Childminder in CumberlandOfsted inspection, 14 Apr 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317098 Inspection date 14/04/2011 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 1994. The childminder's business is called, 'Little Acorns'. She lives with her husband and three adult children on the outskirts of Carlisle, near to Houghton village. The whole of the ground floor of the house, apart from the utility room, is registered for childminding use, along with two upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently 11 children on roll, of whom nine are in the early years age group. The childminder has use of a car to transport children on outings and school runs. She takes children to a number of pre-school and toddler groups in the local area. The childminder provides flexible care from Monday to Saturday, the hours of which are negotiated with parents.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of Carlisle and District Childminders Group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary 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

The childminder has a number of years experience as an early years practitioner and gives her undivided attention to effectively support the children in her care, therefore they settle effortlessly into this warm, welcoming, safe and secure environment. Children make choices and decisions in their play as they independently help themselves to a good selection of accessible toys and resources and take part in interesting and stimulating activities, which help them make good progress in their learning and development. A wealth of information, documents and records are maintained to ensure children's health, safety and well-being are promoted. Positive relationships with parents are fully established, ensuring continuity of children's care and partnerships with other settings are initiated in order to complement children's learning. The childminder has made a very good start to the self-evaluation process and is committed to continuously improving her

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

provision so that she continues to provide high quality care for parents, carers and children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a tracking system to record children's progress and achievements in the six areas of learning towards the early learning goals. 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 protected and effectively safeguarded through the safe practices, policies and procedures implemented by this very experienced childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues having recently attended refresher safeguarding training. She demonstrates a secure knowledge of her role and responsibilities and who she must contact in the event of any child protection concerns. A detailed safeguarding policy is implemented and shared with parents and carers. Record-keeping documents are maintained to support children's welfare and safety, for example, accidents, incidents and existing injuries. The childminder completes visual safety checks around her home before children arrive and a detailed written risk assessment is made for all aspects of the environment, including each type of outing. The childminder makes sure safety equipment is in place and safety procedures are followed, therefore children are

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the early years provision

kept safe and protected from the potential risk of any hazard or accident. Safety gates are used on the stairs and children are supervised when playing in the garden. Exterior doors and garden gates are kept secure so that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. Children help themselves to a good selection of age-appropriate resources. These are deployed effectively to support children's individual needs and interests, and therefore contribute to their ongoing development and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised. She has a compiled a comprehensive portfolio of policies and procedures, and a wealth of information is available for parents. The childminder has made a good start to the self-evaluation process. She has a very positive attitude towards this and requests suggestions from parents by asking them to complete detailed questionnaires regarding her practice. The childminder has made improvements to her practice since she was last inspected and her previous recommendation has been met. The childminder is committed and dedicated to continually improving her knowledge and understanding by attending a number of training courses and cluster group meetings. She recognises her strengths and areas for development and constantly makes changes to her practice.

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the early years provision

Positive relationships are established with parents and, as a result, children's continuity of care is assured and their individual needs are known and followed. Parents express a high regard for the care and service the childminder provides for them. They state how 'children enjoy attending' and how they are 'happy with all aspects of provision'. On registering, parents complete detailed 'all about me' record sheets, which request all the individual information required regarding children's welfare and care needs, interests, development and preferences. A daily diary is completed by the childminder and given to parents, who also add comments. Information is also shared verbally at arrival and collection times. Newsletters ensure that parents and carers are kept up-to-date with forthcoming events, and ideas are offered by the childminder as to how parents can continue to help with their children's learning at home. The childminder has initiated links with

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the early years provision

other settings children attend, ensuring that the continuity and complementing of children's learning takes place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, contented and settle effortlessly in this warm and welcoming environment. They follow their individual routines as discussed with parents, therefore they are confident and feel safe and secure. Children develop a secure attachment with their childminder who clearly understands their individual needs and requirements. She provides them with a wide range of inclusive play opportunities, activities and resources that support their learning and development. The childminder devotes her day to meeting children's individual needs and skilfully challenges and extends children's play to cover all areas of learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and child development. She ensures a reasonable balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities are provided. Routines are followed so younger children feel safe and secure. Planning is flexible and incorporates cultural and seasonal events. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder gathers information about children's starting points from parents and completes simple but effective observations and assessments. The next steps in children's learning are identified to inform future practice. The childminder follows the children's lead, skilfully reinforces learning and challenges children as they play. As a result, children seem to be making good progress in their development, although this is difficult to fully determine as tracking of children's development and learning is not clearly recorded in their progress books.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder extends children's language and communication skills as they play. She has developed a close bond with the children in her care. They are very well behaved, well mannered and confident to ask for alternative toys and activities. Children enjoy imaginative play. They play with an assortment of emergency vehicles and re-enact rescuing people with the small world toys. Children talk about keeping safe and how the firefighter puts out the fire. The childminder encourages children to count the number of steps on the ladder that the firefighter climbs and they competently name the colour of the vehicles. Children enjoy craft activities where their mark making skills, hand-eye coordination and physical development are supported. Easter crafts are enjoyed by the children. They make colourful yellow Easter chicks that are creatively displayed on the wall, promoting their self-esteem and contributing to their sense of

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and outcomes for children

belonging. Children learn about other cultures and celebrate different festivals, such as Chinese New Year. Their understanding of difference and diversity is supported by looking at books and dressing up in hats and costumes. Children thrive on the childminder's positive behaviour management strategies. She promotes a positive outlook on life of sharing, caring, praising and achieving, which is supported by a successful sticker reward system.

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and outcomes for children

A healthy lifestyle is promoted by the childminder. Children engage in numerous outdoor activities that promote their physical development and knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They visit a number of soft play facilities and animal parks, visit the library, go for walks to parks and playgrounds and play in the garden with a good selection of physical play equipment. The childminder ensures children socialise with others by attending local play groups and drop-in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sessions, therefore children's personal, social and emotional development is well supported. Healthy eating is promoted. Children visit the supermarket to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and they decide what they would like for their mid morning snack. Parents provide packed lunches which are stored appropriately until required. The childminder obtains information from parents on children's feeding

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and outcomes for children

routines and dietary needs to ensure continuity of care. The childminder ensures that her home and all areas children have access to are clean and well maintained. Children follow routine hygiene practices. They understand why they should wash their hands and competently do so, following daily routines. The childminder provides children with their own towel for drying their hands, which helps prevent the risk of cross-infection. Children learn about sustainability and caring for the environment. They help the childminder recycle household rubbish and have opportunities to participate in activities such as planting and growing things in the garden. Children learn about keeping themselves safe. They understand what to do in an emergency by taking part in regular fire drills and learn how to cross roads safely on outings. 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 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 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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