Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337273 Inspection date 24/05/2011 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and five years in the Derwent Heights area of Derby. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of 5 children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children; all are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the children's centre. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Partnership arrangements are in place with the local childminding network.

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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 generally good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans a wide range of activities that effectively promote the outcomes for children. Good systems for observation and assessment show that children are making good progress in their learning and development and are used to identify their next steps. The partnership with parents and other providers ensures that consistency is promoted for the children. The required information is in place for most children. Parents receive some information about the setting at induction in a welcome booklet. The childminder has an effective self-evaluation system in place enabling her to accurately identify areas for improvement and to sustain her childcare practice and provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information about who has parental responsibility for all the children (Safeguarding and protecting children's welfare). 14/06/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the two-way flow of information by improving parents' access to the safeguarding policy. 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 welfare is safeguarded overall because the childminder is confident to identify, record and report safeguarding concerns to the relevant authorities. Parents receive a welcome booklet at induction and are informed of the policies and procedures that are in place. However, although the childminder discusses her duty to safeguard children with the parents and has a copy of the policy available for them to read, parents do not receive an actual copy of the safeguarding policy. Consequently, they may not fully understand the implications of this. The childminder carries out detailed and regular risk assessments for the home and resources. Risk assessments are also in place for outings, regular trips in the community such as to the park and taking children to, and fetching them from, school. As a result children are kept safe. The home and resources are organised effectively ensuring children play in a safe, secure and welcoming environment.

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the early years provision

Toys are stored so that children can access these at will to support their learning effectively.

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the early years provision

Children benefit because the childminder provides an extensive range of toys and resources to support their play, learning and development. The garden is exceptionally well resourced enabling children to challenge their physical skills and engage in imaginative play and other learning. The outcomes for children are good overall because the childminder develops her knowledge and skills by attending regular training. Good systems, including collecting the opinions of parents through a questionnaire, help the childminder to reflect upon her provision. This enables her to identify her strengths and address areas for development resulting in a positive impact on the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans the day well so that it is flexible to meet the needs of the children in her care. Children's learning is promoted through a range of activities away from the home such as visits to the local children's centre, the library and toddler groups. A range of well-written policies and procedures effectively underpin children's welfare. The required information for most children is in place with the exception of who has legal responsibility for some of the children. Clear channels of communication with parents enable information to be exchanged through discussions and a daily progress book. They also have access to their child's developmental record. Good partnership arrangements enable the childminder to work with other providers for the benefit of the children in her care. The childminder is aware of how to access specialist services to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a very good understanding of the importance of good hygiene and a healthy diet. They readily wash their hands for snacks and place used towels in the wash basket so that the risk of germs spreading is minimised. Children clearly explain that they enjoy snacks, and which foods help them to grow. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder maintains a clean home and has a clear policy regarding the procedures she follows when minded children are ill. A clear written procedure for the emergency evacuation of the home is in place. Children understand this procedure because it is regularly practised. Consequently, they know how to keep themselves safe. Children feel very safe in the childminder's care because she spends time effectively engaging them in play and involving them at their individual level. For example, she helps younger children to play musical

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and outcomes for children

instruments or pretend to talk on a toy telephone while others play independently.

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and outcomes for children

Children's social skills are enhanced because the childminder takes them to local toddler groups where they learn to interact with different children. As a result they learn to co-operate and play harmoniously with their friends. In the home, she encourages the children to play together and they sit nicely together as she gathers them around her to read them a story. Children benefit because the childminder gets down to their level and engages with them well to support their play. All children are equally involved in the story because the childminder adapts her questions accordingly. Younger children are asked to point to stars or to find bananas in the pictures. Older children are asked where they might find leaves and what sound the word leaf begins with. Consequently, their individual language and problem solving skills are being extended.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy singing and playing instruments from different cultures. They choose which songs to sing and beat the rhythms well. Older children are confident to sing solo and competently sing the alphabet song. Children can explain the numbers and letters on the building blocks. Older children sort them by colour and shapes and explain they have two yellow triangles. Children are confident talkers explaining they are playing with play dough. They use tools competently to roll and cut the play dough. Their early technology skills are promoted as they use push button toys.

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and outcomes for children

Clear information about the children's welfare and their developmental and learning stage is collected at induction. The childminder uses this information to build on what each child can do. Her own observations and assessments mean that the childminder can identify each child's achievements and their learning priorities. This information is used well to plan further suitable activities. Consequently, all children are making good progress in their learning and development. 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 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 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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