Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 226557 Inspection date 03/11/2011 Inspector K.A. Bryan

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and children aged 21, 19 and 12 years in the Braunstone area of Leicester. The ground floor living room, playroom and toilet facilities are primarily used for childcare purposes. However, the first floor, including the family bathroom, is also used on occasions and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There is a pond in the garden but children do not have access to this. The family has a parrot and two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children at any one time during the day and up to three children for overnight care. She also works with an assistant. Currently there are six children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range, and she also offers care to older children before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has experience of supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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 are happy and included at the setting because the childminder allows them time to settle and feel secure. She works closely with parents and others involved in children's care to ensure she can respond quickly to their individual needs. Generally, all children make good progress in their learning and development and enjoy a wide range of activities which are supported by good quality resources. All required policies and procedures are in place and the childminder uses self-evaluation well to identify ways in which she can improve her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations so they are frequent enough to build on children's achievements and accomplishments  develop recording systems so that children's starting points are linked to the areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to safeguard children, and parents receive a copy of the safeguarding policy, which ensures they understand how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their children are protected. The childminder has also undertaken training in this area. All adults at the home have been checked and children are never left with people who have not been cleared, which further enhances safety measures in place.

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the early years provision

Parents receive a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures so they understand how their children will be cared for. The childminder talks to parents regularly about their child's care and sets a time aside every fortnight to work through children's 'learning journeys' with them. Children also take work home so parents can share in their achievements, and parents have expressed positive comments about the care of their children. Good systems are in place to work with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children receive consistent care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a range of training, which demonstrates her commitment to developing her service to children. She also uses self-evaluation well to identify areas for continuous improvement, such as using trackers more efficiently. All recommendations from the last inspection have been implemented and used effectively to promote children's safety and learning experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of keeping children safe and ensures she is always in the kitchen and garden with them to maintain their well-being. She also helps children to gain an awareness of their own safety as she talks to them about hazards and the consequences of these. For example, on walks children learn about road safety, stranger danger and the importance of staying close to her. The childminder also takes a mobile phone and a first aid kit on any trips so children's safety is always well promoted. Daily checks on the home ensure the environment poses no hazards to children, and a written risk assessment underpins this.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and training in this helps her to offer a wide range of activities for children. Children make good progress in their learning and development because observations are linked to the areas of learning and next steps are identified. However, starting points are not yet linked to the areas of learning and observations are infrequent, which means children's progress is not recorded as effectively as possible.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of her home to provide children with the freedom to explore their surroundings. A designated playroom offers them lots of opportunities to make choices about activities, and labelled resources help to promote word recognition. The playroom also has a small table and chairs so children can work at their own height in safety. Warm relations are in place between the childminder and the children and they are clearly settled and happy with her. They happily bring her their favourite books and enjoy making animal noises as they look through these and feel the different textures of the animals. This promotes their imagination and senses well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy being outside and regularly go to a local park, which has large equipment, such as climbing frames and swings, offering them a good range of

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and outcomes for children

physical challenges. The childminder helps children to develop a good awareness of the wider world as she acknowledges a range of festivals and plans activities to engage the children, such as making a dragon for Chinese New Year. This is completed by all the children, which also helps them learn about cooperation and working together. The childminder encourages children with English as an additional language to feel included by using some key words and by promoting their choices. She also uses an 'emotion fan' so children can show her how they are feeling, and using this she can help them to feel better. Consequently, children feel acknowledged and valued, and understand the childminder is there to help them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to promote children's awareness of the natural world as they collect leaves and take these home to make Autumn displays. They also learn to recycle, and practical activities, such as making scarecrows out of discarded materials, help them to understand how to care for the environment effectively. Children behave well and the childminder has a clear awareness of using age-appropriate strategies to help them manage their behaviour. For example, by re-directing young children and using time out to help older children think about the consequences of their actions. Simple house rules, such as sharing, help children to understand what is expected of them and they respond well to the childminder's gentle reminders to share. Children learn about being healthy because the childminder explains to them about germs and how to prevent these from spreading. She also helps children to learn about healthy eating as they grow

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and outcomes for children

cress and use this in sandwiches. The childminder provides snacks of fruit, and children help themselves to drinks, learning how to keep themselves healthy. 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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