Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225471 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 has been registered since 1983 and lives with her adult daughter in Loughborough, Leicestershire. The location is convenient for school, shops and parks. The ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has two cats and five rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. There are four children attending who are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 enjoy themselves and are helped to achieve. They are well settled and have formed good relationships with the childminder. Children have access to a range of quality toys and resources that help them to make good progress in their learning and development. Positive partnerships between parents and other early years practitioners ensure individual children's needs are met. Documentation is regularly reviewed and stored appropriately. An effective system is in place to self- evaluate the setting, although observational assessments are not fully effective and resources are limited with regard to providing positive images of people with disabilities. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of procedures to follow in relation to child protection and safeguarding. She is aware of the various signs and symptoms of abuse and of the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. The childminder carries out visual and written checks on the inside and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside of her home and any outing undertaken with the children to enable them to play safely. A range of age-appropriate toys and resources are available for children to use, which support enjoyable activities and encourage them to learn in a fun way.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very caring person and totally dedicated to providing the best possible care for the children and their families. She is an experienced childminder and has cared for many of the older siblings of children that she is currently minding. She is committed to continuous improvement and since her last inspection has completed a level 3 childcare and education qualification and is working towards a level 2 qualification in caring for disabled people and children. The childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help identify the setting's strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder plans a variety of activities to ensure children remain stimulated and they are given the time to develop their ideas and interest, enabling them to expand their independent skills. This ensures that children benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a range of resources, play opportunities and activities which acknowledge cultural differences. However these are limited with regards to helping raise children's awareness of people with disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents with a range of written policies and procedures, including a complaints policy to ensure that they are fully informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to express a concern. The childminder works closely with parents, sharing information regularly to maintain an effective two- way flow of information. She places great value in ensuring that parents develop a sense of belonging to the setting and have a say in the care and well-being of their children. She seeks parental opinions and input verbally and in writing on a regular basis to enable her to monitor and develop the service provided. Parents and children speak highly of the childminder and one comment in particular echoes the overall sentiments received; 'the childminder goes above and beyond her hours and provides a happy, safe and secure environment'. The childminder has a clear system in place to gather information from parents regarding children's individual

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the early years provision

needs from the onset and effective settling-in arrangements ensure children are happy to be left with a trusted adult. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children, and has formed strong links with the local school and other childminders to ensure children needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a welcoming and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder's knowledge of each child's preferences ensures that their individual needs and are well met. The childminder ensures that children learn to show consideration for others, to share and to be kind to each other. She encourages children to always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. Outings, such as lunch at the local cafe, are used as an opportunity to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 help further develop children's understanding of expectations and how to behave. The childminder provides children with at variety of interesting activities and regularly rotates the toys to ensure the children do not become bored. She had devised an attractive folder of photographs, sample of children's work and written

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and outcomes for children

observations to share with parents. Although the childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well, such as what they like and dislike, and their favourite toy and activity, the information gained from the observations undertaken as they play is not sufficiently used to plan to meet their individual needs and next steps. The childminder has devised individual folders for each child, which include photographs, sample of children's work and written observations to share with parents to ensure they are fully informed of their child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have formed positive relationships with the childminder and are relaxed and settled. This enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children are keen to join in the activities, for example, they enjoy completing puzzles of varying degrees. They love using their imagination in role play and regularly join in craft activities, such as baking, painting and printing. Children have access to a variety of books, paper and crayons to help develop their early literacy and mark making skills. They really enjoy listening to and joining in with familiar stories and action songs with the childminder. Children develop their understanding of simple mathematics through daily routines and activities and use shape sorters and build with construction toys to help develop their simple problem solving skills. Children also benefit from a variety of activities outside the childminder's home. They frequently go for walks to

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and outcomes for children

the local park to feed the ducks, visit the library and attend the local toddler group where they are provided with plenty of opportunities to socialise with their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency, which the childminder ensures is regularly practised with them. Appropriate fire equipment, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, is provided and regularly checked to ensure it is in good working condition. Through activities and daily routines, children become aware of healthy eating. They are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks, and their individual dietary needs are established on admission and fully supported by the childminder. Children are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day; this encourages them to follow good hygiene practices. Children are well cared for if they have an accident and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access

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and outcomes for children

to the garden on a regular basis where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health. 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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