Jones, Diane

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 EY219510 Inspection date 02/10/2008 Inspector Christine Snowdon

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and three teenage children in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. Their home is within walking distance of the local school and amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in early years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families. Her sound knowledge and understanding of the children in her care ensures that children's welfare needs are met. Some of the planned and spontaneous activities reflect and build on children's individual interests in order to promote their learning. However, the childminders does not have a clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and does not record children's starting points or monitor and assess their learning. As a result, their individual next steps in learning are not sufficiently identified and planned for. Whilst good progress has been made following recommendations raised at the last inspection, there is no system in place to monitor and evaluate her practice in order to ensure on-going improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain more detailed information from parents about children's starting points and capabilities and develop planning, observation and assessment to promote children's next steps in learning  develop systems to monitor and self-evaluate the practice to ensure continuous improvement  further develop the setting's policies, procedures and risk assessments and ensure these are shared with parents  further develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder keeps appropriate records and policies which contribute towards the management of the setting and to ensure that individual care needs of the children are met. Since the last inspection the childminder has introduced some written policies and a copy of Ofsted's contact details have been issued to all parents. However, the child protection and complaints procedures have insufficient detail and lack clarity as to what process the childminder would follow should she receive any written complaints. The childminder takes effective steps to ensure children are safeguarded and well supervised at all times. For example, Ofsted is notified of all changes to adults living in the household and vetting procedures are carried out to ensure suitability. The premises are generally safe and secure and all resources are of good quality and safely stored at child-height. However, the

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provision

informal risk assessments in place do not sufficiently identify all hazards to children indoors and on outings. The childminder recognises that she does not have a clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has therefore arranged a relevant training course in order to improve her knowledge and skills.

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provision

All the children are included and their individual care needs are met well. Inclusive practice is further enhanced through close relationships with the parents and liaising with other settings which the children attend. For example, the childminder is flexible and supportive to the families she provides a service for. She transports children to a pre-school setting outside her own area so that they can establish relationships with the children they will go into school with. Prospective parents are asked to provide information about their child and make visits to the childminders prior to placement. There are close working relationships with the parents and they are informed verbally about their children's achievements and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children experience a good range of activities inside and outside the childminder's home, which support their all-round development and learning. The well established daily routines help children to gain confidence and feel settled and secure. For example, they know that after picking up older siblings from pre-school it is lunch time. Children are very confident, happy and settled with the childminder and they respond well to her caring and supportive approach. For example, sleepy children enjoy a cuddle and time to come around after their nap.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages children's learning as she plays alongside them making suggestions and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. They play happily with the farm and animals, sorting them into categories, naming them and making the various animal sounds. Children have a particular interest in trains and the childminder provides various learning aspects to build on this. For example, as they play with the wooden train track they count how many trucks there are and she asks them what colours the trucks are. A planned visit to the Railway Museum promoted this interest even further. Children are developing their understanding of nature and growing through a variety of fun activities and visits out and about. Their favourites include a local country house and bird garden. They enjoy seeing the various birds in the aviaries and the deer in the woodlands, spending time in the school area afterwards where

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they do creative activities linking into the birds and animals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are eager to show the creative activity they completed at pre-school and explain that when the cress seeds grow they will eat them in a sandwich. They enjoy other creative opportunities such as, drawing, colouring, baking and play dough when they use and handle a range of tools to promote their coordination and hand control.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder teaches children about keeping safe during routines and general discussions. For example, children are involved in fire drills and tell the inspector if there is a fire they have to go out into the garden. When out walking they use the pelican crossing and children press the button and wait until it is safe to cross. The use of reins and wrist straps ensure the children's safety when near traffic. Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle which includes lots of fresh air and physical activities. They particularly enjoy the regular visits to the play park where they climb, swing and balance on the apparatus. Children enjoy a range of healthy nutritious meals and snacks which are freshly prepared and cooked by the childminder. They drink water regularly throughout the day and like to have it with ice cubes. They tell the inspector that the ice melts and makes their drinks cold. The planned visits to the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

farm where they see potatoes and other vegetables being grown help to promote their understanding of healthy eating. 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

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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 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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