Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY419147 Inspection date 18/10/2011 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 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged 13 and 10 years in Kirton, Lincolnshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. 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 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 provides a safe and homely environment for children and has developed warm relationships with the children she cares for. They participate in a varied range of stimulating play experiences which allow them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has good knowledge of children's individual needs due to regular communication with parents. Systems to observe and assess children's progress are developing well. The childminder understands her strengths and weaknesses and is beginning to identify realistic steps for development in order 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?

 implement a system that provides a two-way flow of information with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure regular evacuation drills are carried out with all children and recorded in a fire log book  ensure identified next steps relate to individual children's learning and information regarding children's starting points is gathered from parents.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has good knowledge of child protection and how to report concerns. She attends regular training to ensure she has the most up-to-date information and suitability checks have been carried This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out on adults living at the premises. Clear risk assessment systems are in place for both the home and outings, which identifies hazards and ensures appropriate action is taken to keep children safe. Any new risks, such as a new conservatory being built are assessed immediately. Most documentation, including parental permissions, registers and records which are required to support childminding are well maintained. However, although an emergency escape plan is in place for children to be able to participate in fire drills, this has not been practised and recorded with all the children. The childminder shares a range of well thought out

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the early years provision

policies and procedures with parents which underpins the good practice at the setting.

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the early years provision

Children are able to self-select from a good range of toys and resources which are stored attractively in the playroom. They are organised effectively to meet children's individual needs and promote their independence. The childminder has a secure knowledge of each child and their backgrounds and constantly liaises with parents to ensure their continuing needs are met. The childminder understands the need to enable children to become aware of similarities and differences in people and teaches children about values and respect through her resources and activities.

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the early years provision

Positive, friendly relationships have developed with parents and they receive a good exchange of information about their child's day at collection time. Photographs of children's achievements are shared with parents and they comment very positively in questionnaires. Children also attend other settings who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, at present there are no systems in place to share information which supports children's achievements and well-being across both settings. The childminder displays a positive approach to improving outcomes for children and clear systems for self-evaluation are beginning to be implemented. The childminder demonstrates a firm commitment to attending training and has identified a number of courses, such as tracking children's progress, which she feels will improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder meets children's care needs well, for example, through sleep and eating routines, demonstrated when children settle easily for a sleep in familiar surroundings. Children in general are confident to use the play space provided and approach the childminder with ease if they require assistance. Young children enjoy close contact with the childminder, sitting on her knee to look at a favourite book or having a cuddle when a little upset. The childminder has a clear understanding of learning through play and supports children appropriately in activities, spending most of her time at their level on the floor. The childminder is making clear progress with her records of children's achievements and they include a good mixture of observations and photographs. However, next steps are not always meaningful to individual children's learning and parental input is currently not gathered as a starting point for learning.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Young children learn to problem solve through activities, such as stacking cups and age-appropriate jigsaws. Older children concentrate hard to thread laces the correct way in order to create their pictures. Books are readily available and attractively displayed to encourage children's understanding that print carries meaning. Children attend a number of local groups for social interaction and enhancement of learning, for example, through messy play and musical activities. Their physical skills are promoted well through age-appropriate equipment in the garden and frequent trips to the park. Children are able to demonstrate their creativity through art and craft activities, such as painting and play dough, using a variety of tools to make their 'cakes'. The childminder incorporates other areas of learning as she talks about the different colours of the play dough and the child

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and outcomes for children

carefully counts the cakes she has made.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is well promoted. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy by adopting personal hygiene routines, such as hand washing after using the toilet. All documentation which safeguards children's health is maintained to a good standard and a valid first aid qualification allows the childminder to effectively deal with minor injuries. Snacks provided by the childminder are healthy and nutritious and drinks are readily available. Children in general, feel safe and secure in the setting, demonstrated through their happy and confident disposition. Relationships are still building with those children who are new to the setting and they are beginning to form secure attachments to the childminder. In general, behaviour is good and the childminder ensures she uses praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour and instil confidence and self-esteem. 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 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

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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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