Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273972 Inspection date 24/04/2012 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 2003. She lives with her three adult children and one child aged nine years old, in South Wigston, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and three cats as pets.

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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, three may be in the early years age group and of whom, one may be under one year old. She is currently caring for 19 children, of whom four are within the early years age range. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school. She holds a recognised early years qualification at level 5 and 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

Children are happy and settled and have formed positive relationships with the childminder and her family. They have access to a variety of age-appropriate toys and resources, which help them to make good progress in their learning and development. Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder develops with parents and other early years practitioners. This ensures that their individual needs are met. Documentation is organised well and stored appropriately to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. However, current systems for recording children's attendance, records of risk assessment with regards to outings and observation and assessment are not fully effective; although, the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of attendance includes children's full names (Documentation). 09/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments, in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further the record of risk assessment to include all outings.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder is fully aware of the procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child. She shares the written child protection policy with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. Children's freedom of choice is effectively supported because resources are organised well to ensure that they are able to make independent choices. The childminder carries out daily checks on her home to ensure any potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised. However, the record does not include outings undertaken with the children to ensure their safety is fully protected.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly attends training to support her knowledge and skills. For example, she has attended first aid training and workshops on specific subjects, such as, observation and assessment and food hygiene. She also holds a Higher National Certificate at Level 5 for working with children and their families. The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help identify her strengths and areas for improvement. She shows a strong capacity for improvement and as consequence, has met the actions and recommendations, which were raised at the last inspection. This results in improved outcomes for children. The childminder helps children to value each other and provides a range of resources, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural difference.

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the early years provision

The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families. There are clear systems in place to gather information from parents and carers regarding children's individual needs from the onset. Parents are provided with a variety of policies and procedures, covering all aspects of the childminding service. The daily communication book ensures that they are fully informed of their children's activities and care routine. The childminder is methodical in her approach to paper work and as result, children's records and documentation is effectively organised and stored appropriately to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. However, the children's full names are not recorded on the attendance record to ensure that their safety is fully protected. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. She has formed effective links with the local

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the early years provision

school and other early years practitioners to ensure that the children's individual needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and the childminder's knowledge of each child's personal preferences ensures that their individual needs and routines are effectively met. The childminder's flexible planning develops through the interests This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and play preferences of children and ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities. The childminder observes children as they play and records what they can do. However, the information gained from the observations is not sufficiently used to ensure children make progress towards their next step in their learning and development. The childminder aims to ensure that children always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. She ensures that children understand the need to share and how being kind to each other prevents them from being hurt. She is sensitive to

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and outcomes for children

their feelings and skilfully turns negative situations into positive experiences with kindness and explanation.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder. They are particularly keen on role play and enjoy making dens and hiding away from the childminder. They express delight and fascination when playing with a box game and watch with intense concentration as they wait for the chef to become unbalanced and drop the pizza, as they place various items on top of it. Children have access to a variety of books to help develop their early reading skills and thoroughly enjoy listening to familiar stories. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to develop their creative skills. For example, they enjoy making flags and painting red crosses on them for St George's day. They use a variety of programmable and electronic toys to help increase their understanding of how things work and have been involved in planting and nurturing spring bulbs in the garden. A wide range of resources are

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and outcomes for children

easily on hand to help promote counting and simple problem solving skills, such as puzzles and construction sets. Children also benefit from a variety of activities outside the childminder's home. They frequently go for walks around the local community, visit the park and on occasions take a picnic.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe on outings because the childminder teaches them how to cross the road safety. Through effective daily routines children become aware of good hygiene practices. They know when to wash their hands and the use of wipes ensure that the risk of cross-contamination is reduced. Children are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks and drinks are readily available to ensure that they remain hydrated. Children's individual dietary needs are established on admission and are fully supported by the childminder. There are regular opportunities for quiet times throughout the day and children sleep and rest according to their own needs and routines. Good use is made of the garden, so that children can explore freely and develop their physical play. For example, they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment, which help to foster their good health. 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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