Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337460 Inspection date 06/10/2011 Inspector Patricia Bowler

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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 2006. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children aged 11 and three years in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom and additional facilities on the first floor are used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is by ramps to the front and rear of the home. 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. The family has a pet dog.

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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. However, she works with two assistants and when one is present in addition to the childminder may care for a maximum of 10 children of whom five maybe in the early years age group. When both assistants are present in addition to the childminder a maximum of 10 children may be present, of whom, eight maybe in the early years age group. The childminder may provide overnight care for two children. There are currently two children attending who 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 supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is a

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Description of the childminding

member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-olds.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children excel in a vibrant environment where their welfare, learning and development are fostered through the childminder's exceptional knowledge and implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Partnerships with parents ensure children receive meticulous care in line with their individual needs. Self- evaluation at all levels reflects rigorous monitoring. Consequently, areas for improvement, including those from the previous inspection, impact in bringing sustained improvements to maintain the outstanding standards of the childminding service.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the partnerships with parents to continue to support children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder's acute understanding of safeguarding is sustained through attendance at training events and multi-agency working and subsequently she is highly proficient in the steps to take should she have any concerns relating to children's safety. Meticulous and highly effective risk assessments result in children being cared for in a secure and safe environment where any risk to their health, safety and welfare is considerably minimised. Outings are used to great effect to help children learn about road safety and what to do should they become separated from the childminder. They know and practise regular emergency evacuation procedures and accurate records establish when they have occurred and identify issues and resolutions.

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the early years provision

High aspirations for quality are supported through comprehensive policies and procedures which work highly effectively to inform parents and determine children's individual needs. Detailed information successfully identifies starting points in their learning and development. The childminder strives continuously to develop methods to encourage parents in contributing to ongoing assessments to support children's progress and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely committed to her personal development through training courses and continual monitoring and evaluation to develop skills in reflective practice. As an accredited childminder her commitment to providing children with the best possible start in their learning and development is exceptional. Well-established links with other providers within the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure this is effectively supported as children move on in their education.

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and outcomes for children

Children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals in a rich and vibrant environment. The proactive inclusive environment, with positive images, helps children to develop positive attitudes towards difference and diversity through innovative play situations and activities. The childminder is skilful in allowing children to steer their own play developing confidence and self-esteem. Two adjoining playrooms facilitate active play and relaxation with exciting resources and opportunities to promote all areas of learning. Children develop imagination in extremely well-resourced role play areas and creativity is developed through inspirational planned and child-led activities. Self-selection is promoted in easily accessible storage units and written text is included on toy boxes and familiar words are displayed within the home. Pictures and posters also support early skills in literacy and numeracy. In a current theme about dinosaurs children

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and outcomes for children

match models to pictures and have fun learning to pronounce their names. A variety of tools in the sand tray add to children's play with dinosaur models as they hunt for buried eggs and make prints to learn about fossils. They look forward with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 anticipation to further planned developments. Supports will be erected to cultivate mustard and cress within the sand tray. Ferns, growing in pots, will be added to create a forest to reflect the natural habitat where dinosaurs would have lived. A wide range of books including those selected from the local library support children's developing knowledge. Every opportunity is used to inspire children's curiosity to learn. Seasonal changes prompting awareness of Autumnal weather have resulted in collecting falling leaves and conkers and squirrels visiting the garden have been observed burying food for hibernation. Raised beds in the

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and outcomes for children

garden allow children to stand as they plant and tend to home grown produce. They gather strawberries and carrots and experience exotic fruits such as mandarins and melon pears grown in pots indoors and out to learn about climatic conditions needed for growth.

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and outcomes for children

Babies and young children, in the quiet room, sit, crawl and walk confidently to access a range of exciting resources. Treasure baskets contain natural elements including sponges, brushes, crinkly paper and differing textiles and they giggle delightfully experiencing tactile sensations as they play. They experiment with sound activated toys to promote hand-eye coordination and respond with smiles and excitement at their achievements. Careful consideration is shown to their individual routines as sleep is facilitated when they tire and feeding times are met.

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and outcomes for children

Children actively contribute to their learning and wherever possible, offer their own ideas and respond to challenges with great enthusiasm. First hand experiences promote skills development at children's individual levels.

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and outcomes for children

Exciting activities, including those relating to a range of cultural and traditional celebrations contribute towards developing skills in cutting, sticking, painting and colouring to produce highly creative work appropriate to children's age and stage ability. They use dialogue from different cultures to develop an acute awareness and to support children with English as an additional language and are sensitive towards those with additional needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary. A consistent approach to manage behaviour and acknowledge children's efforts encourages sensitive attitudes as they develop an acute awareness of how this impacts on their own safety and the needs of others.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an exceptional understanding of healthy living and personal hygiene routines. Meticulous arrangements are established to meet individual needs and consequently greatly reduce any risk to children's health. Nutritional foods contribute to children's health and development and children address their thirst needs through readily accessible drinks.

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and outcomes for children

Extremely elaborate observation and development records comprehensively record children's development. Photographs confirm their involvement as their achievements are recognised and valued to produce a detailed compilation of their time with the childminder. Ongoing efforts are progressing to include parents in adding to these to provide progress made at 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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