Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY413895 Inspection date 11/07/2011 Inspector Carly Mooney

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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. He lives with his wife, another registered childminder, and their children aged eight and four in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 two may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder he is registered to care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom four may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. He is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. He 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 happy and settled and enjoy secure relationships with the childminder. The childminder provides an inclusive service to children, which means their welfare and development needs are effectively met and they make good progress in their learning. Positive partnerships between the childminder and parents have been established. The childminder understands his strengths and weaknesses and evaluates the practice to continually improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of children's next steps in planning to ensure they are tailored to the individual child's learning needs.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment as the childminder has sound knowledge of safeguarding children issues and has completed relevant training. Suitability checks have been carried out on all adults in the home and a record of visitors is kept. Risk assessments are thorough and include all outings the childminder has undertaken. A daily check list ensures any new hazards are quickly identified and minimised to keep children safe. Children engage in safe practices, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as, participating in regular fire drills and safety precautions including door stoppers are in place. Documentation, including parental permissions, registers and records which are required to support childminding are well maintained. The childminder shares a range of well thought out policies and procedures with parents which underpins the good practice at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is spacious and organised effectively to meet children's individual needs and promote their independence. Young children have ample floor space to move freely and low level furniture encourages their physical development when learning to stand. Resources are attractively displayed in a designated play room, which older children can independently access. This includes a variety of resources which enable children to subtly explore ethnicity, language, religion and culture within their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built secure relationships with all parents and ensures that they regularly communicate about their child. A detailed daily diary provides parents with a good overview of their child's day and is an effective two-way flow of information between both parties. Photographs added to the diary show parents the activities their child has participated in and are a good memento of their time at the setting. Clear information is gathered from parents about their child from the beginning in 'all about me' booklets and they are able to view their child's observation records at any time. Parents comment very positively about the care their child receives through regular questionnaires. The childminder has implemented procedures for liaising with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures information is exchanged regularly both verbally and through a diary system.

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the early years provision

The childminder displays a positive approach to improving outcomes for children. He attends regular training, such as, Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn, to develop his knowledge and care offered to the children. He assesses his provision and understands his strengths and areas for development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is loving and caring and has secured close relationships with children. For example, a baby laughs and giggles as they play together on the floor and welcomes cuddles when he wakes from a sleep. He has developed sound knowledge of how children learn and together with his co-childminder provides appropriate activities which allow children to make good progress. The childminder recognises his children's different development needs through regular observations and assessments. These records are developing well and link clearly to the different areas of learning. However, recording of children's next steps requires development as they are not always linked to the child's individual learning but more to planning of activities which aids children to make progress.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are taught appropriate behaviour skills from an early age, for example, learning not to touch items that might be breakable. The childminder ensures he uses praise and encouragement consistently to reinforce good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 behaviour and instil confidence and self-esteem. A subtle touch, such as, a named photograph for towel pegs in the toilet and a sunflower each growing in the garden gives children a good sense of belonging, as well as providing opportunities for name recognition with younger children. Children spend quality time in the outdoors as they use the garden on a daily basis, participate in daily walks and visit local parks or places of interest. For example, recent trips have included Belton House adventure playground, Sherwood pines and Whisby park. Children's learning is extended when visiting the local library to choose books or trying

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and outcomes for children

Chinese food at a restaurant when celebrating Chinese New Year.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well. The childminder works closely with parents regarding children's sleeping and eating patterns to ensure their health and welfare is maintained. Meals and snacks are well thought out to provide a varied and nutritious menu of home cooked foods. Children also help to grow tomatoes, peppers and chillies in the childminder's vegetable patch which helps them gain an understanding of where food comes from. Clear hygiene procedures are followed by the childminder when changing nappies and he ensures he is a good role model to encourage children with their own health and hygiene. Children have their own towels to prevent the spread of infection and posters displayed near the sink gently remind children to wash their hands. Accident and medication records are well maintained and a valid first aid qualification allows the childminder to effectively deal with minor injuries.

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and outcomes for children

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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