Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 209027 Inspection date 04/07/2011 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children in Washingborough, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Areas of the ground floor are used for childminding, with sleeping facilities located on the first floor. The premises are accessible by one step. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog, chickens, cats, goats and a garden fish pond.

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. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 are fully supported in line with individual needs, backgrounds and beliefs because partnership working in the wider context is effective. This enables every child to make good progress in their learning and development as they happily engage in an interesting range of activities. The childminder's mainly effective practices and procedures promote and protect children's health and safety. Improvements made since the last inspection have improved outcomes for children and the childminder's robust system of self-evaluation identifies clear targets for future development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the promotion of good hand washing practices at all times to fully promote children's awareness of healthy practices.

p.4

the early years provision

Children receive good standards of care and learning whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder maintains a safe, secure home, where space and resources are organised exceptionally well to create an accessible, interesting indoor and outdoor environment where children thrive. Children spend a lot of their time in the outdoor environment, which is very well resourced and used highly effectively to promote children's development within the six areas of learning. The childminder implements her clear systems to safeguard children and promote their welfare. For example, potential hazards are identified and minimised through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 robust risk assessment procedures and the childminder's good knowledge of child protection further protects children from potential harm.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is committed to promoting positive outcomes for children. She has made improvements to her provision by working on the recommendations raised at the previous inspection, which have enhanced children's well-being. For example, all necessary permission forms are now in place and completed by parents. All other documentation is in place, completed well and used effectively to meet children's needs and to protect their health and safety. The childminder works extremely closely with parents and carers to ensure every child is valued and respected in line with their individual needs, backgrounds and beliefs. Activities are adapted to ensure the participation of every child and any form of discrimination is actively challenged. The childminder is an exceptionally good communicator with parents and carers, which results in the continuous exchange of detailed information. Clear information is gathered from the outset, which enables the

p.5

the early years provision

childminder to assess and then build on individual children's starting points. Parents are kept very well informed about their children's daily care and achievements through in-depth conversations and the sharing of children's individual observation and assessment files. Parents are encouraged to share information from home and contribute to their child's learning file. This enables the childminder to incorporate children's interest from home into future activities and experiences. Parent's comments on the childminder's service, practice and care, are extremely positive and they rate the childminder very highly. Clear links with other providers are in place to promote continuity and coherence for each child. The childminder is committed to providing a strong framework for the care of children, using a robust system of self-evaluation to promote continuous improvement.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the welcoming home. They relate well to the childminder as she creates a nurturing environment, where children's individuality is respected and fostered. Children are encouraged to play co-operatively and share as they play together. Their good behaviour is promoted, with the childminder using a range of strategies to manage any unwanted behaviour in line with each child's age and level of understanding. Children learn about wider society through their play and activities. Children's health and safety is protected and maintained through the childminder's effective practices. For example, children are constantly supervised and a clear outings procedure helps to protect children at all times. The risk of cross infection is also minimised as the childminder does not provide care for children when they are suffering from a contagious illness. Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks which meet their dietary

p.5

and outcomes for children

requirements. Drinks are freely accessible enabling children to freely obtain a drink when they are thirsty. Children learn about maintaining their own health and well- being through these good practices, further discussions and generally through the daily routine. However, effective hand washing practices are not always promoted and encouraged with children at all times throughout the day, to fully promote children's awareness of healthy practices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are making good progress in their learning and development. Planning, observation and assessment systems are in place and used effectively to monitor children's progress from their unique starting points. Activities are planned around children's interests and each child is continually moving forward in their development as the childminder identifies their next steps for learning. Children

p.5

and outcomes for children

have great fun as they access a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources inside and outside. They spend a lot of time in the outdoor environment, where they engage in a wide range of first-hand experiences, which promotes their natural curiosity as learners. For example, the children enjoy observing the goats and chickens within the paddock and they also collect the eggs laid by the chickens each day. Children excitedly hold up four fingers and count from one to four as they explain this is how many eggs they collect each day. Babies have lots of fun as they peer through the fence, bouncing up and down and babbling excitedly as the chickens and goats approach them. When one of the children is suddenly scared and jumps as a goat sneezes, the childminder's soft voice reassures the child that it is ok and they quickly forgot that they were initially scared. Children's physical skills are developing well as they access a good

p.6

and outcomes for children

range of large and small physical play resources.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to take calculated risks as the childminder helps them to learn about safety. For example, when an older child plays on the swing, the childminder encourages them to be observant as younger children will not be aware of the dangers of the swing. Younger children are allowed to explore their surroundings and under the direct supervision of the childminder they climb up to the top of the climbing frame. They have fun banging the wooden floor and seeing the world from their new vantage point. When children are ready to come down the childminder helps them to learn how to do so in a safe manner. Children also have lots of fun using their imagination as they create dens in the natural trees and hedges within the garden. Communication is continually promoted as the childminder engages in play with the children, chatting and asking questions as she does so. Mark making resources are freely accessible, enabling children to

p.6

and outcomes for children

draw and give meanings to their marks. Older children are skilfully beginning to recognise and write some letters of the alphabet. Children access and use a wide range of electronic and programmable toys and equipment to support their learning. For example, children are aware that the play washing machine will not work if the door is not closed properly and a younger child enjoys pressing the buttons on the toy telephone and listening to the noises made. 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.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8