Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY308885 Inspection date 24/04/2012 Inspector Jane Shaw

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 2005 and lives with her husband and three children aged seven, six and four years in New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has four cats.

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. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children on a part-time basis, of these two children are in the early years age group. The childminder holds a National Nursery Examination Board qualification. She 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

The childminder creates an environment where all children are welcomed and included. The childminder knows each child's individual needs and circumstances, values and respects their individuality, and successfully promotes their care, learning and development. Children are cared for in an inclusive, welcoming and extremely safe environment. Required records and documents, policies and procedures are in place and well maintained, and ensure the safety and welfare of children. Excellent partnerships with parents and carers support children's placements. Overall, positive relationships with other professionals have been established, which support children's care, learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to improve through training and development opportunities and systems of monitoring and self-evaluation.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the observation and assessment system in order to identify and plan for children's next steps  develop further the two-way flow of information where children attend other settings, by regularly sharing development and learning records and any other relevant information. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to be followed in the event of any concerns. The childminder's policies and procedures, routines and practices ensure children are well protected. Detailed safeguarding policies and procedures are in place which are regularly reviewed. These are shared with parents and carers ensuring that they are fully aware of her role in protecting their children from harm.

p.5

the early years provision

A thorough daily safety check of all areas used by children is completed prior to their arrival. Premises are fully secure, and the use of appropriate safety equipment promotes children's excellent safety and welfare at all times. Comprehensive risk assessments, for the premises and outings, are completed and reviewed on a regular basis. Regular fire drills ensure children's prompt responses. Children are developing an understanding of their own safety through discussion and explanations from the childminder. Required records and documentation are well maintained in order to ensure the safe and efficient management of the service.

p.5

the early years provision

An excellent range of resources are extremely well organised in order to enable children to make independent choices. Age-appropriate resources are accessible to all children. An excellent range of resources and activities both indoor, outdoor, and away from the childminding setting are effective in providing children with an environment which is conducive to their good learning and development. The childminder creates an inclusive environment where all children have equal access to the activities, opportunities, resources and experiences available. The sensory garden provides children with an exciting range of activities and opportunities.

p.5

the early years provision

The successful completion of recommendations raised at the last inspection, the childminder's systems for self-evaluation and reflection, and access to training and development demonstrate the childminder's good commitment to continuous improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents and carers have been established and are extremely successful in promoting children's welfare. Parents have access to information about the setting, regular newsletters, and information on the Early Years Foundation Stage and what this means in terms of their child's care and development. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to supporting the family as a whole. Parents and carers have been asked to give their views through questionnaires, and all responses received show their complete satisfaction with the service and care their children receive. They are given daily verbal and written feedback, and where applicable, have access to their child's developmental record at all times. They are invited to contribute to the updating of policies and procedures. The childminder has an 'open door' policy for all parents and carers to visit when they like to discuss their child's placement or make observations. The

p.5

the early years provision

childminder is developing beneficial relationships for liaising with other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 professionals and early years providers. However, these have not yet been fully explored for children attending other day care settings.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows each child's individual needs and abilities; as a result, children are content, settled and happy. Warm and beneficial relationships with the children are evident. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She has attended schema training, which assists her in identifying children's individual learning styles. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Planning is informal and flexible, and based around children's interests and the childminder's observations of development. There is some topic planning, which tends to be around particular times of the year, for example a topic on Spring. Focused and spontaneous observations of children's development are completed and matched to the areas of learning. The childminder's system for recording progress and achievements enables her to track their progress across the six areas of learning in order to ensure a balanced programme of activities and opportunities. Each child has a developmental file, containing observations linked to the areas of learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content; they arrive happy and separate from carers with minimal support required. They independently select resources from the broad range available both indoors and outdoors. An excellent sensory garden is near completion, which is intended to further enhance children's learning and development. Children's good behaviour is promoted through praise and reward. The childminder encourages them to share and take turns with resources, and to develop an understanding of others. Children show concentration and perseverance at activities. A variety of opportunities to make marks are available, and early language skills are developing well; for example, as the childminder engages in conversation, she extends children's thinking and language. Children have independent access to a wide variety of age-appropriate books and visit the local library regularly.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are able to match and sort using a variety of resources. The childminder uses mathematical language as she talks with children, and they enjoy various activities to promote their understanding of number, for example as they count the number of footsteps when walking and identify numbers in their environment. Children have excellent opportunities for outdoor play. For example, they are active in the rear and side gardens as they play games on the safe surface, and have regular walks in the local environment and trips further afield. Children develop their dexterity; for example, younger children push buttons and pull levers, and older children build and enjoy craft activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

A variety of craft activities develop their imaginative and creative abilities, and babies and younger children have access to sensory materials. Children have an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of their own environment and the wider world, as they celebrate festivals, such as Chinese New Year, St George's Day and consider others through themes and discussion. Children grow fruit and vegetables, learning how to care for and nurture growing things.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of healthy lifestyles through routines and practices, for example regular opportunities for outdoor play and walks. They learn about keeping themselves healthy through eating and learning about appropriate foods, having access to drinking water, and the importance of good hygiene routines. Children's behaviour is good and is promoted through clear role modelling and a positive behaviour-management policy. Access to different activities, opportunities and resources supports children's skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 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.8

Stage

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

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9