Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438817 Inspection date 31/05/2012 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 2011. She lives with her mother, who is also her assistant, in a house in Wigston, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden four outdoor play.

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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 no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently, there are five children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder is close to parks and shops and attends local playgroups. She holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 engaged because a variety of good quality resources sustain their involvement. A positive working relationship with parents ensures children's individual needs are well met. All children make generally good progress in their learning, and activities reflect their interests. All required policies and procedures are in place to ensure the childminder's service runs smoothly. Self- evaluation is used well to reflect on practice and to maintain good standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the arrangements in place to further determine children's starting points so their strengths and interests can be built on  develop further systems to share information and offer support for parents to extend their child's learning at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of how to safeguard children and has attended training in this area. A policy is shared with parents which details how concerns are reported to the appropriate authorities. All adults at the home have Criminal Record Bureaus checks in place. Risk assessments ensure children are protected at all times and the childminder encourages children to be mindful of their own well-being. This is achieved as she explains safe practices, such as, how to cross the road and how to keep safe within the home. The childminder has organised her home so children can easily access a varied range of resources which support their play and learning. Free-flow around the home provides many opportunities for children to confidently explore their environment and make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 choices about their activities.

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the early years provision

Parents have easy access to a wide range of policies and procedures which detail how children are cared for. There is also a policy about inclusion which underpins how all children are welcomed into the home and their awareness of the wider world is promoted. Parents are well informed about their children's day through verbal feedback and daily diaries. However, information about progressing children's learning at home is not fully in place, which means opportunities may be missed to help them develop. 'Learning Journeys' are available for parents to view and these contain examples of children's work so they can share in their achievements. The childminder has a sound understanding of working with other practitioners who may deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in the future. She has completed all required training and self-evaluation is used well to identify areas for continuous improvement so that children receive a quality

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the early years provision

service. This means they are cared for by a motivated childminder who is committed to improving her practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses planning effectively to ensure all areas of learning are covered. Time is built into the day to allow children to follow their own interests, and the childminder responds to these. For example, a child reads about a princess and wants to make a crown. This is supported by the childminder so the child knows their views are valued. This also promotes children's choice and independence. Regular observations are linked to the areas of learning and the next steps in progress are identified well. Children's starting points are identified, although these are not yet used as effectively as possible to ensure progress is maximised. Children enjoy physical activities and regularly use the park, which has swings and a climbing frame to provide a range of challenges for their growing skills. They also attend a soft play centre so they have good opportunities to socialise, and outings

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and outcomes for children

also help them learn about the community and their place within it.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators and the childminder responds to a young child's 'babble'. Children's vocabulary is continuously extended throughout activities, which results in them having a good understanding of how to compare and position objects. A comfortable book area is in place and children help to turn pages during stories so they learn that print has meaning. Labelled resources also help them to make choices and gain independence. Many resources support information and communication technology, and children use a laptop and cause and effect toys so they are developing good skills for the future. Warm relationships are in place between the childminder and the children, and they happily involve her and her assistant in their activities. For example, a child wants to play 'hide and seek' and is delighted when they have to find the childminder. A shared activity of building train tracks is also used to ask questions to help children

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted because they are in routines, such as hand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 washing, which support this. Home-cooked meals and healthy snacks also provide children with opportunities to establish good eating habits. They enjoy activities involving food, such as making cakes, during which they weigh and measure. This promotes their problem-solving skills and helps them learn how to work and cooperate with others. Children behave well because the childminder uses simple rules so they know what is expected of them. Consequently, they respond well to gentle reminders to share with each other. The childminder also helps children to understand other cultures as a welcome poster and number cards are in a variety of languages so all children feel included. Overall, children are building a good base from which to make progress for the future.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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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