Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356857 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Beverly A Kemp-Russell

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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 6 and 15 years in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in home-based childcare.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local amenities and attends local groups.

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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 has established excellent relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are well met. She provides a good range of interesting and challenging learning opportunities for each child and this enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. Good methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are in place. However, robust systems to ensure parents have full opportunities to contribute to these records are not fully developed. The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop more robust systems to encourage parents to contribute to the record of their child's progress towards the early learning goals  develop more robust systems for monitoring and evaluating the early years provision in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is clear about her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary. She has completed safeguarding training to ensure children are kept safe from harm. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes, or to the suitability of adults living This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the premises. Most of the required documentation is in place. Risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised, and daily record checks are undertaken to ensure children's safety. Regular emergency evacuation drills are carried out and the details are adequately recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. The childminder supervises children carefully and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. She supports children in taking acceptable risks,

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the early years provision

allowing them to try things for themselves in a safe and secure environment, and teaches them about safety when playing outside.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes inclusion appropriately as she makes sure the activities on offer suitably meet children's individual needs. Resources are organised so that children can select the toys they wish to play with, and these are checked regularly to ensure they are safe. The childminder is beginning to identify strengths and areas which require development within the self-evaluation form, but has yet to fully develop effective systems for monitoring and evaluating the early years provision in order to ensure continuous improvement is maintained.

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the early years provision

Written policies and procedures are presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. Information is shared verbally each day with parents so that they know what their child's has been doing. The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs, and can provide a consistency of care. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home, and this ensures a smooth transition between home and the setting. She has developed good links with other providers, such as the local school and pre-school, and works closely with other childminders, enabling them all to work together to support the learning of children whose care is shared.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide an interesting range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. She organises her service to ensure that children receive individual attention appropriate to their needs. Informal planning is in place and is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on and extend children's interests. The childminder observes children at play and is developing a record of children's progress so the information gained from her observations can be used to identify the next steps in each child's learning by using observation and assessment forms. However, parents do not fully contribute to the record of their child's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators and the childminder encourages their language skills through effective interaction. She uses thorough questioning techniques to encourage thought and conversation, and children join in and contribute well. They have lots of opportunities for mark making and give meaning to their marks, and they have opportunities to use a range of media when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 engaging in creative activities, such as, painting, flour and chalking. Children learn about nature as they plant sunflowers in pots and water them to help them grow. They also enjoy using the trampoline, ball games and playing with bubbles in the garden. Children's emotional development is promoted as they develop secure, trusting relationships with each other and the childminder. She is sensitive to their needs, taking their individual personalities into account as she joins in their play

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their early literacy skills because the childminder ensures they have lots of good quality experiences to promote these skills. For example, they have access to a good range of books which they enjoy, especially during storytelling sessions. This helps to foster children's enjoyment of books and they understand that print carries meaning. Children learn about number and colour through activities, such as puzzles and construction toys. They gain awareness of weight and measurement through cooking activities as they weigh ingredients when making cakes or gingerbread men. These activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning. Children demonstrate an awareness of their own cultures when celebrating Christmas and Easter and have some opportunities to begin to learn about other cultures and beliefs when celebrating Chinese New Year. They enjoy time at play and stay sessions, which give them opportunities to socialise

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and outcomes for children

and develop relationships within their own community. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, content and very settled with the childminder. They have free and safe access to a good range of resources in the home. The childminder provides good quality care and ensures that clear routines are followed after liaising with the parents to ensure consistency of care. She interacts well with young children by providing emotional support through play. Children behave well because the childminder is a good role model and has clear boundaries to help them understand about responsible behaviour. She uses clear instructions and gentle reminders which help them to learn about sharing resources and taking turns. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, as well as ensuring that all children have independent access to drinks. 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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