Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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314537 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Carol-Anne Shaw Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1988. She lives with her husband who is her assistant and their teenage daughter in Bridlington. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a rear enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to take six children under eight years, presently she has seven children on roll, one of these is over eight years old, they attend on a part time basis. The childminder is accredited to take funded three and four year olds. At the time of inspection there were no children attending who receive funded Nursery Education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has experience of working with children with learning difficulties; there are no children on roll with learning difficulties. There are no children attending with English as a second language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the East Yorkshire Childminder Network and the National Childminding Association. She has a relevant childcare qualification and is an Early Years tutor. The childminder attends local play facilities in the area and she takes and collects the children from the Burlington Primary School. She uses her car on occasions to transport children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well protected from infection as stringent procedures are in place. They are cared for in a very clean and welcoming home where they learn the importance of effective hygiene practices. The childminder helps children to gain a very good understanding of healthy bodies and to become increasingly independent in their personal care. The children understand the reasons why they need to wash their hands regularly, for example, before meals and snack time and after messy play, to wash off the germs. The childminder is thorough in her approach to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to prevent cross infection. Surfaces are kept clean and effective systems are in place for nappy changing. The childminder ensures her standards of hygiene are maintained through contact and advice from Environmental Health.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are excellent opportunities for all the children to practise and extend their enthusiastic physical skills and have exercise and fresh air on a daily basis. The children make excellent use of the well equipped garden, where they use a wide variety and balance of equipment and toys to challenge and enhance their skills effectively to move around confidently and safely. The children have regular trips around the area which offer additional learning experiences, such as soft play, Stepping Stones group and opportunities for music and movement. The children go for regular walks together. All these activities promote a robust and positive approach to exercise being fun and the children are enthusiastic in their attitude. The children freely access a wide range of tools and resources that effectively promote their finer motor skills, such as the use of scissors, and to manipulate and fix materials, such as play-dough and construction

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are provided with snacks of fruit each day to support the packed lunch they bring from home. These are varied and overall offer a healthy and nutritious balance for them. The children are knowledgeable about healthy foods and why they are good for them. They have covered this in their topic on food which looked at the five portions a day programme of fruit and vegetables, this was shared with parents who actively contribute. A display made by the children demonstrated their understanding of eating in a healthy way. Children are involved in preparing and tasting different foods to extend their choices of what they eat. The babies' and toddlers' food is managed with the parents and the childminder to ensure their routines are followed. Meal times are promoted as social occasions and all the children sit down together

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 each day. Children's dietary needs are recorded and managed effectively with a clear understanding of the requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in premises where the standard of safety is at a very high level. The childminder is vigilant in her approach in all areas of the provision which are exceptionally well maintained and enable the children maximise their play and learning. The playroom is organised to make the best use of the space and enables the children to actively move around with confidence to access the well-resourced facilities in place. The dedicated play room provides a source of valuable information for parents that demonstrate that children's needs are paramount. For example, procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency assure parents that their children are in safe hands through the childminder's expert knowledge and understanding of safety issues. Children have an excellent range of toys, resources and equipment that offer a wide range of very stimulating opportunities. These are very well

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maintained, are of excellent quality and are monitored to ensure their ongoing safety and suitability for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children actively learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their safety inside and outside of the home. The children have been involved with a range of excellent and challenging activities that promote safety, but enable the children to take some risks, for example, using the trampoline. The children have covered water, fire, home and sun safety. The children talk confidently about how to cross the road, to stop, look and listen and to all walk across together. The children know where the exits are in the house to get out quickly if there is a fire and to ring 999 for the fire engine. The children are well informed and very confident in what they do before each journey when using their car seats and belts, and why this is important. The childminder has attended excellent safety training. There are clear and thorough risk assessments carried out both inside and for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings. This includes a pre-visit to venues before the children attend to assess and take effective measures to ensure the children have fun and enjoy their trips out but in a safe way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has clear and robust procedures in place. She clearly understands her role in child protection and is fully aware of the steps to take should a concern arise. She has attended training to ensure her skills and knowledge are kept up to date, which ensures children's safety and welfare is promoted very effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled and they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to each other and they are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community and further a field. For example, visits to the local park, beach walks, and group sessions. These provide the children with a very good range of social experiences and additional challenges in interesting settings. The children enjoy circle time, singing and playing instruments. Interaction and contact

