Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416628 Inspection date 08/07/2011 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 and one child aged three years in Glenfield, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently there are seven children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range. There were no children present during the inspection.

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Description of the childminding

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

The childminder demonstrates through discussion that she understands children's individual needs and works closely with parents to ascertain these. Partnerships with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children are in the process of being implemented. She talks about how children make generally good progress in their learning through the varied activities and resources she offers them. All required policies and procedures are in place and are shared with parents. The childminder is using self-evaluation well to reflect on her service and identify improvements. This is the first inspection since registration.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements to liaise with other people who supply the Early Years Foundation Stage to children to ensure coherence of learning and development  ensure that children's starting points are linked to the areas of learning so their interests can be built on.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to safeguard children and she is clear who to report any concerns to. A policy is in place which is shared with parents and she discusses how she would recognise signs of abuse. Consequently, children are well protected. The childminder also ensures all adults at the home have been checked and children are never left with people who have not been cleared. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder talks about the good range of measures she has in place to keep children safe, and clear risk assessments underpin these. She explains to children about how to avoid any hazards in the home, and when they are out they learn about road safety and staying close to her. Consequently, they learn to be responsible for their own safety. The home is well organised to allow children to easily access a good range of resources which support their play and learning

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the early years provision

effectively. Free-flow is also well promoted and allows children to move from the home into the garden, and this helps them to develop independence skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder describes how parents receive copies of her policies and procedures and she talks with them regularly about their children's progress. A daily diary is completed for children, and parents have the opportunity to comment in this. Consequently, there is a good two-way flow of information about children. However, systems to work with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children are not as robust as possible to help with continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder describes how she has completed training, which has helped her to develop her service to children. She is also using self-evaluation effectively to monitor her practice and identify areas for improvement, such as making the garden safer for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks about how she plans a range of activities for children, such as arts and crafts, while also allowing lots of free time for them to make choices. This means, for example, that children have made decorations out of recycled yoghurt pots and also had the freedom to explore the garden and use the playhouse, which they enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates through discussion that she has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to use this to plan interesting activities for children. Good observations show what children have achieved and the next step in their learning. However, children's starting points are not linked to the areas of learning. This means some important information about their progress may be missed.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she effectively promotes children's communication skills by talking to them so they understand how language works. She also provides good opportunities for them to socialise as they spend time in the local community as they visit parks, farm parks and a carer and toddler group. She describes how children are also developing a good awareness of the wider world and how she has helped promote English by using flash cards to help children make choices and settle.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks about how she promotes physical development by taking children to the park where they can enjoy using large equipment, such as swings and a climbing frame. They also regularly attend a soft play group which ensures they have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity throughout the year. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder describes how she promotes children's good health by encouraging routines, such as hand washing, and by providing home-cooked, nutritious meals. Children also enjoy shopping for ingredients and the childminder uses this opportunity to talk to them about healthy options. The childminder makes good use of activities, such as baking, to help promote children's skills as they weigh and measure and observe changes in the properties of things.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she manages behaviour in an age-appropriate manner by distracting young children and using 'time out' for older children. Children understand what is expected of them because simple rules are in place, such as sharing and taking turns. The childminder talks about how she gives children lots of praise so their self-esteem is well promoted and how this helps them develop good habits for the future. 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 3 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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