Childminder in LincolnshireOfsted inspection, 9 Jun 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405092 Inspection date 09/06/2011 Inspector Kathryn Clayton

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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 2009. She lives with her adult daughter and three younger daughters aged one, three and six in Lincoln. The home is within walking distance of Lincoln County hospital and local facilities, including schools, shops and parks. It is accessible by a steep slope and three steps. Car parking is available on the street at the side of the house. The whole of the property may be used for childminding, with toilet facilities available on both floors. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family do not keep any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years at any one time. At times, she works with an assistant and, when working with an assistant, she may care for a maximum of five children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. Currently she has one child in the early years age range on roll. She provides care all year round. The setting is registered to provide overnight care for one child. The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a friendly and homely environment where she meets children's individual needs and they make steady progress, however, there are some weaknesses in the learning provision. The childminder has made a number of changes since registration and shows a suitable capacity to improve, but evaluation of the service is still in the early stages of development. Many aspects of children's welfare are successfully promoted. However, there are weaknesses in some procedures that safeguard children. The childminder develops friendly relationships with parents which allow information to be freely shared. She is aware of the need to share information with any other providers children may attend in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before medication is given( Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 23/06/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observations of children's progress cover all areas of learning and the next step in their learning is identified This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  conduct regular evacuation of the premises and record details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken  improve the system of self evaluation to ensure that parents and children are involved in a meaningful way and monitor the impact that the improvements have on the outcome for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken appropriate training in how to safeguard children and she understands the signs and symptoms that may cause her to be concerned about a child's welfare. She has a suitable policy to follow, which includes all of the necessary contact details needed should she have any such concerns. Although medication given to children is fully recorded and parents sign to acknowledge that it has been given, the childminder does not obtain prior written consent from them to give medication and this is a breach of a requirement and a possible risk to their health. The childminder conducts daily safety checks of her premises to ensure children come into a safe environment. She is vigilant as children play of making sure toys are packed away after use so that there is no danger to young children. There is a clear procedure for the evacuation of the premises, however, this has not yet been practised and so the childminder is unaware of any problems she may

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the early years provision

encounter during this procedure. General safety issues are considered when taking children on outings, but not every type of outing that is undertaken is risk assessed. These issues pose some risk to children's safety.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy playing in an attractive learning environment where they easily access a suitable range of toys that are clearly labelled with pictures and words. The room includes good information for parents and learning aids such as posters for children. The childminder has appropriate facilities to provide children with care overnight. The childminder has given some consideration to her strengths and areas for development, however, the evaluation of the service as a whole is still in the early stages of development. All of the required training has been undertaken and a number of improvements have been made since registration, such as purchasing more equipment that is of interest to children. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs from parents. She respects their wishes and helps to establish routines which benefit the children. Resources, such as play people, books and notices help to raise children's awareness of diversity. The

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the early years provision

childminder shares informative policies and procedures with parents. Discussions take place every day about the child's wellbeing and any progress made. The childminder makes sure that parents see any milestones that are achieved just after they happen, such as the first time a baby sits up, by sending the parents a photograph on her mobile phone. The childminder is happy to work with parents, for example, to establish new routines. She currently cares for no children who attend another setting, but is fully aware of her responsibilities to share information that will help children progress. 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 interested in play and well supported during their time with the childminder. She develops close relationships with children and they readily go to her for cuddles. This helps to effectively develop their self-esteem and they are very settled. They experience play at home and away from home and enjoy suitable opportunities to socialise with other children. Although children make steady progress, the assessments of their achievements are not linked to the areas of learning and do not identify the next steps in their learning which means the childminder cannot effectively plan to help them make good progress. Children learn about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. They are quite active indoors and the childminder makes sure they go on local walks and visit parks where older children can run freely and younger ones are supported in using equipment such as slides and swings. The childminder provides healthy meals and snacks, such as

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and outcomes for children

chicken with fresh vegetables and introduces babies slowly to new foods.

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and outcomes for children

Hygiene routines protect children's good health, using anti-bacterial wipes and liquid on a changing mat between nappy changes, for example. All necessary equipment is well organised and readily available in the nappy-change area. Children move safely indoors and very close support is given to young babies to keep them safe. Stair gates are used appropriately and the premises is secure. The childminder is calm and consistent and uses praise and strategies such as diversion to ensure behaviour is safe and acceptable. She has suitable positive boundaries that children learn which help them to feel secure in her home. Babies show an interest and enjoyment in music and activities such as water play, painting and dressing up which helps to develop their creativity. The childminder involves all children in learning experiences and challenges young children appropriately to talk about things they see in books and use mathematical language and counting, for

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and outcomes for children

example. During walks to a local nature reserve and parks the childminder helps children to engage with the natural world. They enjoy time in the natural environment, seeing animals and birds. A suitable range of resources such as a good choice of books to share with the childminder and technological toys, such as a baby activity chair, help very young children to develop suitable skills for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 23/06/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 23/06/2011

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