Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26/06/2014 07/05/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Teaching is good. The childminder provides an effective programme of activities in a stimulating environment, so children have fun and enjoy learning.  Excellent use of the inspiring outdoor environment engages children's interest and helps them to enjoy the freedom to be active outdoors enhancing their physical development.  The childminder has a calm and sensitive approach with a secure knowledge of the children's individual learning needs. Children have a very strong attachment to the childminder and relate very well to her and each other.  The childminder establishes good relationships with parents and other education providers that children attend.  The childminder has good knowledge of how to safeguard children in her care. Consequently, children's welfare and well-being is promoted.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is further scope to make greater use of updates from parents about children's ongoing interests and achievements at home, in order to build upon and further extend children's good learning.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked around all areas of the home used for childminding, both indoors and outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documents relating to the children and to the setting, including the self-evaluation form, policies, procedures and the children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children engaged in activities both indoors and outside, including care routines.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children during the course of the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and household members aged over 16 years.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from documentation provided by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in a house in Narborough, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms on the first floor and the rear garden is used for childminding. The family has two pet hamsters. The childminder attends a number of toddler groups and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis, and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently 11 children on roll; six of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance children's learning by making greater use of updates from parents about their child's ongoing achievements and development at home to extend planned activities.

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who attend

The childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. She gathers information from parents and her own observations to establish children's individual starting points. This helps her to build upon their unique interests, preferences and abilities to successfully promote their learning and development. The childminder provides a well-balanced learning environment, which meets children's individual needs, resulting in all children making good progress. The childminder listens attentively to children's ideas and suggestions, providing plenty of praise and support as they play. As a result, the children's confidence and sense of self-worth is promoted and they develop a positive attitude to learning. Play areas are very well equipped with toys and equipment to promote all areas of children's learning. Children move around the childminder's home with confidence and readily select toys and activities. The childminder responds to

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who attend

children's ideas and suggestions, such as to read a story or go outside. The childminder engages children in ongoing discussion, which supports their communication and language development. She effectively teaches young children about colour and counts with them while they engage in their chosen activities. Consequently, children begin to make associations between the number and their age.

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who attend

Children are developing essential skills they need for school. The childminder encourages children to make choices and lead their own play experiences. For instance, if children lose interest in a planned activity, the childminder allows them to follow what interests them. In the garden, children take great pride in maintaining the growing fruit and vegetable plants, squealing in delight as they water them. Children benefit from regular visits to local places of interest, enjoying the countryside and woodland walks and play in the park. This encourages children's curiosity and inquisitive nature in the world around them. In addition, they enjoy the freedom to run, climb and challenge themselves physically. The childminder observes children at play and records their progress in learning journals. The journals are shared with parents frequently, and they are actively encouraged to be involved in their children's learning.

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who attend

The childminder has good systems in place to monitor and extend children's learning accurately. She plans for children's next steps, which ensures that children are making good progress. The childminder completes the progress check between the age of two and three years. This summarises children's progress to date and provides parents with a clear idea of their children's abilities. The childminder uses a number of effective ways to share information with parents about their children's learning, including daily discussions, diaries and sharing learning journals. However, the childminder does not always make full use of all updates from parents about how their child has been learning and developing at home. This means that she does not include this extended range of information in her planning to promote children's development to the maximum. Parents are happy with the care and education provided by the childminder. A parent states, 'you're a fantastic

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who attend

childminder! Thank you for all the support you have given to me and my family over the years. We will all miss you'.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children form a secure attachment to the childminder who gathers extensive information from parents when children first start in her care. For example, the childminder uses initial questionnaires to enable her to get to know children and their families extremely well. Consequently, the childminder provides them with consistency in their routine. As a result, children display very high levels of confidence and self-esteem, showing that they feel safe and secure in her care. Children learn to play together well because the childminder uses consistent expectations and boundaries for their behaviour. Children receive regular praise and encouragement from the childminder to reinforce positive actions and teach them about acceptable behaviour. For example, children learn how to share their toys and be kind to one another.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder is a good role model for the children, treating them with respect and kindness. She places priority on ensuring children are emotionally secure, can communicate confidently and take age-appropriate responsibility for their own personal care needs. This means children are emotionally well prepared for the next stage of their development, such as school. The outdoor environment is exceptionally well resourced with a wide range of exciting activities for children to explore. The children are encouraged to move between the house and the garden as they lead their play. This is fully utilised, making the garden an extension of the indoor environment. The children learn about healthy lifestyles through growing fruit and vegetables to eat at snack time. All areas are safe and secure, allowing children to move around the childminder's home freely. The childminder promotes good health practices by promoting regular hand

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

washing and by offering healthy snacks. The children are encouraged to independently select pieces of fresh fruit. Drinks are made available to the children at all times. The childminder encourages children to sit at the table for their meals. Young children understand this and sit in their chairs when the childminder suggests they have lunch; this helps to develop their personal and social skills during meal times. The youngest children are encouraged to 'have a go' at feeding themselves and are soon able to do this successfully. The childminder works closely with parents so that children eat healthy and nutritious meals. Children learn about their bodies during care routines. They talk about where their body parts are, such as eyes, ears and elbows. This helps younger children to become more aware of their bodies and helps to keep them safe.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates that she has a good understanding of child protection and is confident that if she has any concerns about a child she would know what to do. She shares her safeguarding policies and procedures with parents, so that they are clear about their responsibilities. The appropriate checks for all household members are in place. The childminder implements thorough procedures that protect children when they are away from the home and she supervises children vigilantly at all times, both inside the home and during outings. The childminder maintains accurate documentation, which helps to support children's ongoing welfare. For example, accident records provide sufficient information for parents and they are made aware of any injuries. She maintains good records of risk assessments of the home, inside and outdoors, and for

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provision

all types of outings, providing a safe and secure environment for children to learn and explore. This means the childminder appropriately promotes children's well-being and has procedures in place to keep them safe and secure.

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provision

The childminder is keen to provide a high quality and flexible service for the children and parents. The childminder has a relevant level 3 qualification in childcare. She fully understands the importance of continuous professional development and has attended recent training, including training in safeguarding and first aid. In addition, she shares good practice with the local early years adviser and other local childminder's, welcoming their support. This helps her to monitor her provision and keep up to date with current practices. Therefore, children benefit from her increased knowledge and skills. The childminder has successfully addressed recommendations from the previous inspection and demonstrates a good ability to sustain ongoing improvement in quality for children. She actively seeks feedback from parents using questionnaires to enable her to consider their and their children's views, when looking at future improvements.

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provision

The close relationships the childminder builds with families, helps children to feel content and parents to feel reassured that children enjoy attending and make good progress. Parents are happy with the care their children receive and compliment the childminder on the standard of care she provides. They comment, 'your setting and good nature have been a huge comfort as a mother'. The childminder works closely with other settings where children attend to help prepare them for their new environment and to complement their learning. The childminder uses facilities provided by her local children's centre, enabling her to understand the roles of other professionals. As a result, she is aware of how to seek additional help for children and their families, should the need arise.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101319 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 877305 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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