Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15/07/2014 24/09/2009

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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

 The childminder provides good teaching with combined activities that provide challenge, familiar routines and quality conversations. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning and development and are well prepared for school.  The childminder is aware of risks to children's safety and keeps them safe from harm. Children show that they feel safe and secure in her care.  Children have strong relationships with the caring childminder. They smile and giggle as they enjoy playing with her.  Children are well supported to settle with the childminder quickly. She is flexible to meet the individual needs of children who show signs of needing extra support.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are opportunities to strengthen the system for monitoring children's progress in the specific areas of learning and to further support the current good systems in place, in order to monitor the prime areas and to ensure children continue to make good and better progress towards their early learning goals.

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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 at a selection of policies, procedures and relevant documentation, including the development files and observations of children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder playing with the children indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2009. She is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged five and seven years, in the village of Waddington, near Lincoln. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including shops, park, library and schools. It is accessible with car parking available at the front of the house. All areas of the property are used for childminding, with bathroom facilities available on the ground floor and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. The enclosed areas to the side and rear of the house are used for outdoor play. The family keep two guinea pigs as pets. There are currently seven children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder provides care all year round, Monday to Friday and is flexible with

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Information about the setting

her working hours to meet each family's needs. The childminder has a vehicle available for her use and is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 develop further the system for monitoring children's progress and their educational opportunities in order to maintain the quality of provision as children get older, and the teaching focus moves from the prime areas to all seven areas of learning.

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who attend

The childminder has a secure understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows how children learn and she regularly completes observations, assessments and planning for the next steps in their learning and development. She accurately identifies children's level of development, and details are shared with parents. The childminder evaluates the activities she provides to ensure they meet individual children's needs, and as a result children are developing well because the quality of teaching is good.

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who attend

The childminder plays and speaks to the children at their level and extends their emerging conversations naturally to help them to develop their speech and understanding. She talks to the children throughout the day, using open-ended questions to extend their vocabulary and develop their thinking skills. For example, as a child encounters an obstacle while playing outside, the childminder uses positional language to reinforce understanding of space and measure. Together they discuss under, over, forward, backwards and around. The childminder gives the child time to consider the options, and when the child chooses to go around the obstacle, she gives praise and encouragement to the child who is clearly delighted at their achievement. Consequently, children learn about concepts and develop problem solving skills that support them to become independent learners and helps to prepare them for their eventual move to school.

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who attend

The childminder provides a broad range of resources and activities to support children's learning across the seven areas of learning. Children are encouraged to enjoy books and stories, and have a wide range of ways to start to make marks, for example, in the sand. The childminder clearly knows each child well. She works with parents to identify children's development needs and interests when they start in her care, and she uses observation and assessment to plan for individual learning. The learning journey begins with the childminder and the parents working collaboratively to build a full picture of the children's interests, likes and dislikes and includes the broader context of the whole family. This gives clear and concise starting points and enables the childminder to support children effectively in their learning and development. The childminder has completed the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, and shares this

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who attend

information with parents. Her knowledge of each child and their individual development is strong and she identifies appropriate next steps to support their future learning.

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

The childminder provides a welcoming and warm environment where children can make independent choices about how they spend their time, and the activities along with resources they wish to use. Accessible storage allows them to select toys for themselves and boxes are clearly labelled to support them in learning to tidy away. Routines help children to feel settled and these are agreed with parents, particularly in relation to sleep patterns of individual children. They enjoy regular outings to local playgroups, which provides opportunities to socialise with other children and adults. This also enables children to get to know other children who will start school with them.

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

Children enjoy strong attachments with the childminder and are confident and happy because their choices are respected and their efforts are praised. Children show in their behaviour that they feel safe and secure in the care of the childminder, and when minor situations occur, these are handled sensitively and calmly. Children are safe because the childminder carries out daily risk assessments of the home and on outings. External doors are kept locked when children are in the provision and safety gates ensure children cannot access areas, such as the upper floor and kitchen, without supervision. Children learn to understand risks and how to keep themselves safe because the childminder uses appropriate reminders and explanations. For example, when playing outside children are supported in using the climbing equipment and slide, and the childminder constantly reinforces the need to slow down and to be careful when using the slide. She stands close

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

enough to intervene if required and allows children the opportunity to explore and take managed risks in their play. Children are consistently encouraged to try things for themselves, which helps to develop their self-esteem and self-care skills.

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

The childminder provides a healthy, nutritious diet for the children and they are encouraged to feed themselves and learn skills of independence. The childminder is a good role model as she consistently reinforces hygiene routines by washing her own hands after nappy changing and before and after preparing snack. She encourages children to wash their hands regularly throughout the day. The childminder ensures children get plenty of fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. Children play on a variety of outdoor play equipment in the garden and they regularly go on outings to local parks. This enables children to explore and investigate the natural environment and resources to enhance their understanding of the world around them.

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provision

The childminder understands her responsibilities to support children's development and well-being to promote their safety and welfare. She has effective policies and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and shared with parents. Children are kept safe because the childminder has a good awareness of potential risks to their safety and she has developed comprehensive systems that enable her to protect them from harm. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of what to do if she has any concerns about the welfare of children in her care. She has a secure knowledge of children's development in the prime areas, which are important for the younger children in her care, and ensures they are developing well. However, as children get older, the focus of teaching is not always balanced to include the specific areas of learning consistently, to ensure all areas of children's learning and development are supported appropriately.

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provision

The childminder is continually evaluating her provision and involves parents in this process. For example, parents complete questionnaires twice per year. Suggestions for improvement, such as more photographs to be included in the learning journey records are discussed with the parents and acted upon. Parents comment that they are happy with the service provided and the level of information provided to them about their child's progress. The childminder accesses information to improve her knowledge and understanding as she demonstrates commitment to continue to develop her practice. For example, she plans to complete a further qualification to strengthen her practice and provision. The childminder uses an information technology based website to seek support through local and national networks of childminders. This enables her to keep up-to-date with changes and continuously improve her service.

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provision

The childminder provides a daily diary for every child in her care and this enables her to work closely with parents to support children's learning and well-being. Information is shared daily about activities and interests of the children, this allows parents to contribute regularly about the progress their children are making. The childminder shares strategies with parents in respect of toilet training and dummy use, in order to support children's development both within the provision and at home. The childminder shares information with link schools and other providers to ensure children are continually well supported.

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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 EY386174 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 878957 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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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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