate and public liability insurance certificate in the hallway so all parents are aware that these are in place. Past entries for children's attendance is clearly

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the early years provision

recorded and reflects their arrival and departure times. However, on the day of the inspection, minded children's attendance was not recorded in the register. This does not fully demonstrate how the childminder remains within ratios at all times. The childminder is very well-organised and has plans in place, which the parents are aware of through verbal communication, home from home books and regular newsletter updates. He makes excellent use of his home and resources, both indoors and in the garden where children can take part in a wide range of activities. The childminder has devised a range of policies and procedures and shares these with parents. Settling in procedures are flexible and individual to the needs of the family. Children are able to develop sensitivity for animals as the childminder has two guinea pigs that they are able to see when in the garden.

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the early years provision

Extremely effective partnerships with local preschools and schools ensure that excellent quality information is exchanged on a regular basis and the childminder uses this information to assist in planning a full range of activities for the children to ensure that they have access to different activities when with the childminder. The childminder has a positive attitude to inclusive practice and feels strongly that all children should be encouraged to reach their full potential. He organises activities and cooks different types of food to reflect festivals, such as, Chinese New Year where the children tasted noodles, prawn crackers and sweet and sour pork. The childminder is fully committed to developing and improving the quality of his service through ongoing training and has recently attended his home based childcare course, has done online training for child protection and is booked on further training in this area with the local authority. He has used the Ofsted self-

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the early years provision

evaluation form to focus his priorities for further development and this enables him to reflect on his practice and secure good outcomes for children. The childminder has clear aspirations for the future and plans to continue training, which will develop and enable his practice to be consolidated further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage because the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is fully committed to implementing it successfully. Children have free choice in their play and the childminder has high expectations of children's potential and helps them achieve good outcomes. The childminder has given good consideration to planning and delivering an exciting activity programme, he uses high quality resources that children easily access. Planning and assessment systems have been carefully devised and the childminder has realistic targets for children to aim for. All children are observed regularly and assessments are in place and the childminder has devised wonderful learning journals for each child. However, not all observations have been recorded into the learning journals, so some next steps for children's learning may not be fully identified.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children very well, is sensitive to children's needs and has actually devised a game to distract a child who was a little unsettled when separating from her parent. The childminder hides favourite dolls of television characters in the home and garden and the children go and look for these when they arrive, enabling the child to settle well afterwards. He has established children's starting points by using 'All about me' profiles and the older children are able to write their own profile with information about their likes and dislikes and their friends. Parents and carers are extremely well-informed about their child's progress and feedback from the childminder's questionnaires to parents indicates that they are very happy and appreciate the service the childminder provides. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to inclusion. For example, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified without delay and

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and outcomes for children

the childminder will ensure that he is fully aware of additional information required. Children learn about diversity because the childminder assists the children think and value differences in society, such as, people in wheelchairs by using books and discussion.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of security and belonging within the home and have excellent relationships with the childminder. Children's behaviour is mostly appropriate. They respond well to the childminder's patient and calm disposition. However, not all children respond appropriately at all times, therefore, behaviour management strategies are not always effective to ensure children's needs are met. Children display good levels of confidence and independence and are keen to take off their shoes and hang up their coats on their own pegs. They settle quickly into the childminder's home and daily routine. They demonstrate an interest with living things as they are looking at the life cycle of the frog and are keen to look at the progress of their tadpoles daily. They have access to a laptop and are able to use other resources to support technology in the setting, such as, the game and music players. Early number skills are evident as children count whilst playing and

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and outcomes for children

love singing number rhymes, especially five little ducks which is accompanied by the childminder wearing a glove with the ducks to reinforce counting. Children love to explore in the outdoor environment and negotiate space well. Children practise their mark making skills by using the large white board on the wall and chalking on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the pavement. Children love looking at books and have a wide range of books available to them. They are aware that print carries meaning and regularly enjoy their time visiting a group at the local library. They have access to a range of places that are visited regularly, such as, local parks, playgroups and recycling banks where they are able to assist the childminder to recycle. Overall, children are developing very good skills to support their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely content because their individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to an exceptional standards. Detailed documentation is in place to support their needs for example, the childminder takes emergency contact details which are stored in a book with him when he takes the children out of the home environment. He has also had beaded bracelets with his mobile number on made for the children to wear when they go on outings. Children are gently encouraged to take responsibility for their development, such as, hand washing. Children are very keen to keep themselves safe. For example, they describe how to keep themselves safe following discussion topics and activities during 'fire week'. The children were able to tell the inspector about dialling 999 and how they would make themselves safe in the event of a fire. Fire safety is very well-considered and the childminder has a comprehensive fire evacuation procedure and plan for

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and outcomes for children

evacuation which the children practice on a regular basis. Healthy eating is given paramount importance. The childminder has considered how to cater for the children's individual dietary needs and has a very healthy menu available, promoting fresh, nutritious food. Snacks are always healthy and fresh water is freely available and the children are gently reminded to keep themselves hydrated. Mealtimes are a sociable time as the childminder sits at the table with the children and enjoy informal conversations as they eat their lunches. Children use the garden on a daily basis and are taken to places of interest and walks in the local community. This ensures that they develop their physical skills and appreciate outdoor activities. 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 1 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 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 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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