Childminder, Out-of school day care in North 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 501212 Inspection date 13/11/2008 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 years old and 12 years old, in the village of Scorton. The whole of the ground floor and small bedroom and master bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Childcare Register, compulsory Childcare Register and voluntary Childcare Register. She also works with another childminder at the same address. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children, aged under eight years old or 10 children, when working with a co-childminder and she currently has 10 children on roll, aged under five years old. She also cares for children aged over eight years old. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.30 to 18.30 for 50 weeks of the year. The childminder has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. The

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the extremely friendly child-orientated home. The childminder's inspiring commitment to inclusion is evident in all areas of her practice. She acts as an excellent role model and observes individual children effectively to inform future planning. As a result, she meets any specific needs very well and provides a rich, varied and imaginative range of activities for the children. All documentation required to meet the children's welfare needs is in place, most of which is detailed and clearly recorded. The childminder is highly motivated, constantly evaluating the high quality care and education provided, to ensure that continual improvements are given utmost priority.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the register to ensure that childminder's and children's attendance times are clear  further develop written risk assessments to fully support children's safety inside and outside of the home.

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provision

The childminder has developed a good range of policies and procedures, including safeguarding children, which she uses to inform practice and promote outcomes for children. Effective recording systems for medication, accidents and contact details are in place and updated regularly. However, although procedures used to record childminder's and children's attendance are in place, they are not clear. All confidential information is stored effectively to safeguard children. Detailed risk assessments are in place for most aspects of the childminder's home, however, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings they lack detail to fully promote children's safety.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a highly motivated attitude towards her career and providing the best opportunities she can for children in her care. This is reflected in her commitment to ongoing personal development through regular training, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), child protection and outdoor play. The childminder is extremely pro-active in examining and positively responding to changes needed in the childminding environment. For example, she has recently assessed a climbing frame to be no longer safe and has removed it from the garden, making effective use of training, to plan new resources to replace it. She implements a variety of procedures, to ensure that she is continually assessing and developing her practice, including support from her local network, reading childminding magazines and gathering feedback from parents, in the form of a questionnaire. A written action plan ensures that any ideas from parents are

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provision

implemented. She immediately addressed her previous recommendation to display her certificate of registration.

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provision

The childminder maintains excellent links with parents and other agencies to collect and share information about the children. Parents are provided with recently updated policies, including child protection and the complaints procedures and they sign to confirm that they have read and understood these. There are a variety of ways to keep parents up to date about their child's care and achievements, including daily diaries, verbal feedback, informative newsletters and observation sheets. She ensures that parents do not miss out on any special moments during the day, by sending photographs via mobile telephones. As a result, parents are extremely positive about the care and learning that their children receive. Children's care and learning is significantly enhanced, as links with the local pre-school are given high priority. The childminder is extremely pro- active in supporting children's individual needs and providing continuity of care

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provision

with other settings. For example, spending time at the pre-school, to support children who would not initially settle there and conversely inviting children's key workers from pre-school, to spend time at her setting with the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A varied range of stimulating and exciting activities, ensures that all children make very good progress in the six areas of learning. This is comprehensively documented in children's individual files, clearly showing areas of learning and identifying next steps in development. Children benefit immensely from the totally child-centred home, which is dedicated to childcare and supporting children's learning. The planning of activities is very child-led and complemented by the childminder's excellent understanding of how to extend children's learning and provide support when necessary. Her comprehensive understanding of the EYFS and how children learn and develop, means that she is able to clearly identify learning. For example, recognising that children are problem solving, as she encourages them to consider how they might reach the top of the whiteboard, as well as communication, language and literacy skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of a wide range of open ended questions, to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote children's learning and development in everyday situations, such as meal times. For example, she talks to them about the shape of their yoghurt pots and rewards them with enthusiastic praise when they are correct. The children love stories and mark making. They have their own reading area, which even the youngest of children go to independently to select books, sitting with the book on their knee and confidently reading the story out loud. The children have made excellent friendships at the setting, demonstrating great care and concern for one another. For example, they support each other, as they complete jigsaws, saying 'well done, that’s right'. The childminder is very aware of the importance of promoting information technology skills at the setting. Children have access to a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

computer, along with telephones and cameras. She is constantly thinking of ways to promote children's learning, for example, instead of getting a photograph of the children's home for her file from parents, they walk to the house to allow the children to take the photograph themselves. Excellent use is made of singing and rhymes, to introduce children to numbers, shapes and colours. The childminder's positive attitude to equal opportunities, actively contributes to the children's awareness of the wider world. They take an active part in community activities, for example, toddler groups and they celebrate a range of festivals, which celebrates their own and other cultures, such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year. A rich variety of activities including arts, crafts, exploring gloop and dressing up, which actively contributes to children's creative development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to supporting children's good health and helping them to develop an excellent understanding of being healthy. For example, the bathroom has a low level sink and informative posters are displayed, to support children's hand washing. As a result, children know that they must wash their hands before meals, to prevent germs. The childminder manages a superb balance of supporting children's individual needs and promoting healthy eating. Meals are home cooked and adapted, to ensure that children with allergies are able to eat the same meals. This ensures that they do not feel excluded. The children take part in a wide variety of activities, to further support their understanding of healthy eating, for example, growing vegetables and making wall displays. Outdoor play fully supports children's good health. The garden is organised to ensure that all children, regardless of age can enjoy being outside, for example, babies and young

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children have their own area, if older children are present. Regular walks and trips to the toddler group, further supports children's physical development. Children's knowledge about personal safety is supported by gentle reminders from the childminder to tidy up toys, road safety activities and practising regular fire drills. All required safety equipment is in place and supported by mostly effective policies and procedures, for example, signing in visitors and consent forms. Children have formed very secure relationships with the childminder, running in to cuddle her and confidently approaching her for support. This is combined with effective and consistent procedures for behaviour management, to ensure that children learn right from wrong. As a result, children are very happy and settled in her care. 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? 1 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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 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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