Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY273108 Inspection date 12/09/2011 Inspector Janice Hughes

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 2003. She lives with her husband and adult daughter. They live in a house situated on the outskirts of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Two of these children are in the early years age range.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She attends the local childminder and parent/carer and toddler group.

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 happy, confident and settled in the childminder's care as she provides a welcoming, homely and inclusive environment. Good relationships between the childminder, parents and other providers ensure that children's care and education are promoted. Systems to monitor children's progress are in the very early stages of development. Suitable measures are in place to keep children safe, although some required paperwork is missing. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to develop her practice and she has started the self-evaluation process. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity for continual improvement and is able to clearly identify further areas for improvement.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/09/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure observations, assessments and children's next steps inform future planning so that children are fully challenged to meet their full potential. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is confident about her responsibility to protect children from harm and neglect. Documentation is organised well, with clear records for accidents, medication and each child's daily attendance. Children's records are clear, up to date, easily accessible and stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained. All written consents are obtained from parents upon commencement of minding to ensure children's safety and well-being are effectively promoted. Children are supervised well to ensure their safety is maintained. The childminder visually checks her home daily to ensure it remains safe for children to attend. However, a record of risk assessments is not maintained for the premises, which is a breach of legal requirements. Good use of space ensures that individual needs are accommodated. The home is organised well to provide children with space to

p.5

the early years provision

play, eat and rest in comfortable surroundings.

p.5

the early years provision

A child-friendly, inclusive environment is created where all children are welcome and valued. Toys and resources are readily accessible in the lounge and dining area, enabling children to make independent choices for their play. The childminder is enthusiastic and committed to her role. She is ambitious for her provision and to further improve the outcomes for children. She has identified some areas for improvement, for example, to develop the outside environment. She has completed the required training courses and hopes to undertake further training in order to improve her knowledge and skills. She has begun to evaluate her practice, for instance, by starting to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form. This is in the early stages and is not yet fully effective in helping to promote continuous improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder works well with parents and other practitioners in order to develop a consistent approach in meeting children's needs. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and the childminder takes time to accumulate information relating to their individual needs and preferences before they start. This ensures children settle well. The use of a daily diary ensures that parents receive important information regarding children's daily routines and activities. Parents receive some useful information about the provision, both verbally and in writing, including copies of the childminder's policies and procedures. Information, including the childminder's registration certificate and the Early Years Foundation Stage poster, is displayed for parents to see. The childminder has a positive attitude to developing future partnerships in the wider context. For example, she and the children socialise regularly as they meet with

p.5

the early years provision

other childminders and their minded children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a warm, welcoming environment and helps each child to feel settled and included. The children enjoy the time they spend in her care and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make mainly good progress in their development and learning. They are confident to access the range of resources available to initiate their own play and follow their own interest. This helps children to become independent and active learners. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's stage of development, which enables her to support their learning successfully. She knows what children can do, their likes and dislikes and their particular interests. She uses this knowledge well to plan an interesting and varied range of activities to promote all areas of learning. For example, she provides a doctor's bag for role-play to enable the children to express feelings, experiences and thoughts. During the activity the

p.5

and outcomes for children

childminder fosters and encourages investigation, creativity and imagination as the children listen to their heartbeat. This supports children's enjoyment of learning and helps them to achieve well in developing skills for the future. However, systems are not yet fully developed to ensure children's individual learning priorities in all the six areas of learning are identified.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are increasing their awareness of diversity through the use of books, small world resources and discussion. This helps children to recognise, value and respect similarities and differences between themselves and others. Visits to local community venues help to develop their social skills and awareness of the wider community. Children develop a good understanding of appropriate behaviour because the childminder provides consistent boundaries, gentle reminders, praise and encouragement. Children are learning the importance of listening to others, taking turns and playing cooperatively as they decide where to put the 'bunk beds' in the doll's house. Children show they feel safe in the setting as they go to the childminder for support and follow their own routines, and they show good levels of confidence and self-esteem. They benefit from continuity in their care and learning because the childminder develops effective partnerships with parents.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. Daily routines are in place to foster children's awareness of the need for personal hygiene. Children's health and dietary needs are well met. They are able to access drink independently and they have regular snacks that are adapted to suit their individual dietary requirements and preferences and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children enjoy regular fresh air and become active in and out of doors on a daily basis, For example, the enjoy pushing the large truck up and down the path in the garden, have regular visits to the local park and walk daily to and from school.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's thinking, listening and language development is well supported. Throughout the day much emphasis is given developing children's enjoyment of stories, songs and rhymes. The childminder makes continual good use of constructive questions to promote and stimulate children's thinking and learning, which extends children's interest in their play. For example, children listen to the childminder read a story about a farm, and they are attentive and repeat the punctuation of the words and sounds. The childminder captures their interest in the book and encourages mathematical skills. The children count the animals successfully and estimate 'how many more' ducks on the pond. She further extends the learning by singing a rhyme about ducks. Children have opportunities to develop their technology as they play with electronic toys and games, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

and outcomes for children

instance, the dance mat and remote control cars. These all provide valuable skills for future learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 3 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.8

Stage

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

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9