Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440720 Inspection date 29/08/2012 Inspector Jennifer Turner

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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 2012. She lives in the Dronfield area of Derbyshire with her husband, adult child and one child aged 11 years. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops and parks. The family has a pet dog and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently has two children on roll in this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 4 childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She receives support from the local authority and is part of the local childminding support group.

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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 effectively promotes all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder discusses these with parents and provides for these accordingly. She also offers an effective and stimulating range of activities and play opportunities for the children in her care. Children's unique needs and interests are also promoted well. The childminder has started to evaluate some aspects of her practice and most records for the effective safety of children are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the information recorded in a fire log in relation to any problems encountered and how they were resolved so that the safety of children is promoted  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding, which ensures children are well protected and their welfare needs are met effectively. She understands the procedure to follow if concerns about children arise, and contact numbers are kept readily available. Risk assessments are completed and reviewed to ensure the premises and outings into the local community are safely managed. Clear, well- written policies and procedures are in place and made available to parents to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure the safe and efficient management of the childminder's setting. She uses a secure internet system to upload information for parents, such as daily photographs of the children as they play and all her policies and parental consent forms. The childminder understands her responsibility to keep Ofsted informed of any significant events.

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the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all children into her home and works closely with parents to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language are supported. A wide range of toys and resources are available to meet the needs of all children and these are stored in boxes so that they can help themselves to what they want to play with. The childminder rotates toys to ensure children remain interested. Detailed planning ensures activities meet the needs of the children and support their development well across all the six areas of learning. The childminder gains valuable information about children and their families at the start of the placement. This enables her to gain an insight into all areas of the children's lives, for example, photographs of family members and detailed care plans.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good partnerships with parents and they are able to access her policies. She obtains the required information from parents when children start to attend, and daily discussions keep them informed of their child's day. Parents are able to view photographs of their children at play each day and are encouraged to write their own observations of their children's learning. The childminder has verbally consulted parents and children about the care she provides. They are happy with her provision and value the support she gives their children. However, the self-evaluation process is in its early stages and not yet fully used to identify strengths or priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision. The childminder explains how she has developed good relationships with the local school and nursery and regularly exchanges information about the children to ensure their smooth transition.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Consistent routines and caring support ensure children develop a sense of belonging. They are interested and excited about play and have formed good relationships with the childminder, who creates a calm, relaxing environment. They socialise by attending various groups throughout the week. The childminder provides a good range of resources and opportunities for children to develop their play and become independent learners. She understands how to observe children and plan interesting activities. She regularly carries out observations of children's play and transfers this information into individual computer recording systems which are shared with parents. The observations and assessments include details of such things as children's starting points and progress linked to developmental bands, areas of learning and their next steps. Parents are able to share their own

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and outcomes for children

observations of their children with the childminder, and daily communication helps to ensure effective feedback. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy their play and learning and benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of their personal needs, families and things they enjoy. She supports children's language and communication skills through lots of conversations and access to books. The childminder interacts effectively with the children, sitting at their level and joining in their play. They play freely and develop an awareness of numbers, colour and shapes. Children enjoy activities that help them develop their mark-making skills, for example, they like drawing self-portraits and painting. Children enjoy playing card games with the childminder and laugh as they build towers with bricks and knock them down. A good range of resources are accessible

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and outcomes for children

which enable children to explore and investigate using all their senses. They benefit from opportunities to explore the local environment as they go to the park and shops, and visit the nearby woods to explore nature. The childminder has a positive attitude to diversity and encourages children to respect and value each other. This is complemented by the provision of a range of resources and celebrations of festivals which promote children's understanding of the wider world and their community. Visits to the local Mosque and Chinese New Year celebrations ensure children gain an understanding about other faiths and cultures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding about personal hygiene as they become independent in their personal care. They understand how and why they should wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside or handling the pets. The childminder provides them with separate hand towels to reduce any risks of cross-contamination. The care environment is clean and well maintained and this helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children are well nourished and a range of nutritious snacks and meals are provided. They are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and have regular drinks to ensure they are kept hydrated. The children learn about food that is good for them and they grow a range of vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumbers, onions, beans and strawberries, which they harvest and eat.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder praises and encourages children in their achievements and this helps promote their confidence and self-esteem. Appropriate behaviours, such as taking turns and sharing, are encouraged as they play card games. The children are beginning to understand about their own safety as they learn about road safety and stranger danger. They know that they must tidy up the toys with small pieces to stop the very young children putting them into their mouths. The childminder has safety equipment in place, such as stair gates, socket covers and fire equipment. There is a clear emergency evacuation procedure in place, with a map of the house showing emergency routes. The children regularly practise the fire drills, however, these records are not sufficiently detailed to include any problems encountered and how they were resolved, so that the safety of children is fully promoted. 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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