Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357322 Inspection date 08/11/2011 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 2007. She lives in Heanor, Derbyshire. The home is within easy access of the town centre and local amenities. The childminder works alongside another childminder, who is also her mother, at the home address. The whole house is registered for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities on both the ground and first floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. Children also have access to a large log cabin in the garden, which is specifically set up for children's play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered 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. When working with another childminder, they may care for a maximum of 10 children at any one time. The childminder is also registered to care for children overnight.

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Description of the childminding

Currently, the childminder has five children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. She takes children to and collects from local schools. Children attend for various part-time sessions. The childminder has achieved an appropriate level 3 qualification and has successfully completed a recognised quality assurance scheme. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual needs are exceptionally well met. Creative methods and a fantastic learning environment ensure that children make excellent progress in their learning. Safety is prioritised, with documentation and procedures being thorough and robustly implemented. The childminder provides an inclusive environment, working very successfully with parents and external partners to support all children in reaching their full potential. While the written self-evaluation form lacks individuality, the childminder is well qualified and very reflective. Therefore, she is highly proactive in continuing to develop her knowledge and skills to ensure that outcomes for children keep improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing the written self-evaluation form to identify individual strengths and weaknesses so that areas for improvement are always well targeted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding responsibilities are fully understood by the childminder. She has undertaken a wide range of training courses to support her understanding, including advanced child protection training. Her policy for protecting children from abuse is very robust and she has a wealth of information to refer to should she have a concern. Children's safety is expertly promoted within the home. The childminder undertakes very thorough risk assessments that are recorded, regularly reviewed and amended if required. She also undertakes daily checks on the indoor and outdoor area to ensure that the environment is suitable. All areas accessed by children are effectively maintained and laid out to enable safe and freedom of movement. On outings, the childminder assesses the suitability of the destination through the completion of a risk assessment. Whenever she re-visits a destination, the risk assessment is reviewed and any changes are addressed. She

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the early years provision

also carries emergency details for each child in case of any unforeseen incidents. This ensures that the safety of children is always top priority.

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the early years provision

Documentation is extensive and includes many policies and procedures that are well written and pertinent to the setting. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility in relation to data protection and has taken appropriate steps to ensure that she acts appropriately. The childminder is passionate about her role. She talks with fervour about the children and how she enjoys supporting their welfare and learning. She works alongside a co-childminder, and they share a positive goal for the provision that is centred on ensuring the best outcomes for children. They jointly evaluate the provision, with her co-childminder completing the written Ofsted self-evaluation form. This results in a minor lack of individuality for the childminder in relation to her personal targets for improvement being on the form. However, this does not detract from the fact that the childminder is extremely proactive in maintaining improvement and keeps up to date with

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the early years provision

changes and guidance across a range of subject areas. Consequently, high quality care and learning are consistently provided for children.

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the early years provision

Partnership working is outstanding. The childminder's relationship with parents is warm, open and remains professional. Parents receive a huge amount of information that extends beyond information about their child. For example, information about supporting children's health, and school and local community events is all readily available. Parents are heavily involved with all aspects of the children's welfare and learning, including receiving and giving feedback about children's developmental goals. Daily discussions also occur regarding children's care and progress, ensuring any changes are promptly responded to. This exemplary practice ensures that children are always receiving individualised care in accordance with their current needs. The childminder has developed two-way communication with all of the schools that the children attend. The partnership folders contain, for example, newsletters, planning and various other types of

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the early years provision

communication for each school to ensure superb sharing of information and enable children to make rapid progress.

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the early years provision

A fully inclusive setting promotes equality and diversity exceptionally well. An This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 incredible amount of beneficial information keeps children's individual needs met. The childminder fully understands their different learning styles and any matters that may affect their concentration, mood or ability, which includes any special educational needs and/or disabilities. A very broad range of activities, outings and resources depicting positive images of the wider world are available as an integral part of children's learning. This means that children gain a strong understanding about valuing similarities and differences. The resources in the setting are excellent and vast in quantity. The home is completely given over to childminding and set out to be very conducive to children's care and learning. This includes the recent purchase of a log cabin in the garden which is brilliantly resourced. The

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the early years provision

free-flow around the environment means that children are always able to have independent play and make decisions. The childminder shares her time very well between children and a key worker system provides children with a closeness that helps them to settle well and promotes learning successfully.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain huge benefit from the methods used by the childminder to promote their learning. As a result, they make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has implemented a development folder for each child and a thorough system for observing and monitoring progress is in place. Consequently, children continue to be challenged to move forward towards their next steps. Children are enthusiastic about their time with the childminder and are confident and happy. They have access to an excellent range of first-hand learning opportunities, both in the home and outside. Young children are developing independence. They use a wipe to clean their hands and face, copying the childminder's demonstration and trying to repeat the words to describe their nose hands and face. Their analytic skills are forming well. A young child focuses intensely and is able to work out how to fit together interlocking 'pens'. They enjoy

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and outcomes for children

being creative with media, such as paper and crayons, and also being imaginative, pouring a 'cup of tea' for the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

External and spontaneous opportunities enhance children's learning. For example, children have been discussing people who help us, in particular firefighters. The childminder took the children to see the firefighters 'put out a fire' in the training tower, which is close to the home. Children's health is expertly supported and they have their own personal hygiene items, such as a flannel and toothbrush. Excellent procedures and records are in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection and manage accidents and medication. For example, the childminder has a completely separate area for changing nappies. Children have made their own reminders about washing hands, as well as information displayed that gives pictorial steps. Cross-infection is also reduced by good all-round hygiene routines, such as nose blowing, using hand gel and removing outdoor shoes. Children have meals and snacks that comply with their dietary requirements. There are many posters

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and outcomes for children

displayed that show foods that are healthy and children have made their own 'plate of food' in a collage. Children's physical skills are enhanced as they access an extensive range of play equipment in the garden and also on visits into the local community, such as the local park. Indoors, they dance and play movement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 games, such as musical statues, that help them to control movement. The childminder encourages them to understand the importance that exercise has on their health while enjoying their activity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given valuable information about keeping themselves safe. As well as learning about, for example, safely walking when out in the community, the childminder helps them to assess risk for themselves and to recognise their own feelings and what makes them feel safe and unsafe. Children demonstrate exemplary behaviour. They learn about the consequences of their behaviour and how it may affect others. They also learn about techniques, tools and skills to manage their own behaviour. Children are very well mannered and respectful of their environment and each other. They learn about being tolerant of others, which is helped by being involved with enjoyable activities. For example, they learned about the meaning of the Diwali festival and had their hand decorated with traditional cultural patterns. They are involved with topics, such as recycling and litter awareness, which help children to think more about and respect their

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and outcomes for children

environment. They also take part in charity fundraising to promote their awareness of those less fortunate, both close to home and in the wider world. 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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