Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314368 Inspection date 16/12/2008 Inspector Elizabeth Patricia Edmond

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a detached farmhouse in the open countryside near Holme-on- Spalding-Moor. Children have supervised access to various animals; only one dog comes into the house where children play. Most of the childminding facilities are easily accessible being mainly the ground floor of the house. There are additional facilities upstairs; for example, another bathroom and bedrooms for overnight care or undisturbed rest. Children also have access to open and enclosed outdoor areas according to their level of understanding; younger children are always closely supervised.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. She sometimes works with her son who is also a registered childminder (500799) or other family members who are registered assistants. The childminder may care for more children when other adults are working with her. At the time of the inspection there were 13 children in early years age group on roll at the joint childminding setting. There were also several older children on roll in relation to the childminder's registration on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children attend various full and part time sessions and some stay overnight. There are links with local primary schools and pre-school groups where children are taken and collected. Due to the rural locality children are transported by car. The childminder is a member of the local childminding group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a lively and stimulating family environment where all children are valued as individuals. The childminder has considerable experience in providing an inclusive environment for children with a diverse range of needs. There is a good range of activities and outings that interest the children and promote their development in all areas of learning. The childminder evaluates the service and successfully identifies areas for development and is developing systems to monitor children's progress through all six areas in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 organise the smaller playroom so that children can freely access all the resources they need for their play and development across all areas of learning  continue to become more familiar with all aspects in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure that systems for monitoring learning and development fully reflect the framework  encourage assistants, co-childminders and parents to contribute to the children's learning journeys to promote a more co-ordinated approach to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's sustained learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has an excellent approach to evaluating and improving the service and is, in the main, very successful. Recent work on a National Vocational Qualification has contributed to the success of this, as has the broad range of additional training she has attended. The childminder also works effectively with the local authority and local childminding group and welcomes their advice too. Parents are also included successfully in the evaluation of the service. Parents' questionnaires show overwhelmingly that they are exceptionally pleased with the homely, inclusive nature of the provision and the high standards of care and development provided by the childminder and her co-workers.

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provision

The facilities and resources are, on the whole, very well organised. The large playroom is well resourced with a good range of play materials and the interesting outdoor area encourages offers some excellent opportunities for learning and development. However, during the winter months when the large playroom is a little cold for prolonged play, the youngest children cannot always easily access what they need for their play and learning. Play equipment in the smaller indoor playroom, whilst more easily accessible, offers little variety and does not cover the six areas of learning effectively. Whilst children enjoy playing with the various plastic toys for a short time, there are rather too many push-button, battery operated toys that do not encourage young children's imagination.

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provision

All documentation is clear, well-organised and covers all aspects of the care. Well written policies and procedures are in place and followed fully by the adults to safeguard the children and protect their welfare. They effectively inform parents about the childminder's approach to childcare and development. Daily liaison with parents is generally verbal; she gets to know children and their families very well so that she can meet their individual needs. She knows when they have not slept well and might need a nap earlier than normal and knows when family situations could affect children's behaviours. Important information about accidents and medication is always in writing and signed by parents. Effective liaison with other early years providers, such as local pre-school groups and schools, fosters a co- ordinated approach to focusing on children's individual learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder creates a wonderfully supportive emotional environment where all children know they are valued and learn to respect each other. The relationships that children enjoy with the childminder, her family and the dog contribute significantly to children's care and learning. They talk fondly about her husband and often accidentally call the childminder 'grandma' as they play. They respond well to her calm nature and the warm praise and encouragement they receive for their efforts and their behaviour. Consequently they are motivated to try a more difficult jigsaw, they learn to take turns happily and they develop respect for each other. Their behaviour is generally impeccable, they say 'please' and 'thank you' This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the minimum of adult prompting. Daily procedures and additional training for dealing with a broad range of behaviours also work very well in practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her clear knowledge of child development and children's individual stages and interests to promote further progress. She interacts effectively with children to support their learning, using informal conversational questioning skilfully to help them to think, for example, about how many carrots they need for the horses or how many are left when one is missing. This is beginning to be reflected effectively in children's learning journey folders. The assessment folders are beginning to provide parents with a wonderful insight into their child's learning and development; however, parents and co-childminders are not yet contributing to this process. Also, the regular checklists used to monitor development are based on previous frameworks so do not fully reflect the areas of learning in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are motivated to explore in the homely environment and are interested in the resources available. Older children confidently ask for items, such as a favourite book, that they do not see and younger ones make it very clear when, for example, they want to get the tractor out of the corner. However, the accessibility of the resources during the winter months means that play and learning is sometimes overly adult led because equipment is often chosen and fetched indoors by adults. There is a high focus on communication, language and literacy. Children become confident, capable communicators. For example, younger children often sing their favourite songs and rhymes as they play or wait for their lunch. Older children practise their writing skills as they write their letters to Father Christmas. Children enjoy books and they snuggle happily with the childminder on the sofa for a favourite story.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The effective use of risk assessment means that children's learning and enjoyment are enhanced through exciting outings into the forestry or woodland or to nearby attractions. It also opens up some excellent learning opportunities on the childminder's farm; children learn a great deal about the natural world around them and how to care for it. Children learn to manage their own health and safety in relation to this; they know the importance of washing their hands after feeding the chickens, ducks or horses and not talking to strangers when out and about. Children's good health is promoted through a healthy diet of freshly cooked meals and a positive approach to being active in the outdoors. Well nourished, they sleep well in the fresh air, wake refreshed and are good humoured. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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