Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 207774 Inspection date 18/05/2011 Inspector Yvonne Layton

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and adult child in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom upstairs in the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is a small step to enter the rear of the house.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. There are currently ten children attending three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She walks and/or drives to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children and undertake outings. The childminder runs a toddler group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children within the Early Years Foundation Stage enjoy their time with the childminder. They make good progress in their learning and development and their welfare is supported well. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and inclusive practice is carefully promoted with children's needs effectively met. Links with parents and the liaison with other providers are strong and help to ensure consistency in children's care and learning. The childminder has systems in place to evaluate her practice.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 consolidate medication procedures by recording the health reason for the administration of non-prescribed medicines  enhance continuous improvement by developing a collaborative learning culture providing time and space for knowledge-sharing and support for continuous development within childminding network groups  extend further opportunities for children to increase their respect for their own cultures by obtaining related information for each child.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has a clear policy and good knowledge of her responsibilities. She has detailed policies and required records are in place and maintained. However, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's welfare is not completely supported as non-prescribed medicines records do not contain the health reason for administration. Security of the premises is robust and procedures for arrival and departure ensure children are handed over safely to a known adult. Detailed risk assessments ensure they are protected. Children's health is supported soundly as she has established comprehensive hygiene procedures and routines.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are helped to make progress and their development is encouraged as the childminder is fully conversant in implementing all aspects of the learning and development elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. There is an effective balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Planning, including themes and projects, is in place and flexible as the main focus is activities led by the children's interest and areas of personal development. The childminder is well-able to identify a rich variety of activities that enrich children's learning and match the expectations of the early learning goals. Children's development is monitored well as the childminder completes individual written assessments with clear next steps identified. The setting remains very homely with a well planned / child focussed play area. Resources are of high quality and include recycled and home-made activities suitable for the ages of the children to support their learning and the

p.5

the early years provision

development. The environment is conductive to learning and outcomes are clearly attributed to excellent use of resources.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well established. They are provided with quality information about the care and education of their child. Parents receive an information pack, complete children's personal information and regular questionnaires all of which ensure continuity. They have access to an observation file of photographs of children undertaking activities with related text indexed under each area of learning. Each child has a personal diary between the childminder and home and individual files. There is ongoing discussion about the care and learning of each child. Inclusive practice is promoted well and all children are included in activities. The childminder is confident in her knowledge of how to develop children's understanding of diversity. Links with other settings are secure with the childminder sharing information about care and learning.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's learning and welfare benefit from the ongoing reflection and evaluation provision by the childminder. The recommendation from the last inspection has been positively addressed. She consistently reviews her policies and has clear plans of areas she wishes to develop. Consequently the outcomes for the children are continually improved. However, the childminder's continuous professional development and children's experience would benefit from knowledge-sharing and evaluation within attended childminder groups.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder is keen to provide children with a positive experience and a sound base to support their learning. Interactions are good and children benefit as the childminder is warm and caring with them. Children enjoy purposeful play through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a range of planned, focussed, spontaneous and child-led activities which ensures that they make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children make significant gains in their individual learning as the childminder is very alert to their needs. She works closely with parents, schools and the children to reinforce their interests, such as, children's love of stories and reading is fully supported by working with them with reading diaries, visits to the library, access to a rich range of books and extended into looking at everyday items, such as, menus.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Planned themes enrich children's experience including national, international celebrations, topical and from children's ideas and interests. As part of the celebration of Chinese New Year their knowledge is enhanced as they make rabbit masks, paper plate lions and wooden spoon puppets to depict the animal horoscope.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Nature is investigated through walks in the local area where children collect leaves for craft and make leaf and bark rubbings. Visits to the allotment enrich children's experience as they learn about chickens and care for fruit and vegetables. This includes growing pumpkins and sunflowers. They measure and record the growth of the sunflowers. A 'bug' theme is fully explored as alongside looking for insects children make a large insect mural, caterpillars from egg boxes and stone ladybirds. They visit a pet shop and make their own aquariums. Children use their imaginations and actively learn about recycling as they make junk box castles and paper-mache planets.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Daily routine, learning through play and outings to local amenities are used to promote all areas of learning. For example they learn about money, count and develop social skills as they go to the shop and use self-service tills and car park machines.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Colour, letter, calculation and mark making development is supported within spontaneous, routine, child-led and focussed/ themed activities. Creativity and exploration is promoted as all children enjoy access to a wide variety of planned and free-choice art, craft and imaginative activities, such as, art, craft, imaginative play and 'small world'.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's communication is enriched as the childminder uses a wide range of vocabulary to encourage the children to express themselves. They have a sense of self-worth as they follow the childminder's behaviour boundaries and house rules based on respect and kindness. She is alert to recognising and working with children's individuality and different personalities. Children make their own birthday cakes and make posters depicting care and respect for each other. However, this is not completely supported as information about individual cultures is not in place.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is well-promoted. They are protected and their welfare supported as the childminder integrates health and safety within activities and planned themes. They learn about personal safety, care and health by discussion and visits including to the gym and fire station. Children gain an understanding about food as they bake and cook. A healthy eating theme includes children use vegetables to print, make fruit baskets from magazine cuttings and paper food plates. They keep fit as they walk, visit local groups and amenities and enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside play in the home. Kite flying is a favourite activity. They undertake challenges safely outside supported well by the childminder, such as, toddlers become confident in going up and down small steps. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9