Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY232164 Inspection date 20/03/2012 Inspector Rosemary Beyer

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and one adult child in the town of Grimsby, close to the seafront. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding plus the first floor bathroom. There is a fenced garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and the beach.

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Description of the childminding

The family has a dog, two rabbits, two snakes, several lizards and some fish as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, four of whom are in the early years age group all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge of all the children and their welfare and development needs. This ensures they are making good progress taking account of their starting points, ages and abilities. All children are welcome in the setting and inclusive practice is a clear strength. The childminder works very well with parents and carers, and has good relationships with outside agencies to support the children and their families. The self-evaluation process is not yet sufficiently robust to ensure parents' and children's views are used to plan for future improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation process further to include parents' and children's views to ensure the provision meets the needs of all its users.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is of the highest priority. The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge of safeguarding, having undertaken training to ensure this is up to date. They make parents aware of their responsibilities to raise any concerns and have the procedure for referral readily available. They are also very safety conscious, with risk assessments in place for all aspects of the premises and outings within the community. These are regularly reviewed and updated. Safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 checks are completed each day before children arrive and equipment is available to keep them safe when off the premises.

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures are in place which ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. These are also regularly reviewed and made available to parents with translators used for parents who have English as an additional language to ensure they understand how the childminders care for children and protect their well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good range of resources which children can use and which give opportunities to cover all the areas of learning. They can access them from boxes and shelves and ask for other items they wish to use not immediately available. The childminder and her assistant ensure children are well supervised at all times to prevent accidents and support their learning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and other carers are good, ensuring any achievements are celebrated and any concerns raised so additional needs can be addressed if necessary. Parents sign to acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the childminder's policies and procedures which ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. Translation is available for those with English as an additional language to aid their understanding. The childminders are also careful to include parents and carers in planning for all children, with individual plans to enable them to develop their potential fully, whatever their starting points, ages or abilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with outside agencies and make effective use of any advice or guidance they provide to support children with additional needs. Their experience of childcare enables them to address welfare and learning needs of all children.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder discusses her practice with the parents on an informal basis and uses questionnaires to gauge their satisfaction, she does not use their views to plan for future improvement at this stage. Nor does she use the children's views. They draw pictures of what they would like to do and also what they have liked in particular. Each week they sit together and discuss the next week's activities and any concerns they may have. She is keen to improve her practice but works long hours to meet the needs of parents as they often work evening shifts. The childminder and her assistant are currently doing food safety training to ensure the environment and food handling techniques are safe.

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and outcomes for children

The children's development is effectively monitored and assessed. Individual files show them enjoying a wide range of learning activities and making good progress. The children are settled and comfortable with the childminder, showing they feel safe by their confidence when visitors arrive. They are able to communicate their needs even if they have little language and those with English as an additional This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 language are settled and happy.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the natural world on a day to day basis as the childminder has a range of exotic creatures which fascinate the children. They like to watch them being fed. They also enjoy playing with the rabbits in the garden. The children are sowing seeds and plants in their own pots to decorate the garden and also visit the childminding assistant's garden to watch vegetables grow. They learn about the needs of plants and animals to maintain good health.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted through the celebration of festivals, with craft activities and food to raise their awareness of the events. The environment is very inclusive with books, activities and resources all helping to promote diversity and provide positive images of those often discriminated against. All children are welcome and the childminder happily supports children with English as an additional language. The children are all becoming good communicators, enjoy books and stories and make their views known.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn to look after themselves and keep safe, by using toys and resources with care, implementing good road safety practice and developing a good understanding of the emergency evacuation procedure. The childminder uses safety equipment such as reins and straps when out in the community to prevent accidents.

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and outcomes for children

Good health is promoted well by providing children with daily fresh air and exercise, either in the garden or the local parks. Their physical development is supported by the use of large equipment in the park and garden and their fine motor skills by a range of activities within the home. They learn about good hygiene practice and know they must wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. Children also learn about the benefits of a healthy diet to stay fit and well. Parents provide their food, but the childminder is aware of any allergies or special dietary requirements. 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 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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