Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY319726 Inspection date 21/05/2012 Inspector Janice Hughes

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and child aged 13 years, in Thurnby, Leicester. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home and bathroom and rear bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed and secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children when working independently and ten children when working alongside her co-minder. There are currently 21 children on roll, of whom nine are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, and holds a level 3 childcare qualification. The family have a pet cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent knowledge of their individual needs. She offers children an extremely welcoming home environment in which all children feel exceedingly safe and secure. Children receive individual attention and the childminder recognises their unique abilities and stages of development. Each child's needs are exceptionally well met through highly effective partnerships between the childminder, their parents and other providers. She is very self- motivated and demonstrates an excellent positive attitude to improvements, such as developing her excellent partnership with parents in order to further improve the high outcomes their children achieve.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to develop the involvement of parents in order to further improve the high continuity of care and outcomes of their children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children in her care. She regularly updates her knowledge with regard to safeguarding children through training and this ensures she understands current legislation. She ensures rigorous and effective risk assessments are in place for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 both indoors and outdoors. A robust written emergency and accident policy ensures that children are suitably cared for in the event of an emergency. Emergency evacuation plans are in place and regularly practised with children, as a consequence, children learn about keeping themselves safe.

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the early years provision

High levels of organisation ensure children have very positive experiences in a secure stimulating and inclusive environment. The childminder demonstrates a very good awareness of equality and diversity. A wealth of resources are accessible and available for all children to experience and include a wide range including positive images of diversity and disability. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion and has systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She liaises closely with parents and is happy to follow any specific advice or plans suggested by other professionals.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely proactive in ensuring her knowledge regarding children's learning and development. She has attended courses including 'An Introduction to Observation, Assessment and Planning' and 'Multi-Sensory Learning'. She has also completed her level three childcare qualification. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has completed her self-assessment comprehensively and effectively. This has helped her to develop her strengths and identify any areas for improvement. She has extremely effective written policies and procedures in place; for example, the safe collection of children, lost children and safety in general. She works closely with a number of local childminders in order to provide children with a greater range of activities and to enable her to share good practice with other like-minded professionals.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are very strong, as the childminder values their contributions and keeps them very well informed about all aspects of their child's development and achievements. During introductory visits, the childminder uses both discussion with parents and observations to help her assess a child's 'starting points'. Parents receive detailed information at the onset of a placement; which include the childminder's policies and procedures and details about her service. She shares information with parents on a daily basis, both verbally and in children's daily diaries, as well as using her parent notice board; these all contribute to involving the parents in the care of their children. Children's development folders are shared with parents and these include children's work, photographs and observations. Parents are involved in their children's learning, but in order to further improve the high outcomes for them the childminder has begun

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the early years provision

to extend parents involvement in their children's play activities. She strives to provide an excellent two-way partnership where parents contribute their opinions and ideas effectively. Enthusiastic links have been made with services and other providers used by the minded children. The childminder works closely with pre- school staff and local school to ensure she is aware of topics being followed, she also provides summaries of the children's learning and has verbal conversations with key workers and teachers. This enables continuity of learning and care for the children she minds. She has in place excellent transition procedures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has impressive systems in place to ensure all children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. She has extremely detailed observation and assessment records in place, which are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. These are used effectively to record and monitor children's development and to identify their next steps of learning. She plans and adapts activities according to children's individual needs, and to ensure each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Comprehensive written plans are in place, which are flexible in order to allow the childminder the opportunity to respond to children's interests. This ensures each child is happy, challenged and engaged in their learning and play. Independence is promoted as children are encouraged to make their own choices from the extensive range of toys and resources available. There is also an excellent balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities.

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and outcomes for children

For example, the childminder observes children enthusiastically making dens using material and pegs. She extends their interest by planning experiences to investigate the inside of the den where children chalk patterns and fetch cushions to make their den more comfortable.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in their social skills. They build their confidence as they have regular opportunities to attend local play and stay session. They participate in outdoor activities on a daily basis, including visits to the local park, as well as physical activities, such as soft play and dancing. Excellent resources are provided to help children learn about the wider world, including books, posters, dressing up clothes and small world characters. Children have the opportunity to celebrate a wide variety of cultural and religious festivals and events. These include making candle light holders and participating in a party to celebrate the festival of Diwali. Good health and well-being are promoted extremely well. Children have great opportunities to learn about healthy eating. They are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks, as well as having the opportunity to help the childminder grow vegetables in the garden. Children have very good knowledge of

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and outcomes for children

safety while in the childminder's home and whilst out and about with her. She talks to them about safety while walking to school and nursery and they practise road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved; they have very good manners and respond positively to the childminder's boundaries. She knows the minded children very well and ensures methods used for behaviour management are appropriate to each child's age and understanding. Children are happy to help with tidying up and through the positive role modelling provided by the childminder, younger children are learning to take turns and share. They respond very positively to the praise and encouragement they are given throughout the day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is highly successful in enabling children to develop skills that will support them in the future. Children develop excellent early language to communicate with the childminder and each other and to solve problems as these arise in their play. They learn how to draw and make-marks in their play and become absorbed in sharing books and stories. Children's awareness of numeracy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is challenged by the childminder when the children play with the construction bricks. Children, count the bricks, match the colours and use mathematical language as their towers grow taller and taller. The childminder draws notice to numbers, patterns and shapes and encourages children to count when using a delightful selection of number games. The childminder encourages children to use information and communication technology; including laptops, push-button toys,

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and outcomes for children

shopping tills and play telephones. These all provide valuable skills for future 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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