Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 225616 Inspection date 02/11/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 1986. She lives with her husband and three children in the Market Harborough area of Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two dogs and several fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children on a part-time basis, including, before and after school care. Of the children attending six are within the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local toddler group and is able to take and collect children from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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

The childminder creates a homely, relaxed environment where children can self- select resources and develop their independence. Children's unique care needs are well met, so helping to create an inclusive environment. All required documentation, including, written policies and procedures are in place and generally maintained to a good level. The childminder works extremely well with parents and other early years practitioners to help provide consistency of care for children. The childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement recognising the need to develop further the links between planning and assessment.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems to use observations and assessments in order to identify learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child  develop further details recorded in the fire log book to include all fire drills and any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and has a clear safeguarding policy that she shares with parents which supports her practice. She regularly attends training to ensure her knowledge is updated This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and is fully aware of signs and symptoms of possible abuse. The childminder is vigilant about all safety issues, which means that children are safe and secure in her care. Potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised through a combination of visual daily checks and written risk assessments. Good emphasis is placed on ensuring that children fully understand the importance of these in keeping them safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very caring person and totally dedicated to providing the best possible care for the children and their families. She is an experienced childminder and has cared for many of the older siblings of the children that she is currently minding. She is committed to continuous improvement and has attended several workshops to update her knowledge and skills, including, safeguarding, first aid, Early Year Foundation Stage and Progress Matters. The childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and has completed the Ofsted self- evaluation form to help identify the settings strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a sound capacity for improvement. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed and result in improved outcomes for children. The homely and welcoming environment that the childminder provides helps children to settle and

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the early years provision

feel at ease. Children's freedom of choice is supported because resources are plentiful and a good selection is easily accessible to them. The childminder regularly visits the local library and toy library to enhance the selection available to children. They have plenty of room to play and rest and the childminder effectively utilises the space available. The planning of activities is flexible and develops through the individual interests and play preferences of the children. This ensures that children benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities.

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the early years provision

Children flourish in the childminder's care and their individual needs are known and met because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. The childminder has formed excellent relationships with parents and regularly talks to them about their children's welfare and development. Discussions with parents at inspection and questionnaires received, include lots of very positive comments. The parents express great satisfaction with the service they receive. For example, many parents identify the caring attitude of the childminder and the fact that she provides a 'home from home' service. Parents are provided with a portfolio of information outlining the childminding service which includes a variety of policies and procedures, daily routines, activities and the children's Learning Journeys are available for parents to view. The childminder works in extremely close partnership with other early years

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the early years provision

professionals. She has forged excellent links with other childminders and settings that some of the children attend to help provide consistency of care. She has set up discussions with the children's key worker to share what she knows about the children's interests, achievements and learning. This ensures the children's individual needs are well met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well and successfully gaining skills for the future. This is because the childminder knows them well and provides them with a variety of fun and stimulating play experiences that suit their individual needs and preferences. Good warm and caring relationships between the childminder and the children are evident. They chat to each other easily and this helps the children to enjoy and achieve. Children are valued and the childminder helps them to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive praise, support and encouragement. This helps build children's self-esteem. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well. She frequently liaises with parents to discuss all aspects of children's care and learning and observes the children as they play and records what they can do. However, the information gained from observational assessments is not sufficiently used to help plan the next steps in children

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and outcomes for children

learning. Through reflective practice the childminder has identified this as an area for further improvement. Photographs and samples of children's work are attractively presented in individual folders which are made available for parents and children to view.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inquisitive and eager to learn. They enjoy looking at number cards and talking about what they see. The childminder is skilled at drawing their attention to the same cards and encourages them to match, sort and count the pictures. Children have access to a selection of mark making resources and activities are available, such as, paints, chalks, paper and crayons. They enjoy looking at books, singing songs and listening to nursery rhymes on compact discs. Children get plenty of robust physical exercise. They play outdoors with the wealth of toys and equipment, including, wheeled toys, push alongs, trampoline and enjoy using their imagination in the play house. Children are gaining a good understanding of the world they live in through their play. They have planted seeds and grown marrows and beans and frequently visit the local farm to feed the goats. Information technology is available to promote computer skills and the

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and outcomes for children

children are helped to consider and value diversity. They have access to a range of realistic resources, play opportunities and activities which promote disabilities and acknowledge cultural differences. Children enjoy cooking activities and sharing the end results with their friends.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping themselves safe through the discussions and activities provided. When on outings they wear fluorescent jackets and wrist bands and regularly join in fire evacuation practises to ensure that they know what to do in an emergency. However, details of the fire drills are not consistently recorded on the fire log to ensure children's safety is fully protected. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines and know when to wash their hands. There are good arrangements in place to care for children who are ill and the childminder is trained in administering first aid. Children are actively learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Although parents provide most of the food for the children the childminder promotes healthy eating through general play and routine discussion at meal times. Drinks are readily available and snacks include This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

plenty of fresh fruit. The childminder is fully aware of each child's individual dietary needs and ensures these are met. 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 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 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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