Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

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 EY259408 Inspection date 03/06/2009 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 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 cares for children in the family home which she shares with her husband and three teenage children. They live in a terraced house on the outskirts of central Guisborough close to local primary schools and nurseries where children are collected and taken. Areas used by the children for play are generally accessible being mainly on the ground floor; the bathroom is upstairs and a designated bedroom is available for undisturbed rest should it be needed. There is also an enclosed garden for outdoor play which is easily accessed from the back door. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local quality assured childminding network; she also has a recognised level 3 qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She is registered on the Early Years Register and currently has five children on roll in this age group. The childminder is also included on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. At the time of inspection there were 11 older children attending in relation to this part of her registration, some of whom only attend occasionally.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's individual learning and development needs and she works closely with parents, her assistant and other agencies to make sure that they are fully promoted. She provides a happy, well planned learning environment where children are usually able to make excellent choices in their play and learning. She uses several tools to continually evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the provision and is becoming a highly effective reflective practitioner. Self evaluation processes are on the whole exceptionally successful in identifying highly relevant areas for improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 remembering to check that all areas of the curriculum are always easily accessible to children in the indoor and outdoor environments  continuing to extend the already effective links with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers to provide children with increased consistency and continuity in their learning and development.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates exceptional commitment towards her own professional development. She continues to attend a broad range of short training This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 course to complement her level 3 childminding qualification. She successfully includes the views of parents, children and her local authority support worker in continually evaluating and improving the early years provision. Levels of training, exceptionally well organised guidance and training and a mature approach ensures that children are well protected and their wellbeing safeguarded. All aspects of record keeping are thorough, exceptionally well organised and used effectively to monitor children's welfare and learning.

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provision

Relationships with parents are excellent. The childminder uses several highly effective methods to communicate with parents to make sure that children's individual care and learning needs are fully addressed. Because of the detailed discussion, clearly written notes and sometimes brief text messages, parents are kept fully informed of their child's daily progress and changing care needs. Noticeboards display important and interesting information about such matters as the play-based curriculum offered or recent newspaper items, as well as basic registration information. The childminder is vigilant in her communication with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers so that she can pass on relevant information to parents. Parents use the regular questionnaire system to comment on the standards of care; they comment very favourably on all aspects the provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed and truly valued as individuals in the childminding setting. The strong bonds and successful relationships that they develop with the childminder, her family and each other create a very pleasant, respectful learning environment where children thrive. Children benefit from the hugs they receive from the childminder for their behaviour and they have great fun playing with her husband on the trampoline. Children also learn a great deal from each other and the older children who attend; the family grouping has a positive impact on children's care and learning. Young children learn to behave exceptionally well, they happily help each other with their snacks and nearly always remember to say thank you. They are proud of the warm praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder for their efforts and their behaviour. Consequently, they are highly motivated to try again in their endeavours, for example, to count to 20 for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their game of hide-and-seek, practise their new vocabulary or in helping to tidy up. They also mimic the childminder's caring attitude and kindly offer her stickers for helping them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The ground floor of the childminder's house and her garden are given over completely to meeting young children's care and learning needs. Children's photographs and examples of their work are proudly displayed in the hall and kitchen. Resources covering all areas of learning are invitingly presented on low- level furniture, clearly labelled or positioned invitingly and accessibly around the garden. Therefore, children are motivated to explore the broad range of opportunities available and they concentrate well in their play and learning. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to present an effective play- based curriculum that covers all areas of learning and children are confident to tell the childminder what they would like to do. However, there are times when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has not realised that the full curriculum might not be easily accessible,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

for example, when, on the odd occasion, she does not have water ready in the in the water tray or the sand pit lid already removed. The childminder uses her excellent understanding of how children learn through play, combined with her thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to plan for children's sustained progress. She uses highly intuitive observations of children's play to establish an individual plan for their continued learning. This is shared effectively with parents to provide a consistent and focused approach to children's development. On the whole, liaison with other Early Years Foundation Stage settings that children attend is also very effective, for example, daily discussion with nursery staff means that all relevant adults are aware of individual children's care and development issues. However, these discussions are not incorporated fully into the assessment system.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The effective use of risk assessment and sensitive support means that children develop an excellent understanding of how to manage their own health and safety in relation to their own level of understanding. For example, they talk confidently about wiping the germs off the table as they help to prepare for lunch, they confidently follow safety rules for using the trampoline and they learn who to trust to help them when they are out and about. Children's health and learning benefit enormously from the excellent use of the outdoor area which covers all areas of learning. Tired from their exiting and physical role play in the garden, children have extremely healthy appetites and they relish the home cooked meals and snacks. Consequently, they sleep or rest peacefully, wake refreshed and are exceptionally good humoured throughout the day. 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? 1 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

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