Childminder in North LincolnshireOfsted inspection, 28 Mar 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 505189 Inspection date 28/03/2012 Inspector Anne Barnsley

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Epworth, South Yorkshire. A large, self-contained playroom is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

p.4

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 six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group on a part-time basis, and also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local parent and toddler group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This is a homely and stimulating environment, where children enjoy a wide range of activities and outings. Most areas of learning are provided for well, and children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Partnerships are firmly established and contribute well to children's welfare, development and learning. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her service and demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities and to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  provide children with more opportunities to support their understanding of the natural world by providing them with a wider range of gardening activities.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are fully safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities for ensuring they are protected. For example, she has completed safeguarding training and ensures that all adults are effectively vetted to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with children. The childminder maintains comprehensive polices and procedures and regularly reviews them. Daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 checks and written risk assessments ensure that potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised indoors, outdoors and on outings. All documentation required to promote the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and supports the childminder's practice.

p.4

the early years provision

Systems for self-evaluation are effective and show clearly how the childminder organises her setting and makes improvements. Since the last inspection, she has made many improvements to the environment such as building a playroom for the children. She has bought new storage units so that children can select their toys and has equipped the playroom with a wide range of new resources. She has completed further training, which has updated her knowledge of safeguarding, record keeping, observation and assessment. She also has clear ideas about future plans for improvement, for example developing her garden further to make interesting places for the children and by undertaking a childcare qualification in order to improve the outcomes for children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusion and works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs. Parents are invited for several introductory meetings with their child, where the childminder shares all relevant policies and procedures with them, and they can see her working with the children. Consequently, they are well informed about the service she provides. Children then spend several more short sessions without a parent to help them settle before contracts are finalised. The daily exchange of information ensures that children's changing needs are well met. Parents are kept up to date with their child's progress as the childminder shares individual learning folders with them regularly. Parents contribute to these with observations they make at home. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with others. She has established effective

p.5

the early years provision

systems for sharing information with other early years providers to ensure continuity of care and education for children and to aid them with their transition. Overall, these positive systems ensure that children make good progress and their welfare needs are consistently met.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and form strong attachments with the childminder. They are settled and show high levels of feeling safe and secure within the setting. They regularly enjoy cuddles from the childminder and play well with each other, showing great kindness and consideration. Children access a wide range of good quality toys and resources, which support their learning and development well, both indoors and outdoors. Their play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. Good use if made of local resources so that children become actively involved in developing an understanding of the local community as they go out for walks and trips to places of interest such as parks, forests, toddler groups and the children's centre. Children's individual needs and interests are fully recognised by the childminder, who knows them very well. She makes regular observations of their interests and

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identifies relevant next steps in their learning. However, she is less successful at planning for their next steps, although she is able to demonstrate this verbally. Children contribute extremely well in this setting. They have a strong voice and their views are actively sought and listened to. Children feel able to ask to do things they like, for example to play outdoors.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have a wide range of books and resources for making marks, which they can access by themselves or share with the childminder. She has good knowledge of how children learn and ensures progress is achieved through activities that children enjoy and in ways that suit each child's preferred learning style. Children learn to count through everyday experiences, such as using number jigsaws, electronic toys, signing and counting with the childminder. Children go on outings in the countryside and forests, where they learn about animals and discuss things that are taking place around them, for example the changes in the seasons and weather. They use sand and water outdoors and have a large flowerpot of stones, which they use to make roads and tracks with on the patio. However, they have less opportunity to participate in growing and gardening activities to develop their understanding of living things, although they do join in with planting hanging

p.6

and outcomes for children

baskets. Children dance and sing to music and enjoy using musical instruments. They have good opportunities to socialise outside the setting and to learn about their community and wider environment.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's develop a good awareness of healthy lifestyles and become responsible for their personal needs. They are supported very well with their personal hygiene routines and are extremely independent. Children all have individual flannels and enjoy washing their hands. The childminder promotes healthy eating in her setting and shares her policy with parents. She gathers all appropriate information about children's dietary requirements, likes and dislikes. Children have access to fresh water at all times. They engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, and they visit dance and movement sessions. The childminder also takes children swimming at the local school, which was suggested by a parent. Children develop a good understanding of safety by learning about road safety and through practising evacuation drills. This includes doing a fire drill with two fire officers, who were invited to the setting. Children follow simple rules, are very well

p.6

and outcomes for children

behaved and are kind and caring towards each other. They have very good relationships with the childminder and are effectively developing skills that they need for their future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8