Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431204 Inspection date 01/03/2012 Inspector Kathryn Clayton

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged five and 10 years in Scunthorpe. She uses all of her home for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play opportunities. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Registration is for five children aged under eight years of age, of whom three may be in the early years age range and one under aged one at any one time. She is registered to care for one child aged under eight overnight. The childminder works with an assistant and when working together they may care for a maximum of 10 children, of whom six may be in the early years age range and two under aged one at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently six children on roll who are all in the early years age range. Children are taken to local groups, places of interest and for walks in the area. The family has a pet dog.

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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 provides an inclusive service where all children's individual needs are met and they make good progress in their development and learning. Effective safeguarding procedures very successfully promote children's welfare. Good evaluation of the service helps to drive forward continual improvements and many positive changes have been made since registration. Excellent partnerships are developed with parents meaning they are fully involved in their child's learning. Most aspects of the partnerships with other agencies and providers support children's achievements and well-being.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop effective working relationships with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring information about children's next steps for development are discussed and shared to ensure continuity and progression.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps up-to-date with current safeguarding procedures by attending regular training. This means she has a good understanding of the signs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that may cause her to be concerned about a child's welfare and knows the procedures to follow should there be any such concerns. The childminder completes effective risk assessments of her home and minimises risks so that children can play safely. The premises are secure, as there is a buzzer entrance system on the garden gate and a viewing hole so the childminder can see all visitors before she allows them in. She ensures the family dog is within an enclosed area away from the playing children.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her service involving parents and children in this process. Parents complete informative questionnaires and the childminder reflects with the children upon the activities they have undertaken. The childminder also involves parents and children in decision making. For example, parents were asked to make suggestions when the childminder wanted to change the meals she provided. Many improvements have been made since registration, such as, the further development of the outdoor area to provide a very stimulating learning environment.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy using a wide range of interesting resources. The childminder makes good use of the space available and children have direct access to the outdoor area, which they explore with interest and enjoyment. The childminder teaches children about the importance of being careful with resources. Activities take place which help children to gain a positive awareness of diversity, such as, learning about how weddings are celebrated in different ways. The childminder develops excellent relationships with parents. She completes home visits so parents can have discussions with her in their own environment. Children visit with their parents for a number of short sessions and the childminder completes observations of them over the first few weeks of their attendance. All of these measures help her with to gain a wealth of information about children's individual needs and for children to settle more easily into her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops outstanding partnerships with parents. They have secure access to the childminder's website where they can view video clips of their children at play. Parents are exceedingly well informed about their child's progress and have the opportunity to contribute to observations completed by the childminder. Parents can continue their child's learning at home, for example, children take home a special bear which can be used to prompt discussions between parents and child. The childminder works effectively with the local authority and makes links to the other providers children attend, although as information is not always shared these relationships are not fully effective in promoting children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing in a very stimulating environment and have good opportunities to make their own choices. The childminder uses effective planning and assessment systems which are individual to each child. She gathers a wealth This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of information which she uses as a starting point when planning for children's progress. The childminder completes regular observations of children and tracks children's achievements across all areas of learning. She successfully identifies and follows through the next steps of children's learning. All of these measures help children progress well. She teaches children to be independent, to pour their own drinks and learn to use the stairs safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children see their names and photographs on the wall and have drawers where they keep personal items, which gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder puts children's photographs into snow globes so they feel valued when they play with them. Very positive methods are used for behaviour management and this helps children to behave well. Children are consistently praised and at times receive stickers for using good manners. As children play the childminder effectively encourages their language development. One example is during role play when she encourages children to 'talk' to their family on a play phone. She also completes the 'Every Child a Talker' programme with children. Children show good developing technological skills, for example, babies can consistently make lights come on and off when playing with soft interactive toys.

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and outcomes for children

Very good use is made of the indoor and outdoor spaces and there are many activities that stimulate children and encourage them to explore their senses. As a result, babies and young children are gleeful and concentrate well as they handle interesting textured resources, or spend time making a colourful windmill go around. There are a wide range of experiences that effectively promote children's creativity without the need for a finished product, such as painting and collage. The enthusiastic childminder provides a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated play and gives good individual attention to each child. As a result, she develops strong and trusting relationships with children. Through singing songs, such as 'five little ducks went swimming one day', children gain an early understanding of numbers and counting. The childminder plans experiences that teach children to listen carefully, to follow instructions and think things through. An

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and outcomes for children

example of this is when they complete a game of 'what have we got in the tin today'. Good use is made of incidental experiences to teach children about the natural world. They are encouraged to look closely at the birds through binoculars when in the garden or learn about butterflies and foxes on a museum visit.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. The childminder monitors the level of children's physical activity and knows the children who attend particularly benefit from outdoor play. They have excellent opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise throughout the day. Children enjoy using equipment such as a climbing frame, slides, bikes and sit and ride toys that promote their physical skills extremely well. Hygiene routines very effectively promote children's good health, for example, they learn to brush their teeth after meals. Children know they have to wash their hands and use anti-bacterial gel before they eat a healthy snack of fresh fruit. Children gain an awareness of how to manage their own safe boundaries. The childminder teaches them good safety rules for when out walking and they wear high visibility jackets. Children learn about the role of people who help them in the community, such as police officers

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and outcomes for children

and the crossing attendant. They are also involved in the regular evacuation of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises. 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 1 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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