Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY266519 Inspection date 23/07/2012 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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 2003. She lives with her husband in Clay Cross, Derbyshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.4

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. The childminder is also registered for overnight care. There are currently five children attending who are within the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder holds a NNEB childcare qualification and is a community childminder.

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

Children within the Early Years Foundation Stage enjoy their time with the childminder. They make good progress in their learning and development and overall their welfare is strongly supported. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity, inclusive practice is carefully promoted and children's needs effectively met. Links with parents are effective and liaison with other settings is in its infancy. Generally sound reflection of practice ensures there is commitment and capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend fire evacuation procedures to include all areas used by the children  develop further links with other settings where children receive education and care  extend knowledge and use of quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are well protected because the childminder has a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures supported by an effective policy and up-to-date training. Children are protected as the premises are secure at all times and the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is clear about her roles and responsibilities. Detailed risk assessments are carried out to minimise any hazards and provide a safe environment. The childminder has clear fire evacuation procedures and fire drills are undertaken regularly during the day and evaluated. However, as the childminder is registered to care for children overnight, there is a potential hazard as she has not considered the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire emergency at night. All required documentation is in place and maintained well to support the smooth running of the setting. Equipment and resources are well maintained, clean and suitable for children's

p.4

the early years provision

Children are helped to make good progress and their development is encouraged as the childminder is knowledgeable about implementing all aspects of the learning and development elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Individual assessment records contain children's progress information and clearly identify their next steps. These are all linked to the areas of learning and outcomes for children. The childminder is clear about visiting all of the areas of learning to ensure children receive a rich and varied experience.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well established which help to create consistency between the home and the setting. Parents are provided with quality information about the care and education of their child. Each child has a personal file and together the childminder and parents complete a child profile at the start of the placement and update this on an regular basis. There is ongoing daily discussion about the care and learning of each child ensuring the childminder and parents are always well informed. This is enhanced by the childminder's clear commitment to work together with parents and offering her support to the whole family.

p.5

the early years provision

Inclusive practice is well promoted and all children are included in activities. The childminder is very responsive to individual personalities and development. She is confident in her knowledge of how to develop children's understanding of diversity so that all differences are valued fully. She has a number of resources to promote diversity, such as a translating pen and books. The childminder works closely with other professionals and attends a variety of children's groups, including children's centres. However, links between other settings the children attend, such as schools and pre-schools are limited. This means that continuity of children's learning and development is not consistent.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's well-being is enriched as the childminder has completed all required training and additional training. The childminder informally reflects on her practice and shares practice issues with another childminder. However, a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children is not fully embedded into practice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and enjoy positive experiences with the childminder. Interactions are good and children benefit as they enjoy purposeful play through a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of planned, focussed, spontaneous and child-led activities, which ensures that they make good progress towards the early learning goals. Activities are extended and adapted to follow children's ideas and interests. For example, a planned visit to a children's centre safety day has been extended by the childminder who provides related dressing-up resources, books and small world activities.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Colour, letter, calculation and mark making development are supported well within spontaneous, routine, child-led and focussed activities. During an outing the children play 'Who will find first?' where they look out for specific items. They consider sequencing as they watch the traffic lights change. A 'Letter of the Week' extends children's learning as they seek objects starting with the letter and make a display in the home. They learn about weighing and measuring as they select and make recipes from cook books.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them and diversity through discussions and activities relating to different people and cultures supported by books, resources and discussions. Their experience is enriched by varied outings supported by discussions about what they have seen and done and are often extended by related creative activities. Children learn about the community and the wider world as they investigate memorials. Outings to a local castle offering different themed activities increases their learning. Creativity and exploration is promoted as all children enjoy access to a variety of art, craft and imaginative activities, such as role play and small world. Children have access to and learn about simple technology as they make use of a toddler sound computer.

p.6

and outcomes for children

A love of books is promoted by spontaneous and planned story times. The childminder has a good range of books which are loaned to the children to take home. Singing, dancing and rhymes are part of everyday routines. Children learn about nature as they grow strawberries in the garden, visit the local woods to see the bluebells, ponds and to find and name different birds. The flora and fauna they collect is used for discussion and within creative activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's communication is enriched as the childminder uses lots of open questions and signing. They have a strong sense of self-worth as they follow the childminder's behaviour boundaries and house rules based on respect and kindness. Children learn respect for themselves and others as the childminder explains why some behaviour is not acceptable, they help with appropriate jobs and support each other. The childminder increases children's socialisation and social skills by visiting children's groups. She is extremely alert to responding to children's individuality and different personalities. The childminder is a good role model and the consistent use of praise and positive reinforcement contributes effectively to the children developing a good sense of self and belonging to a wider family group.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is well promoted. The childminder has effective hygiene policies, procedures and consistent routines, including pictorial reminders, explanations and activities about personal care. Children are enabled to learn about healthy eating through themed healthy lifestyle activities both in the home and at groups at the children's centre. They are supported to eat healthily as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 select from the menu for meals. The children feel safe with the childminder as they confidently approach her and seek her reassurance. They learn about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through discussions, robust routines and activities. Children keep fit through visits to local amenities, parks and enjoy outside play in the home. Their skills are extended and they take risks safely as they use large equipment, activity centres and climb on rocks in a nature park.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

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 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

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 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

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