Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432450 Inspection date 06/07/2012 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 in a house in Leicester with her husband and two adult children. Children have access to all of the home and an enclosed garden. The childminder works with an assistant. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory ad voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children; of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to older children and takes and collects children from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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

The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs which means they are happy and secure in her care. There are good partnerships with parents in place which means she can respond quickly to children's changing needs. Overall, all children make good progress in their learning and development and this is supported by a wide range of resources. All required policies and procedures are in place and underpin the childminder's practice. The childminder is well motivated to improve her service and uses self-evaluation to reflect on this.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements in place to further determine children's starting points so their strengths and interests can be built on.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection procedures and has attended training in this area. This means she can respond promptly to any concerns and report these to the appropriate authorities. All adults at the home have been checked and children are never left with people who have not been cleared, this promotes their safety well.

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the early years provision

The childminder has organised her home effectively to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment where lots of displays of children's work make them feel valued. A wide range of resources are easily accessible and children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 independence is well promoted as they make choices of these. Risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and trips and children are encouraged to think about managing their own safety. For example, a child explains what to do in the event of a fire. On trips children learn about road safety and 'stranger danger' and they wear badges which have details about how to contact the childminder. This further enhances measures in place to protect them.

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the early years provision

A wide range of policies and procedures are shared with parents and a diary keeps them informed about what has happened during the day. A website and notice board also offer additional information to parents so they are clear how their children are cared for. All relevant information is taken about all children's home cultures to ensure they receive an appropriate and individual service. The childminder also understands the importance of working with other practitioners who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children if required.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice well and has reflected on areas for development which will improve outcomes for children. This commitment to progression means children are cared for by an enthusiastic and motivated childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good awareness of children's interests which means she can plan activities which engage them. For example, a child's interest in music is promoted because she ensures he has access to a guitar. Children's 'Learning Journeys' contain observations, photographs and examples of their work and these are sent home to parents so they can add comments and share in their children's achievements. Observations are used effectively to highlight where children are developmentally, and from these the next steps in their learning are planned. However, starting points are not linked to the areas of learning which means children's progress may not be as effective as possible.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to initiate their own play and a child happily uses an interactive book which sings nursery rhymes. The child sings along and completes all the actions which demonstrates his familiarity with information and communication technology. Children's developing language skills are well supported as the childminder responds to young children's 'babble' and engages older children in conversations. This also helps promote creativity as a child evolves his own story line about being a fireman. The childminder also supports children's home languages by using songs so they feel included.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being with the childminder and they have lots of opportunities to socialise with others as they go to play groups, farms and the library. Local parks are also used which provide physical challenges for children as they use equipment, such as, swings and a climbing frame.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of her home to provide children with the freedom This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to explore their surroundings. Free-flow is promoted and children can easily access the garden from the well-resourced play room. Children experience may activities outside and a particular favourite is walking in paint and making footprints on paper. This encourages children to work together which builds good skills for future development.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well because the childminder uses simple rules so they know what is expected of them. These are also displayed pictorially so young children can begin to develop good habits for the future. The childminder helps children to respect others as she acknowledges a range of festivals and provides fun activities for children, such as, making masks and tasting noodles during Chinese New Year. Following from this children coloured the noodles and used them to create pictures which promotes their imagination well.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about being healthy because the childminder explains to them about routines, such as, hand washing, and why this is important. They have also grown cress to put into sandwiches which helps them make links between healthy options and sustaining the environment. Activities, such as, making pizzas and bread, give children the opportunity to weigh and measure, and also to observe changes in properties as they mix dough. 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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