Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264853 Inspection date 21/10/2011 Inspector Sheena Gibson

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband in Chellaston, Derby. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant, who is also her daughter, at the premises. The home is close to the town centre, shops, schools and parks. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a secure outdoor area. The family has two dogs. Childminder is a member of National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the Derby City Early Years network.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years at any one time. The number remains the same when working with an assistant. Currently three children on roll, all of who are in the early years age group.

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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's individual needs are exceptionally well met. The childminder is very effective in supporting their learning, therefore, they make rapid progress. A comprehensive range of well-written and relevant documentation underpins practice. The successful, innovative ways of sharing information with parents and external partners ensures a valuable source of support for children's welfare and learning. A strong commitment to improvement results in a comprehensive self- evaluation, although does not always use a variety of methods to consider the views of all stakeholders in the setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further ways of involving parents, assistant and children's views as part of the self-evaluation process.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding about keeping children safe. She has undertaken training in safeguarding children from abuse and ensures that this is kept up-to-date. For example, she also accesses National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children courses. She has robust risk assessments that are particularly relevant to her setting, contain very good detail and are regularly reviewed. Daily checks also take place for the indoor, outdoor environment and for toys and equipment. The breadth of documentation ensures that all aspects of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's welfare and learning are covered. This is exceptionally well-maintained. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and behaves accordingly, ensuring that only authorised persons have access to children's information.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very strong commitment to improvement and constantly reviews her practice; a continuous improvement plan being prominently placed in the kitchen. Her recommendation from the previous inspection was thoroughly met. She has completed a large number of workshops and has amassed a huge amount of reference materiel that she uses to support her practice. She consistently keeps up-to-date. For example, she has registered to receive updates from Ofsted via e-mail. She is planning for the future even further by attending a workshop that informs her about the recent Early Years Foundation Stage review. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation on-line and this is extremely detailed. She takes on board the views of parents, children and her assistant, although she is not always using a variety of methods to do this and is sometimes quite informal.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are promoted exceptionally well. The childminder has a comprehensive inclusion policy and takes great care to ensure that children's uniqueness is promoted. For example, where children have English as an additional language she makes sure that their background and differences are celebrated. She has learned sign language to support a child with a hearing impairment and words in another language to be able to welcome and relate to all families. She accesses training and reference materials to enable her to tailor children's learning to their needs and abilities. To, in turn, help children to understand diversity the childminder went to an open evening at a multi-faith centre. She ensures that there is a wide range of activities and resources that depict positive images of other people in the world. For example, books that she has access to range from helping children cope with divorce, showing how men and women can do the same

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the early years provision

job and respecting that some children have same-sex parents.

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the early years provision

The deployment of resources is excellent. The childminder ensures that children have a free-flow access through the indoors and outdoors. Toys are organised to offer children choices and the option to extend their own play by bringing something else into an activity. The childminder obtains furniture and equipment that are of high quality, are manufactured by reputable companies and comply with safety standards. Super relationships with parents and partnerships in the wider context ensure a complete and effective system of communication to thoroughly support children's care and learning. For example, the transitional arrangements are innovative and support children brilliantly. Information is shared with all parties and includes, for example, putting photographs on a memory stick for parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Excellent procedures and practice ensure that children stay healthy and the risk of cross-infection is minimised. Children are encouraged to routinely wash their hands. They are reminded by pictures and it is made easy by the childminder using a sensor activated soap pump that all ages can use. Detailed information regarding sickness and, including different exclusion periods, is given to parents. Children are given healthy meals and snacks, provided mostly by parents. The childminder is very aware of food allergies and works with parents and health professionals to make sure that children's health is appropriately safeguarded. Children demonstrate a feeling of trust and security with the childminder. They feel reassured by a cuddle when they are tired and are comforted at nap time because they have the same teddy as they have at home. They practise road safety and are beginning to recognise dangers in the outdoors. This is reinforced through books

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and outcomes for children

about staying safe and talking about consequences of their actions.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning is extremely well supported, therefore, they make very good progress. Superb information is obtained in relation to children's starting point, including an innovative, comprehensive booklet that is completed by parents. The learning environment is very conducive to learning. The indoor area is well- organised and helps children to be independent, active learners. The splendid outdoor area includes a two-storey play house, a wildlife garden and large shaded area which is waterproof and offers protection from ultraviolet rays. The childminder has an excellent knowledge about how children learn, including schemas. Her observation records are of superior quality and used most effectively to support children's next steps for learning. Children have a great balance of activities to support their developing skills. They are happy, confident and very interested in learning. They are engaged in activities that they both enjoy and that

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and outcomes for children

help them to develop and consolidate skills. A well-balanced programme of extra activities includes visits to the farm, where they learn that ice-cream made from the cows milk, a trip to collect eggs and using local parks, which gives them plenty of fresh air and exercise as well as a valuable learning experience.

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and outcomes for children

Technology is a favourite and is found in many forms. They take photographs of each other on the childminder's mobile telephone and digital camera. Role play toys such as the play farm and also jigsaws have electronic sounds. When playing with the farm children count the farmers and work out how they fit inside the tractor. The childminder uses positional language to help them along. Young children are finding their voice and the childminder is introducing new language to them through books, games and appropriate conversation. Children regularly visit the shops, which extends learning. They write a shopping list and look for items in various types of shop such as greengrocers, supermarket, shoe shop and chemist. They pay for their goods, which supports their numeracy skills. There is much for the children to explore with the childminder. For example, they search for mini- beasts, build with the sensory blocks and experience the wild animals that visit the

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and outcomes for children

Children are very sociable. They have a routine, which helps them to understand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the expectations of behaviour. House rules are displayed in picture form for those children who are too young to read them. The childminder encourages children to play cooperatively, be kind to each other and respect one another views. She explains to children about what is right and wrong, using stories to reinforce ideals. 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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