Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438798 Inspection date 27/06/2012 Inspector Catherine Sharkey

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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 partner and two children aged five and three years in Blaby, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms are used for childminding. There are further bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She operates from 8am to 6pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 3pm on Fridays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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. The childminder offers care to children over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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's individual needs are met, as a result of the childminder's observations, which informs her planning. They are very safe in her care as she implements detailed policies and practice in safeguarding and child protection issues. There is a very good partnership with parents and carers through which they are fully involved in their children's learning. The childminder evaluates her provision well. She is committed to extending her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage through further training and professional development.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance practice through ongoing professional development.

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the early years provision

Children are very well safeguarded while in the childminder's care. The garden is safely enclosed and the house is secure. Effective procedures are in place, which ensures that children are well protected both on the premises and on outings. The childminder supervises children carefully at all times and effective risk assessments minimise potential hazards. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly and children are taught to keep themselves safe in various situations, such as crossing the road.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses an interesting range of good quality resources to promote the early learning goals effectively. These are suitably challenging and accessible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for all children as they are stored at low-levels, which allows even the youngest children to select their own toys. Each area of the house and garden is well organised to provide children with quiet time, messy play or activities needing more space. This means that children are engaged in their learning and make good progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her provision through her observations and evaluation of children's activities, which also enables her to meet the individual needs of all children. She fills in a self-evaluation form and identifies areas for improvement. She attends training courses and is very well motivated and keen to further extend her knowledge and professional development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder liaises with other local providers and the local authority, which means that she is able to monitor her provision effectively.

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the early years provision

There is a very good partnership with parents and carers. The childminder provides them with comprehensive information on her policies and practice and finds out about each child's needs, so that she is able to provide continuity of care. Parents are invited to comment on provision and a diary is shared between home and the childminder, so that children's progress and needs are communicated. Parents are fully involved in their children's learning through contributing to their 'learning journeys' and sometimes continuing activities with them at home. The childminder has forged good links with children's other settings. This means that their learning is complemented and transition takes place smoothly.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans activities that meet the needs of all children. She uses observations and evaluations to plan their next steps, which means that they are able to build on their learning and make good progress. She develops their language and vocabulary very well through her interaction during activities. For example, she asks a young child what the jelly feels like and encourages her to use plastic spoons and her fingers to explore it. Children also explore sand, water, mud, play dough and a good range of creative activities. This encourages them to experiment and be imaginative. They have many opportunities to explore nature and the world around them on their visits to the parks, woods and farm. Children are developing their reading, writing and mathematical skills well in everyday activities, such as matching colours of toy cars and counting them. They learn about changes in materials through baking and grow their own tomatoes in the

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and outcomes for children

garden. This gives them first-hand knowledge of caring for living things and prompts discussion on healthy food. Children enjoy a range of creative activities, such as dressing-up and role play and they make good use of a wide range of books to enhance their learning. The childminder develops children's physical skills well through the use of the large equipment at the park or in the garden. Children use computers and many push button toys to develop their technological skills well.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe in the childminder's home as they are settled and calm in the homely, family atmosphere. A very young child enjoys some quiet time This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the childminder's lap and laughs and gurgles with delight when exploring jelly and strawberries. The children indicate the things, which they need with confidence and explores all the space in the room. The childminder finds out from parents about ways in which children are comforted if they are upset and helps them to feel secure by using the same methods.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with healthy meals, snacks and fresh drinking water throughout the day. They learn about making healthy choices in their food and have fresh air and exercise each day in the garden or on outings around the local area. Children wash and dry their hands hygienically at appropriate times and have their own flannels. Effective policies and practice minimise the spread of infection and children's well-being is given high priority.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes good relationships and sharing between all the children. They behave very well and follow her good examples and clear boundaries. Children are given confidence through praise for their achievements and are encouraged to overcome their difficulties. For example, a child nervous of animals is given support and care, in order to enjoy a visit to the farm. Children are learning to be independent in choosing their activities and resources. Older children help to prepare food and set the table. They are proud of their work and enjoy taking home the cakes that they have baked. Children learn about other cultures and festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Easter and Ramadan through books, dressing-up, food tasting and art work. For example, children tried some Indian sweets brought in by a parent. This means that they are learning about cultural similarities and differences in the world around them.

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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 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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