Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411717 Inspection date 13/07/2011 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 2010. She lives with her husband, her adult son and daughter and two children aged 12, 14 years in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire. Most of the whole of the ground floor 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 six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding seven children, of whom three 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 takes children to the library and to the park. The family has a pet dog and cat. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are engaged in activities and make good progress because the childminder effectively supports their learning and development. Learning journeys of children's progress are in place, although, not yet fully detailed. The childminder ensures that children experiences outdoor activities where their learning and development continues to be effectively promoted. Good partnership with parents ensures that children's individual welfare needs are known and met. All children benefit from effective partnership working with other providers and specialist services when required. The childminder is in the early stages of self-evaluating her provision and is aware of areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements in place to further determine children's starting points so their strengths and interests can be built on  extend the arrangements for observing and assessing young children to identify their progress and plan their next steps in all areas of learning  develop the systems already in place to further self-evaluate and monitor practice to bring about continuous improvement to ensure that the needs of all the children are met.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively protected because the childminder clearly understands how to identify, record and report child protection concerns to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Local Safeguarding Children Board. Children are cared for in a safe environment because the childminder carries out regular risk assessments of the premises and resources. Risk assessments of new venues are undertaken before taking children ensuring their safety continues to be maintained. Children are kept safe when away from the home because the childminder implements safe procedures when using the park and walking to and from school.

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the early years provision

The childminder is not caring for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Her experience of doing so and a secure understanding of the value of working with other professionals when the need arises, ensure that she meets children's particular needs. The childminder works in partnership with other providers for the benefit of all children in her care, promoting consistency in their learning and development. Effective relationships with parents results in detailed information about the children's welfare being shared at induction. However, very little information is collected about their stage of development and learning. Therefore, this impinges on the childminder fully building on what the children already know and can do. Ongoing discussions and access to children's developmental records keep parents fully informed of their child's progress. Questionnaires from parents show they are happy with the service provided by the

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the early years provision

childminder. They state the childminder is 'Very flexible, caring and attentive'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the early stages of self-evaluating her provision and is already able to identifying areas for improvement, such as her monitoring and assessment procedures. Children have access to a range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources which they can access at will both within the home and in the garden. All children benefit because the childminder is committed to developing her professional knowledge and skills by attending a range of training. The childminder has implemented a range of detailed policies and procedures that effectively underpin the care of the children.

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and outcomes for children

On the day of inspection a child was attending for the first time. The childminder positively promoted all the children's social skills by effectively engaging with them and encouraging them to play together. Consequently, the child were very settled and felt safe in the childminder's care. All children are encouraged to make choices about what they would like to play with and what they would like to drink. They show good manners because the childminder is a positive role model for this. They have good self-esteem because they receive praise and stickers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a wide range of activities for the children ensuring they receive a balance of experiences. For example, art and craft activities, games, cooking, exploring in the garden and the local community. Systems are in place for recording what children have been doing, although, these do not always show their progress or next steps across all areas of learning. Consequently, they do not fully support future planning. The childminder plans the day well so that children free-flow to the garden for outdoor play where their learning is effectively promoted. For example, they learn about life cycles as they watch tadpoles turn to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 frogs. They learn about growing as they plant and nurture potatoes. Children are encouraged to experiment and find out how things work as they roll small balls down drain pipes attached to the shed at different angles.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident talkers and engage the childminder in conversations about what they are doing. They are using a garlic press to make noodles with play dough and talk about not being able to eat these as they are not real. Others are using the play dough to make cakes with cherries on the top or cutting out shapes which they correctly identify. The childminder uses this activity well to extend children's problem solving reasoning and numeracy skills as they talk about making little cakes to fit the cake case. They also learn simple addition as they count how many cakes they have and then how many in total as they add one more.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the importance of good hygiene and a healthy diet from an early age because they practise this during the daily routines. For example, they wash their hands on arrival from playgroup and after using the toilet. Children clearly understand how to keep themselves safe as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and how to cross the road safely. The childminder also arranged a visit from a local policeman to talk to the children about the risks that strangers pose to their safety. Children receive good care following accidents, such as a cold compress applied to minor bumps. 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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