Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY289382 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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 2004. She lives with her husband in North Hykeham, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. All areas of the ground floor property are used for childminding and the home is accessible by one step. There is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 supported and their individual needs met as the childminder works in partnership with parents and carers. However, partnership working in the wider context has yet to be fully developed. Children enjoy and achieve as they have fun participating in a good range of activities. Mainly appropriate policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children and promote their welfare. Although the childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection, she has yet to develop a robust system of self-evaluation to ensure clear targets for further development are identified in all areas.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 1st May 2012 (Suitable people). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 01/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the risk assessment to include everything a child may come into contact, including outings  develop a culture of reflective practice through self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  ensure relevant information is shared with other providers where the care of children is shared, to promote effective continuity and progression for these children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming home where all children are valued and respected. She organises her space and resources well to meet children's individual needs, with children freely accessing a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources in the designated play room. The outdoor environment is also regularly used to provide children with further activities and experiences to promote their development. Children's safety is protected through the childminder's mainly good practices and procedures. For example, the childminder risk assesses her home, garden and outings to ensure children are protected at all times. However, the record of risk assessment does not include information about these outings checks to fully ensure children's safety is not compromised. The childminder has a child protection policy and a range of leaflets and additional information about safeguarding children. Her awareness of

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the early years provision

these procedures is satisfactory, which helps to protect children from potential harm. After the last inspection the childminder completed a first aid course, however, this certificate has now lapsed. This results in the childminder not fully meeting all requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, because she is booked on a course in the near future and because she has retained a suitable knowledge of first aid procedures, the potential risk to children's well- being is reduced.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains a mainly suitable range of policies, documents and records, using them appropriately to protect children's health and safety. For example, by implementing her equal opportunities policy the childminder promotes the inclusion of all children and ensures any form of discrimination is challenged. Children's individual needs are effectively met as the childminder works in partnership with parents and carers. Good communication channels are established to ensure information is continually shared and exchanged for the benefit of the child. All records and documents maintained by the childminder on individual children are shared with parents. This helps to keep them well informed of their children's care, learning and development. However, the childminder has yet to develop links with other providers where the care of children is shared, to fully ensure an integrated approach to their care and learning is promoted. The

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the early years provision

childminder's current process of self-evaluation is not fully embedded in practice to ensure all areas are monitored. This results in the childminder not effectively identifying all areas requiring further development, to ensure continuous improvements are made.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They have lots of fun in the well-organised environment as they freely initiate their play. Activities are planned and provided for children around their interests, with the childminder taking the lead from the child. As soon as children begin to show signs that they are not engaged in active play, the childminder skilfully redirects them to new This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences. This ensures children remain occupied and stimulated as they participate in a wide range of hands-on learning experiences. Activities are differentiated to ensure the inclusion of all children, and observation and assessment systems are used to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. This all helps to ensure each child achieves to their full potential. Children enjoy sitting and listening to stories. The childminder skilfully creates

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and outcomes for children

further learning experiences for children as she discusses things from the story which they will search for when they go out for a walk. This creates lots of excited discussion with the children as they recall what items they will need to be on the look out for. Children also show a good use of imagination when doing colouring, they decide to make a spy glass by rolling up their paper. They then look through their spy glass and exclaim that they have seen a real bear. The activity continues as the childminder plays along with the child, expressing that she can see the bear too. Children's interest and use of information and communication technology is promoted as they use a range of electronic and battery operated toys and resources. Posters showing numbers, shapes and colours are displayed around the room, creating a visually stimulating environment. Children's mathematical awareness is promoted as the childminder often refers to these posters during the

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and outcomes for children

course of a typical day. For example, as the childminder points to the numbers on the poster, a child independently counts on from 10 up to 20.

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and outcomes for children

A suitable range of policies and procedures are in place to keep children healthy and safe whilst they are in the childminder's care. For example, the home is clean and well maintained and a relevant medication and illness policy helps to minimise the spread of infection. Children display good hygiene practices as they place their hand in front of their mouth when coughing. They benefit from the provision of healthy meals and snacks which their parents provide from home and their awareness of healthy eating is promoted when they help to plant and grow a range of fruits and vegetables in the garden. Fire evacuation procedures are regularly practised with all children, which promotes their awareness of how to evacuate the home quickly and safely. Clear safety precautions are taken on outings to ensure the protection of children is maintained. Road safety awareness is promoted with children during these outings, with older children confidently

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and outcomes for children

explaining how to safely cross the road. Children's good behaviour is promoted through the constant reinforcement of positive discipline, which promotes children's self-esteem. They are encouraged to develop good social skills as they begin to play co-operatively with their peers. Children's awareness of difference and diversity is promoted through their play and through the childminder acting as a positive role model. 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 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 01/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 01/05/2012

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