Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY243303 Inspection date 11/07/2011 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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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 March 2003. She lives with her husband and four children aged 13, 11, eight and seven years in Peak Dale, Buxton, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for children to rest. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden. The childminder walks or drives to undertake outings, local groups, schools and pre-schools. The family have a variety of pets including a dog, hamster and reptiles.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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, five of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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. The childminder holds a childcare qualification to level 3.

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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 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 strongly supported. She 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 effective. Proactive reflection and evaluation of all aspects of her setting ensures that there are strong aspirations for developing and maintaining the quality of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend opportunities for children to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world and to develop a respect for their own cultures and beliefs by obtaining related information for each child  develop own confidence in promoting what is provided to extend further the culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are well-protected as there are clear safeguarding procedures. The childminder has a good knowledge of her responsibilities in protecting children. All This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 required policies, procedures and records are in place and carefully maintained. Detailed risk assessments, including separate assessments for household chemicals ensure children's well-being. Security of the premises is robust and procedures for arrival and departure ensure children are handed over safely to a known adult. The childminder is very clear about her individual responsibilities and has clear procedures for ensuring the suitability of adults, including emergency cover. Children's health is supported soundly as she has established consistent hygiene procedures and routines. The childminder has a variety of pets and she is very vigilant to make sure children follow and understand the reasons for the safety and

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the early years provision

hygiene procedures when they interact with them.

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the early years provision

Children are helped to make good progress and their development is encouraged as the childminder is knowledgeable about implementing all aspects of the learning and development elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Individual assessment records contain children's progress information and clearly identify their next steps. These are used to inform planning of activities for individual children and are linked to the areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well established which help to create consistency between the home and the setting. They are provided with quality information about the care and education of their child. Each child has a personal file, including individual photograph albums. The childminder and parents complete an 'All about me' assessment at the start of the placement and it is ongoing. Alongside the development assessments the childminder completes regular written development reports based on the areas of learning. Daily diaries ensure good communication between the childminder and parents. They are encouraged to make their own comments within these documents. There is ongoing daily discussion about each child between the childminder and their parents. This is enhanced by the childminder offering formal meeting with parents to discuss the care and progress of their child.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is well promoted and all children are included in activities. She is very responsive to individual personalities and development. The childminder is confident in her knowledge of how to develop children's understanding of diversity so that all differences are valued fully. Close liaison with other groups children attend enhance their care and learning. Children's well-being is enriched as the childminder has completed all required and additional training. She has a childcare qualification. The recommendations from the last inspection have been positively addressed. Children's learning and welfare benefit from the ongoing internal and written reflection and evaluation of every aspect of the provision by the childminder. She is a proactive member of the local childminding group. Within the group there is ongoing evaluation of practice and development issues are discussed. However, the childminder is not fully confident about relating what she

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the early years provision

does and achieves, therefore, this has potential effect on how she demonstrates that outcomes for children are continually improved. 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 happy and enjoy positive experiences with the childminder. Interactions are good and children benefit as the childminder is warm and caring with them. They enjoy purposeful play through a range of planned, focussed, spontaneous and child-led activities which ensures that they make good progress towards the early learning goals. Activities are extended and adapted to follow children's interests and events in their lives, such as when children attend a wedding they talk about it with the childminder, enjoy role play and devise 'small world' weddings. A visit to an animal farm is extended in response to children's continued interest. The childminder presents a farm, stable and wide variety of animals which the children talk about and role play with. Their learning is enhanced as she displays on the wall animal posters and animal based number pictures. An animal based favourite story is extended into children making a

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and outcomes for children

themed collage. Colour, letter, calculation and mark making development are supported well within spontaneous, routine, child-led and focussed themed activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them and diversity through discussions and activities relating to different people and cultures supported by books, resources and discussions. Their experience is enriched by the variety of reptiles and creatures the childminder has as pets. For example, they learn about the care of creatures as they help to bathe a tortoise. Creativity and exploration is promoted as all children enjoy access to a variety of art, craft and imaginative activities, such as 'treasure baskets' containing natural and household resources. They investigate texture, sound and colour by examining a large length of kitchen foil, lace and ribbons. All senses are enhanced as they enjoy 'corn flour gloop'. The childminder shares her love of books with the children. She has an extensive range and has constructed story sacks. Children enjoy spontaneous and planned story times and visits to the library. Singing, dancing and rhymes are part of everyday routine.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication is enriched as the childminder uses lots of open questions to encourage the children to express themselves. They learn respect for themselves and others as the childminder explains appropriately why some behaviour is not acceptable. The consistent use of praise and positive reinforcement contributes effectively to the children developing a good sense of self and belonging to a wider family group. However, children's sense of self is not fully enriched as information about their culture and religion is not in place. The childminder increases their socialisation and social skills by visiting children's groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is well promoted. They learn about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through discussions, robust routines and activities. Children learn about safety and people who help through an emergency services theme, they visit the fire station, role play with bandages and stethoscopes and undertake related creative activities. They learn about road safety as they practise crossing a 'road' using the childminder role play resources, including road crossing patrol equipment. Strong relationships with the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help children to feel safe and secure in their surroundings. Children keep fit as they visit local amenities and enjoy outside and indoor play in the home. 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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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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