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with the other children enables them to vocalise and develop their listening skills effectively. The relationships developed with both the children and the childminder are trusting and caring.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to the children's individual needs. She ensures the younger children have a variety of experiences, such as creative and physical play, which are very appropriate to their developmental stages. There is a selection of natural materials for the children to easily access for themselves. The younger children sit with the childminder for regular cuddles which promote the children's well-being and sense of belonging. The childminder monitors and assesses the younger children's development using 'Tracker books' that link their progress to the components within the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The older children have space to relax, play and read. There is a wide selection of games and activities, they have access to the computer, and other activities are provided from which the children make choices and decisions in what they want to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At the inspection there were no funded children present due to the holidays. The overall outcome for Nursery Education is deemed good.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The discussion, documentation and displays of children's work supported that the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of providing nursery education, and is fully aware of and working to the principles of early years education. The documentation fully evidences that children are progressing very effectively in all areas of their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The teaching and learning is good. Pictorial and written evidence show that children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The photographs and assessments of progress evidence children happy and interested in learning through play. The parents support this through letters and questionnaires that the children enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder has developed an excellent understanding of the 'Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage'. She plans activities for children based on observations of what they know and can do. These are stimulating and actively engage the children in a purposeful way, which she adapts to meet the children's individual needs and interests. As a result, children are motivated and make good progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Ongoing access and self selection of resources enable children to develop their own ideas effectively. Pictures and documentation support that children show care and concern towards the younger children and know how to play together co-operatively, sharing and taking turns. Children's records of assessments are regularly updated and provide informative evidence through written observations and good use of photographs that clearly identify where the children need to be supported and challenged to make ongoing progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Effective systems are in place that show ongoing opportunities to talk and use language confidently in their relations with the childminder and each other. Children develop their thinking skills through appropriate questioning and access to information around them. The children recognise letters in their names and some write it on their creative work. There is a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 good display of the written word around the playroom for the children to see each day. There are additional opportunities for children to practise writing and mark making in their play. Also opportunities for children to develop their understanding of letter sounds through the use of songs and rhymes. Books are readily available, the childminder promotes looking at books at home with their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to practise their numbers daily through routines and in every day activities. Access to sequencing, patterns and shapes support their understanding. Children are encouraged to use mathematical language, such as more or less, longer or shorter, when playing, such as baking, water and sand play. Production of a graph where they have record how they travel to the childminders home has given insight into methods of transport and ways to record this. Opportunities to measure and weigh themselves on a regular basis which they can record and discuss their growth progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are actively involved with an interesting range of experiences to explore and investigate their surroundings. The children plant seeds and bulbs and discuss the importance of the sun and rain in helping them grow. The children have visited the beach and collected a range of natural resources for their sea side display. They use the world map to show where holidays have been taken. Additional artefacts and photos extend children's awareness in understanding the differences within the wider world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Creative resources are organised in a way that offer a variety of creative activities such as collage, painting and printing. Opportunities for children to enjoy music and movement and playing instruments are included, they take part in role play and act out their experiences. This develops their imaginary skills. The children share their own news at circle time, which they are keen to participate in. Physical activities are excellent and the children receive a full range of experiences that enable them to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder continues to review and reflect her practice; she is developing further her systems to evaluate and record any changes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children are welcomed into the childminder's home and they have equal access to the resources and activities provided. They learn about the wider world through innovative and well planned approach to activities to celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and visits in the local area. They have access to a range of good resources depicting all areas of equal opportunities. The children have excellent access to community activities which extends the children's experiences. The childminder continues to extend the range and selection of her resources and equipment for the children. The childminder takes account of all the children's individual needs and this is shared with parents to ensure she is highly effective in meeting their changing needs. Children with learning difficulties are well supported by the childminder who is experienced and is inclusive in her approach and attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder provides a positive role model for the children in her attitude in being courteous and respectful and caring in her approach. This impacts on

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 the children as they demonstrate high levels of understanding about responsible behaviour to the boundaries and routines in place. These are minimal but effective and are consistently applied by the childminder. Children show care and concern for each other when playing together in a co-operative way, they show a mature approach to sharing, taking turns and assisting one another. For example, helping each other with the modelling. They are developing their negotiating skills very well to resolve minor conflicts between themselves. Evidence supports that children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. There is a detailed and comprehensive welcome pack which includes information on the childminder and clear details of the policies and procedures. There is clear information on how the 'Birth the three matters framework' is used with the children. Later, as the children reach the age they are funded, parents receive excellent information on all aspects of the Foundation Stage. This establishes an exceptional two-way communication process which enables parents to be fully involved in their child's development and learning. The childminder keeps parents effectively informed on a daily basis both verbally and with a book which is completed for all children. The children have well evidenced and detailed individual records on their development and ongoing progress. These are accessible at all times to parents; every term they are discussed with the parents to look at in more depth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Additional time is made available for parents if they want to discuss anything in more detail. The childminder is pro-active in seeking their comments through discussion and questionnaires. This has produced very positive results which were highly favourable to the excellent quality of care and commitment of the childminder. Supplementary information is regularly shared through the newsletter. This ensures parents are aware of activities, events, outings, children's birthdays and any other issues, such as changes to policies or amendments to practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is effectively organised and efficient in all aspects of her provision. The children are welcomed into a safe and well-resourced environment that benefits their well-being. Space, both indoor and outdoor, is set out to promote purposeful play opportunities for the children to ensure their ongoing development. They are able to move around safely, confidently and independently and have many opportunities to access to choose and select resources themselves. The childminder is well motivated and organises her time very well to effectively meet the needs of all the children attending.

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Organisation

All documentation is reviewed regularly and changes implemented where appropriate, such as reviewing the comprehensive risk assessments and the contracts with parents. This supports the service effectively to ensure the quality of care remains constant. The childminder is fully committed to maintaining relevant and up to date knowledge of childcare practice, she attends a wide range of other training courses and has access to other childcare literature, such as the National Childminding magazine, the Local Authority training manual, and has links with the Sure Start Centre to maintain and improve her skills. She is actively involved with the local childminding support groups. The childminder offers high quality opportunities through her sound and informed knowledge of children's development.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There is regular contact with the childminder network co-ordinator, who offers positive support and additional training information. She provides ongoing guidance and is a link with the national perspective on childminding. The local authority advisor also visits the childminder in relation to the nursery education provided. Reports are provided to ensure there is consistency and ongoing development of the care and education for the children.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made relating to Standard 14: Documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has expanded her child protection documentation and shared this with parents. This results in the childminder better meeting the requirement of registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop the systems in place that evaluate and review the Nursery Education

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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