Childminder in Lincolnshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY380093 Inspection date 14/01/2009 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and child aged three years in Welwyn Garden City. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one bedroom upstairs. There is a secure garden for outside play. There is a step to the front entrance of the property. The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children under eight. She is currently caring for one child in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder works in partnership with parents. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are generally making good progress in their learning and development, although the observational assessment is not fully developed and therefore does not identify individual children's next steps or inform planning. Most policies are in place to safeguard children effectively, although there are some safety hazards on the premises. Children are not given clear explanations to help keep themselves safe. Inclusive practice is promoted to ensure that each child reaches their potential and children are becoming aware of the wider world. The childminder has taken positive steps to improve her practice through self-evaluation and starting an accreditation scheme that has enabled her to clearly identify her strengths and priorities for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 assess the risks to children in relation to accessible alcohol and sharp knives and scissors and take action to minimise these  develop the observational assessment system to inform planning  improve methods for helping children learn to keep themselves safe.

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provision

The childminder has completed a form of self-evaluation of her practice and has clearly identified the areas she needs to improve on. She has highlighted her own training needs and made an initial start by arranging to take part in an accreditation scheme in order to further her capacity to improve. She communicates well with the parents to gain information from them, especially the initial information sheets about the child's likes, routine and background and gives both verbal and written feedback to parents about the daily care. However, parents are not made aware of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint.

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provision

Children are protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children and the relevant literature is in place. Not all hazards on the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises have been minimised and children are not learning to keep themselves safe because they are not told the reason why something is dangerous and the possible consequences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy learning and benefit from a range of opportunities and experiences that support them in making progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder provides activities that ensure their interests and needs are included. For example, offering lots of opportunities for the child she is caring for to develop her speech and language which is appropriate to her age. Although some observations have been carried out, they do not link to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and do not show how they are used to inform future planning. The childminder has identified this as an area in which she needs to improve and has been pro-active in developing this.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her home and resources are easily accessible to all children and this allows them to make choices. The childminder supports children well in their learning, encouraging their language development and social skills such as sharing. Children particularly experience this when they visit the various activity groups at the local Children's centre and are keen to help the younger children. There are opportunities for the children to climb when the visit the park and use the apparatus and soft play areas. Children enjoy dancing and doing action rhymes such as 'row, row, row your boat' with the childminder and other children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They collect leaves and then make a collage and enjoy all sorts of art and craft activities. For example, making Christmas cards for their parents. They look at maps and talk about the different countries and what animals live there and have also tried food from different countries. Children love books and visit the library for story time as well as listening to the childminder read stories. They are encouraged to draw and have started forming letters.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children construct towers with bricks, counting as they build and are beginning to recognise colours and identify sounds as they jump on the music mat. They enjoy dressing up and making dinner with the play kitchen as well as using the finger puppets to make up their own stories.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a generally safe, secure environment. A risk assessment has been conducted, although not all hazards have been minimised. The sharp knives, scissors and alcohol are accessible and therefore potentially dangerous to the children. Although children talk about road safety whilst out walking with the childminder, not enough explanation is given to children as to why something is dangerous. For example, one child was told to take the spoon out of his mouth whilst running around but was not told the reason why. Children's health is well promoted as she ensures handtowels are changed daily and there is a notice to remind children when they need to wash their hands. Parents are aware of her sickness policy and she takes great care to ensure all the parental consents and records are in place with regards to medication, illness and accidents. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children and has all the required literature in place. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. 28/01/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. 28/01/2009

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