Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357400 Inspection date 09/11/2011 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 works at the home of another childminder, who is also her daughter, in Heanor, Derbyshire. The home is within easy access of the town centre and local amenities. The whole house with the exception of the main bedroom 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, together, 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 seven children on roll, one of the children is in the early years age group. She takes children to and collects from local schools. She also cares for children who are over eight years. Children attend for various part- time sessions. The childminder has achieved an appropriate level three qualification and has completed a qualification in preparing to teach in the life-long learning sector at level four. She is currently working towards a recognised early years degree. The childminder has successfully completed an accredited 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 make excellent progress in this inclusive setting, where their individual needs are effectively met. Their safety and well-being are prioritised. This includes helping children to keep themselves safe and for the most part, successfully teaching them about bodily awareness. Excellent partnerships with parents and other providers ensure children are happy, settled and make significant achievements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is proactive and highly professional in having developed rigorous, reflective monitoring systems. This, united with admirable, specific goals ensures continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote health and bodily awareness further by helping children to understand about different types of exercise, its effect on their bodies and the positive contribution it can make to their health. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated to ensuring that children remain safe and secure. She has undergone extensive training to ensure that she has the knowledge and skills to keep children safe from abuse and has developed documentation and records to effectively support her practice. Risk assessments that are carried out on the indoor, outdoor environment and on outings are comprehensive and robust. These are reviewed regularly and updated as required. For example, the recent erection of a long cabin in the garden has been thoroughly assessed. The home is secure. The main door has a chain on, which is used before opening. There are notices as a reminder not to open the door without checking who is behind it. The childminder also keeps a record of visitors to the setting. She works effortlessly with her co-childminder, using a key-worker system to create a closeness with children and their families. As a result children's safety is very effectively

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely well-organised. Her documentation is categorised and labelled so that it is easy to refer to. There is a vast amount of records and documents, all of which, are used to promote the outcomes for children. She is impassioned about the childminding and as a result is constantly reviewing her practice and the provision. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has also reviewed it since her initial writing. She is very well-qualified and remains committed to furthering her skills and knowledge. This ensures that children receive the best possible care and learning in order to maximise their potential. Children are recognised for their uniqueness. They are encouraged to take part in all activities without discrimination. Activities and resources are put into place to recognise a child's particular culture or religion. Children use a range of resources that depict positive images. For example, they look at books, make a self-portrait

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the early years provision

using crayons of different skin tone colours and play with small world people. There are posters that depict positive images of differences and a welcome poster in various languages.

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the early years provision

The childminder works extremely well with parents and external partners. They have access to a wide range of information on the walls and boards of the provision. This includes information about the Early Years Foundation Stage and the childminder's policies and procedures. There is extensive material in easy-to- access boxes about, for example, the local library, clinics, safeguarding, weaning and local events, such as, a recent firework display. They are very well-informed about their child's learning and development. For example, in addition to daily discussions, parents receive regular written reports about children's progress and share in the setting of goals for their child's future. The childminder has developed partnerships with all of the different schools that the children attend. Information is regularly shared to ensure consistency for children. As a result of this outstanding practice, children make excellent growth in their development. The

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the early years provision

resources that children have access to are amazing. The environment is wonderful, bright, child-friendly and very beneficial to their learning. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and maintained in excellent condition. They are fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessible so that children can think creatively about their play. The large cabin in the garden is brilliantly resourced and enhances children's enjoyment. Children take part in activities about re-cycling and litter awareness to help them understand about, and respect their environment.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent routines strongly support children's understanding about a healthy lifestyle. Super bathroom facilities enable children to be independent and follow good hygiene practices. For example, steps and adapted seats help to build confidence with toilet training. They have their own flannel, toothbrush and hand washing facilities. Gentle reminders from the childminder are reinforced in picture format. Children enjoy daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The well- equipped garden provides many physical challenges, such as, balancing, skipping, sliding and climbing. The childminder helps children acquire bodily awareness. She talks to them about how exercise benefits their health. For example, they discuss how muscles develop strength, although, there is less focus on the importance of different types of exercise, such as, aerobic, on promoting health and fitness. Children get involved with cooking, which helps them to understand about where

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and outcomes for children

food comes from and enjoy eating it. The role-play area is very well-resourced with different fruits and vegetables. Posters of different foods are displayed around the rooms and the childminder explains to children about why particular foods are good for them, what nutrients certain foods contain and how their body uses them. Children are beginning to understand that some foods are for special occasions and treats.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and confident in the setting, demonstrating a very strong sense of security. They learn to use tools and equipment correctly and diligently follow the safety rules when outside of the home. Through the childminder's clear explanations, they learn about possible dangers and also how to assess and manage risk for themselves. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how young children learn. She makes excellent use of her knowledge to create a highly stimulating environment where a wealth of accessible, high quality toys and play materials excite and entice children to explore and investigate. For example, they use sparkling coloured lights in the 'sensory tent' to look at and explore shadows. The coloured lights go off when exposed to natural light and children are fascinated as to why this happens. They then compare this to a battery operated light that they

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and outcomes for children

switch on and off. An in-depth knowledge of individual children is gained from thorough, ongoing observations and rigorous assessments. This information is used to plan and provide rich, varied and imaginative experiences both indoors and out, which significantly enhance children's progress towards the early learning goals. A puzzle helps children with number and problem solving skills. Children match the pictures on the card to the written number, piecing together the puzzle. When playing with the magnetic train set children learn that the magnets repel as well as attract each other. The childminder suggests to the children that they try to put the magnets together to feel the force of the repelling sides and then put them the opposite way and watch them 'jump together'. They then use magnetic fishing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rods to work out what surfaces the magnets will connect with.

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and outcomes for children

Conversation is on-going and this successfully promotes language skills. Children enthusiastically talk about familiar things. For example, a child excitedly talks about 'daddy's car' and a visit to a soft play centre. Open questions and two-way discussion helps to improve vocabulary and pronunciation. Children are caring towards each other. For example, one child makes a point of checking that a younger child is 'okay'. They behave with the utmost respect for the environment and the childminder. They learn to take-turns and share through, for example, group games. They learn about how their behaviour affects others and are quietly reminded that it is not necessary to raise their voice as they can be easily heard. Positive behaviour is strongly reinforced. For example, a child offers to help out at lunch time and tells the childminder that he 'helps mummy', to which the childminder replies that this is 'very kind'. The childminder displays children's

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and outcomes for children

creations and photographs within the home and involves them in decisions about, for example, their play and meals. Consequently, children develop very high levels of self-esteem. Overall, this strongly assists children in developing skills that support their future. 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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