Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355278 Inspection date 12/01/2012 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years of age. The family live in Fleckney, Leicester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, along with the upstairs bathroom. Accessibility to the premises is suitable. The family have a pet dog, cat, two rabbits and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children attending under the age of eight years, one of whom is within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Care is also provided for older children. Children attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled in the childminders home. Space is suitably organised and resources are deployed appropriately. The childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion and children's health is suitably promoted. Children are aware of the emergency evacuation procedure, but there is no written log of emergency evacuations. The childminder is in the very early stages of identifying her strengths and areas for improvement. Partnerships with other providers where children attend more than one setting are not fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop the provision for children attending after school to make sure that it complements the education and care in other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage for those children.

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded as the childminder ensures that all adults living or working on the premises complete appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder demonstrates she has a suitable knowledge and understanding of all types of abuse. She is aware of responsibilities in the event of a concern about a child in her care. The childminder has a set of written policies for parents, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including ones on safeguarding, complaints and lost and uncollected children. Therefore, parents are kept informed. Children are supervised appropriately at all times and space within the home and garden are suitably organised. Many potential hazards to children have been minimised and children participate in the emergency evacuation drill. However, the childminder does not keep a record of these drills. As a result, children's safety may be compromised. Parental consents

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the early years provision

have been obtained for the administration of medication and the childminder is aware of any legal restrictions and who has parental responsibility for the children in her care. The childminder registration certificate is displayed along with information of who to contact if the parents wish to make a complaint about the service.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the very early stages of beginning to recognise the importance of self-evaluation. She is able to identify a few of her own strengths and areas for improvement. For example, she has identified that she would like further support to effectively implement the learning and development requirements. The childminder demonstrates how she would support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She has a positive attitude towards inclusion and encourages all children to participate in group games and activities. Secure arrangements are made to ensure children of all ages and capabilities access all of the toys and activities that are available. The childminder is aware of the benefits of developing links with other providers where children attend more than one setting. However, at present this is not fully effective and may impact upon the progress children make.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are satisfactory. Information is provided and required documentation is suitably maintained. Parents are made to feel welcome during the settling-in-visits and communication is provided on a daily basis when the children are collected. Parents who expressed their opinions share they especially appreciate the flexible and reliable service the childminder provides. They also share the environment is relaxed and their children's individual likes and dislikes are considered in the planning of meals.

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages and stages of development are suitably challenged and supported by the childminder in their play. The childminder plans some of the activities she provides and suitably considers the children's individual interests and learning styles. For example, she follows their interests in role play by creating a fast food restaurant with play foods, cash registers and table and chairs. The childminder provides children with a satisfactory balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. She is in the early stages of observing children whilst they play and linking their learning to the six areas. On some occasions the childminder makes assessments of this learning and uses this information to plan their next steps in their learning. Therefore, children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is being suitably enhanced. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They share relationships with the childminder, her husband and their peers. They are comfortable within their surroundings and on arrival after a day at school they are keen to make choices about what they would like to play with. The childminder makes suggestions to younger children and settles them into their chosen activity. For example, she talks to them about which stencils they would like to use on their drawings. Children are encouraged to use their manners, share and be kind to one another. The childminder consistently manages their behaviour. She is aware of when to intervene to dilute disagreements between the children. She directs the children's play to ensure they are all equally involved. Consequently, all children feel valued and secure in the childminder's home. Children are confident and enjoy

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and outcomes for children

talking to visitors. They chat about their day at school, the names of their teachers and their recent introduction to learning to play the recorder. Older children who have been playing instruments longer support the younger children by showing them where to put their fingers on the recorder to create individual musical notes.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of their own safety is enhanced through general conversation and specific discussions with the childminder. For example, the childminder explains to them how to sit on the chairs to prevent them from falling off. She also teaches them about road safety on the walk home from school. Older children are given a little more responsibility and younger children stay very close to the childminder holding her hand.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is suitably enhanced as procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder reminds children not to put the play food used in role play into their mouths, but just pretend. Children are provided with food they enjoy and their individual preferences are taken into account. Meals and some snacks are nutritionally balanced. For example, children eat meals such as meatballs and pasta or fish fingers, new potatoes and vegetables. The childminder is qualified in first aid which means she can offer appropriate care in the event of an accident involving the children. Detailed health records are completed and children's specific medical needs are known by the childminder. The children spend time in the fresh air walking on a daily basis. Therefore, the children's general health is being promoted. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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