Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24/11/2014 18/03/2009

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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's effective systems for observation, assessment and planning ensure that children are challenged well to reach the next steps in their learning.  The partnerships with parents and other early years providers are effective in ensuring that each child's care and learning needs are met well. Consequently, children make good progress.  Children's personal, social and emotional development is promoted well by the childminder. Consequently, children are happy, settled and secure and the relationship between the childminder and the children is good.  Children learn through play in a stimulating environment that is safe and secure. They are safeguarded because the childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to protect them from harm.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not always use different teaching strategies, such as open-ended questions to help children think critically, or give them time to think and then respond to her questions.

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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 observed children during activities, both indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records and a range of other documentation.

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Inspection activities

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability of all household members and the qualifications of the childminder. She looked at the childminder's self-evaluation and improvement plan.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1996 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and daughter in Bracebridge Heath, Lincolnshire. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities located on the first floor when the childminder provides overnight care. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessible by one step and parking is available at the front of the property. The family has an enclosed fish pond in the garden and a tank of fish in the house. There are currently four children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She 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:

 enhance the use of a wider range of teaching strategies, for example, by using even more open-ended questions to develop children's critical thinking skills, giving them time to think about what they want to say and put their thoughts into words.

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who attend

Children play in a well-resourced, stimulating environment where they are provided with a variety of interesting activities to access freely, both indoors and outdoors, across all areas of learning. This promotes children's independence and gives them the opportunity to make choices. The childminder has a good knowledge of how children learn and develop. She uses this, along with her knowledge of children's interests, abilities and preferences, to plan activities and interesting experiences. The childminder shares achievements and activities with parents, keeping them well informed of their children's progress and sharing observations. The childminder encourages parents to review the written records about their children's learning and to contribute what they know about their child can do. This supports parents to continue to be involved in their child's learning in the childminding setting and at home. The childminder is fully aware of the requirement to complete the

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who attend

progress check for children aged between two and three years and to provide parents with a written summary of their progress against the prime areas of learning.

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who attend

Children choose from a good variety of role-play resources and the childminder supports their communication and language development well, as she talks with them about their pretend situations. Children enjoy the conversations they have with the childminder. However, on occasions, the childminder does not always use a wide range of teaching strategies, such as open-ended questions, to extend children's thinking and speaking skills. She sometimes answers the questions before children have the opportunity to do so.

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who attend

The childminder gets to know children very well, through the good relationships that she has with them and talks confidently about where children are in their learning and development. This is because she use information gained from observation to plan challenging and stimulating activities that they enjoy. As a result, children are motivated to learn and are supported to acquire the skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning, such as school. The childminder has established successful links with other early years providers, which ensures continuity of care and learning for all children.

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

Children are happy and settled because the childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder finds out about established routines for sleeping and feeding, through discussion with parents. These are continued, to promote continuity of care and help children to develop a sense of belonging. The childminder knows the children well and works closely with their families to promote children's development. For example, she provides parents with support and relevant information to help them at home in care practices, such as toilet training. The childminder supports children's emotional well-being effectively. She places meaningful praise on good behaviour and individual efforts. Unwanted behaviour is managed sensitively, taking into account children's age and level of understanding. As a result, children develop the necessary skills, which help them embrace new experiences with confidence, such as moving on to

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

The childminder promotes good hygiene practices and children can wash their hands independently, so they have a good understanding of hygiene and can manage their own personal needs well. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and ensures that all mealtimes are sociable. The childminder sits with the children while they are enjoying a selection of fruit as snacks. She teaches children about the importance of healthy eating and uses this time effectively to talk to children about the different foods they are eating. Therefore, children are developing a good knowledge of healthy lifestyles. The childminder promotes an active lifestyle. Children play in the garden and the local playground where they practise their growing physical skills on large equipment. The childminder takes children to toddler groups, where they build relationships with other children. When on outings, the childminder teaches children about road safety, supporting

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

their developing awareness of staying safe.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and her responsibilities for safeguarding children, which means that they are well protected from harm. The childminder updates her knowledge by attending training on safeguarding and food hygiene, which ensures she has a clear understanding of keeping children safe. Since the last inspection, the childminder has implemented robust annual risk assessments to the areas used for childminding, which eliminates risks for children and ensures all furniture, equipment and toys are safe for use.

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provision

Children enjoy activities in a well-organised and stimulating designated playroom and in the childminder's garden. They are happy and confident and participate in purposeful play and exploration, planned and provided by the childminder. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and evaluates her childminding practice, to identify her strengths and areas for development. She seeks the views of parents through daily discussion and gains regular written feedback. An action plan for improvement is in place, which is reviewed to monitor the impact of changes on the quality of care and learning for children. The childminder seeks support from representatives from the local authority and acts on their advice. This means that she is up-to-date with the latest good practice guidance.

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provision

The childminder has established strong relationships with parents and their references indicate their high regard for the service she provides. Parents are fully informed of their children's achievements with the childminder through regular photographs and verbal communication. She provides them with regular and good quality information about her childminding service. For example, information is shared with parents when they first start, including the childminder's policies and procedures. Good partnerships are in place with staff at other settings that children attend, to ensure continuity in their care and learning.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 208810 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 818093 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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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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