Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 205791 Inspection date 29/03/2012 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 1992. She lives with her husband and daughter near Scunthorpe town centre, close to schools, shops and a park. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with the addition of the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is included on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for 10 children in total, five of whom are in the early years age group and of whom two attend school full time. One early years child attends full time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly walks to local schools and parks. She offers day care for the local authority social services department.

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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 a very good knowledge of each child and uses this very effectively to meet their individual needs. All children are making excellent progress given their starting points, ages and abilities. The childminder has very good relationships with parents although she has not yet developed her self- evaluation procedure to formally include their views of her setting. She has very good partnerships with the local school, nurseries and other agencies from whom she obtains support for childrn with additional needs. The childminder has a simple self-evaluation procedure in place and obtains the views of children regularly, using them to adapt her practice to meet their needs.

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further?

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

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further?

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

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the early years provision

Children's safety is of the highest priority. The childminder has a very good understanding of safeguarding, having completed training in the past to ensure her knowledge is up to date. She makes parents aware of her responsibilities for their children's welfare and has the referral procedure readily available. She completes regularly reviewed risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe and suitable for all the children who attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The premises are secure and only authorised persons have access to the children.

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the early years provision

Clear policies and procedures are in place, which are regularly reviewed and updated in line with legislation and the required changes. The childminder ensures parents are aware of the policies and procedures she uses to manage her setting safely and efficiently. All the necessary information and recording is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the children such as accident and medication records and permission to seek medical help or treatment in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children have easy access to resources and equipment. She has developed a basket storage system for some resources and everything is labelled. Larger boxes are also clearly labelled. A catalogue of photographs is also used by the children to identify resources they would like. The garden is used as an additional play space, with displays of insects and animals such as the frog life cycle on the fence.

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the early years provision

A simple self-evaluation procedure is in place and the childminder regularly consults the children, and some fill in questionnaires about their likes and dislikes. She does not, however, formally ask for or use the views of theirher parents to evaluate her practice. She has identified areas of strength and has devised a plan of action to further improve the care she provides.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are very good. Some of the parents and carers she has known for many years. The childminder is keen to keep parents informed about the care she provides and completes a daily diary for younger children. She also gives information about the Early Years Foundation Stage and the areas of learning in the children's development files. Parents are asked for ideas to support their children while in her care such as the child who had an interest in castles who could then go on and make models.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built good partnerships with the local school, nurseries and preschool. She ensures any concerns are addressed and achievements celebrated. Some children do their homework while in her care and she encourages them to read and complete their allocated tasks. The childminder has experience of caring for children with additional needs and has good relationships with other agencies whose support she may need.

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the early years provision

All children are welcome and included exceptionally well in the setting. The childminder has experience of caring for children with additional needs and ensures all children are treated with respect and equal concern. An excellent range of resources is available to give positive images of those often discriminated against and the children celebrate festivals to raise awareness of other cultures. Older children treat younger ones with consideration and support them in the activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children are making excellent progress given their starting points, ages and abilities. Activities are carefully planned to suit the individual needs of the children, but flexible to take account of unexpected learning opportunities such as snowfall. The children investigate the snow, build snowmen, and compare the texture with different materials such as feathers. They also comment on the temperature and that they need gloves to keep their hands warm. All the activity is recorded as observations or photographs.

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and outcomes for children

Each child has a comprehensive learning journey which shows their excellent progress through observations, photographs and samples of work. One child has a story in photographs of baking buns, from the measuring, mixing and baking to icing and eating them. The activity promotes all areas of learning, and the evidence identifies the achievement and progress being made as well as identifying the next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the natural world in a practical way by growing vegetables and fruit in the garden. They plant potatoes, beans, peas, peppers, raspberries and tomatoes then create a diary of the care they provide. This includes the date of planting, watering, checking for shoots and then carries on to the harvesting of the produce. They therefore have an excellent understanding of how plants and seeds grow, and are keen to care for them successfully. The diaries are completed by two children, an older one who can write the detail and a younger one who can draw and colour. This very effectively promotes working together and consideration of others. There is also a selection of photographs showing the process and how their plants really flourish. They have excellent harvests from their crops. One child is very fond of the raspberries and visits the canes as soon as they come home from school to pick the fruit when they are

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and outcomes for children

The children are very sociable, confident and settled with the childminder. They co-operate and take turns and show consideration for each other. The younger children are able to share and play happily together with pushchairs in the garden. They show no concern when visitors arrive, and know they are safe with her. The children learn to use resources with care, and to cross roads safely when out in the community. They also practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly and know where to stand in the event of a fire. The children behave extremely well and all understand the house rules, which ensures the younger children have an exceptionally strong sense of security. They have good manners and make their views and wishes known even if they have little language due to their age and development.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene practice is part of the staying healthy policy of the setting, with children learning about germs which can make them ill. They wash their hands after personal care, using paper towels to prevent cross infections, before food and after playing or working in the garden. Children have packed lunches from home but select their own fruit or vegetables for snack from the illustrations in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 kitchen. They know they need to eat a healthy diet to stay fit and well. The childminder gives advice on packed lunches if parents request it. Children also have fresh air each day, playing in the garden, using the park or on walks in the community to and from school. The younger children ask to go out and move around confidently and safely.

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and outcomes for children

All the children thoroughly enjoy stories. They are aware that print carries meaning and the excellent range of books available ensures their continuing excitement and enthusiasm. Resources and posters show words and the childminder helps them identify different things such as fruits, shapes and insects. The story sacks contain books and games to reinforce their language skills, and can be used at home with their parents. All these aspects result in excellent communication skills and enable children to take an active role in their learning. 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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