Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225288 Inspection date 15/04/2011 Inspector Alison Putnar

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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 1987. She lives with her husband on the outskirts of Loughborough within walking distance of the local school, pre-school groups and village amenities. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom facilities on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll with varying attendance patterns, four are in the early years age range.

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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 appear happy and settled in the childminder's care. Suitable ranges of play activities are provided that keep children interested and help them to make some progress. The childminder informally observes children's achievements and is at the early stage of considering next steps for children to work towards. She communicates generally well with parents and other settings the children attend, gathering information to enable her to begin to cater for individual care needs. The childminder has not yet completed a self-evaluation of her practice, as a result, some of the paperwork required for childminding is not in place. The childminder has a sensible attitude to keeping children safe.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 review the organisation of paper work ensuring that all required documents are in place with regard to obtaining written permission to seek medical attention in an emergency (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 15/05/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to observe and monitor children's progress, highlighting next steps for children to work towards to help them reach their full potential in all six areas of learning  extend the two-way flow of information with parents and other settings the children attend to provide greater continuity in children's learning  develop methods to review practice highlighting and addressing areas for improvement to further improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is well-maintained in the setting. The childminder has a clear understanding of procedures for reporting child protection issues should the need arise. She has obtained a range of written policies and procedures to guide her practice. These are shown to parents promoting a shared sense of responsibility in keeping children safe and healthy, also enabling parents to feel confident in the childminder's practices. The childminder has a sensible attitude to promoting safety in the home, completing written risk assessments to identify and reduce potential hazards. Children are supervised well to further ensure their safety and household members are appropriately vetted ensuring their suitability to be around children.

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the early years provision

The home and resources are well-organised. A nicely presented, homely environment is provided. Children have good amounts of space to play and relax using a range of comfortable domestic furnishings. Some toys are arranged in low- level boxes and units to enable children to access them independently. Others are stored in an upstairs room. The childminder rotates these frequently to ensure children continue to enjoy their play. The childminder has some resources which reflect our diverse society helping children to begin to explore similarities and differences in positive ways. The garden is used to provide opportunities for outdoor play and wider experiences, exploring mark making skills when chalking on the patio, as well as, developing physical skills using the wheeled toys or climbing frame.

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the early years provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and completes most required records with them when they first attend. A suitable settling-in system ensures the childminder forms close bonds with parents and children, as a result, she knows the minded children well. She communicates suitably with other settings the children attend to provide continuity in children's care, such as, passing on relevant information about accidents, less information is shared currently about children's developmental progress, missing opportunities for all to work together to provide continuity in children's education.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection, she now ensures that records of medication are shared with parents and has updated her safeguarding children policy, improving aspects of safety for children. She has maintained an up-to-date first aid qualification. The childminder has begun to review her service highlighting areas of good practice. However, as a full self- evaluation has not been completed, the childminder has overlooked some requirements for maintaining paperwork. She presents a positive attitude to addressing these issues, but, now needs to implement the improvements to have a positive outcome for the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time playing and make steady progress in learning during the activities they encounter. The childminder knows the children well and is beginning to consider areas of their learning that she could further support. However, she has not yet established systems to monitor and track individuals development to ensure children make progress in all six areas of learning equally, as a result, children may not make as much progress as they are capable of. Children develop some skills for the future during their play. Their communication skills are supported as the childminder engages in play and conversations with them. Together they share books as a tool for future reading skills.

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and outcomes for children

Trips to meet with other registered childminder's provide opportunities for young children to develop social skills as they mix with other children of a similar age. The childminder has a sensible attitude to managing behaviour and uses sensitive techniques to encourage children to consider the consequence of their behaviour to help them learn. Praise and rewards, such as, sticker charts are used to reinforce good behaviour and achievements. Activities, such as, board games, jigsaws and playing ball in the garden are used to help children learn to share and take turns fairly. Children access a good range of craft activities which encourage children to practise using single-handed tools, such as, crayons and glue sticks, developing control needed for future writing skills. Children's imagination is appropriately supported as they play with small world toys, such as, the fire station, action figures and dinosaurs. Young children develop their mathematical

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and outcomes for children

skills as they count objects, talk about shape and describe colours when playing with the childminder and recognising numbers on toys, such as, the toy till.

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and outcomes for children

Good relationships are evident between the childminder and children. As a result, children are confident and settled in the childminder's care, enabling them to explore the toys on offer and voice their needs. Time is taken to support children with personal independence skills, such as, putting on their own shoes. The accessible toilet supports children to manage their own personal needs, whilst the childminder reminds them of good hygiene practices ensuring they wash their hands thoroughly. Routines and discussions are used to help young children develop an awareness of keeping healthy and staying safe. Children demonstrate their understanding of the importance of these routines commenting 'to get rid of germs' when talking about washing hands. A child recalls that they do not touch the oven when baking as it could burn. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that dietary needs are catered for, snacks and refreshments are regularly

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and outcomes for children

offered and include some healthy options. Regular trips out enable children to benefit from the fresh air and exercise as they visit local green spaces and parks. Children also practise and extend physical skills as they use the garden, exploring wheeled toys, climbing frames and ball games. Children begin to learn about safe practices when crossing roads safely with the childminder. Indoors, she helps children to consider safety through discussions, such as, the need to hold the banister on the stairs to prevent accidents. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 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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