Childminder 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 EY261497 Inspection date 05/01/2009 Inspector Linda Cook

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, a daughter aged 14 years and a son aged 12 years. The family lives in a bungalow in a cul-de-sac in Bedale, North Yorkshire. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four children, three of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have access to all rooms with the exception of the main bedroom. There is a secure back garden which the children use for outdoor play. The property is within walking distance of the local school and the childminder is willing to take children to and collect them from there.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare and learning outcomes are successfully promoted. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care and she knows the individual children extremely well. Children enjoy an excellent balance of self-initiated and adult-led activities each week that support their individual interests and learning needs in an inclusive environment. Regular training and a clear system of self- evaluation enables the childminder to keep up-to-date with changes in legislation and maintain very good levels of practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 include local outings in written risk assessments  continue to develop systems and confidence in meeting the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage

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provision

The childminder makes excellent use of local training opportunities to continually develop her knowledge and skills. For example, she is in the process of completing a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in childcare and education and has recently attended short courses on child protection, anti-bias awareness and health and safety. As a result, she has a good knowledge of safety and child protection issues, enabling her to safeguard children's welfare and provide a fully inclusive environment. Detailed written risk assessments covering the home, garden, resources, equipment and specific trips out to new places are completed and regularly reviewed. However, daily outings, such as walking to school, although well considered by the childminder are not documented. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder maintains a very high standard of documentation and ensures that

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provision

records, policies and procedures are comprehensive, individual to the setting, up- to-date and regularly reviewed. These are extremely well presented and made available to parents in a very user friendly folder which is made available to them to access at all times and to take home if they wish. The childminder's self- assessment is effective in identifying strengths and areas for development, she is strongly committed to the ongoing development of the service she provides and has targeted future training needs. She makes sure she is up-to-date with changes so that all requirements for registration are consistently met to a high standard. Partnerships with parents are well established and ensure each individual child's needs are recognised and met. There is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise between parents and the childminder, which ensures the childminder is aware of children's starting points and parents are kept fully

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provision

informed of their children's achievements great and small. While none of the children cared for at present attend other settings, the childminder has started to consider how she will share information with other providers involved in the children's care and learning to ensure consistency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children she looks after very well and they are happy and settled in her care. She supports children's learning effectively and they enjoy a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities which take account of their individual interests and help them make good progress in their development. The activities take place indoors and outdoors and cover all areas of learning. The childminder has recently introduced formal systems of observations and assessments to allow her to monitor children's progress and plan for their individual next steps in learning. These are well documented and linked to the areas of learning in children's profile folders, which are illustrated with photographs of the children enjoying the activities provided.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children go on outings on a regular basis, they attend story time at the library and choose books, and enjoy walks out and trips to local play parks. They attend local toddler groups, providing them with opportunities to socialise with other children. At the childminder's home they help themselves to a range of toys and resources that are clean, well maintained and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has laminated cards showing the range of toys and resources she owns to assist the children in making choices. They enjoy a range of craft activities, making things with paper, cardboard and junk modelling materials, for example they made a pirate ship and flag to fly on it. The childminder talks to children and joins in their play; they read stories and enjoy songs and she provides opportunities for them to draw and mark make, which supports early language and literacy skills effectively. Children solve simple problems, learn to count and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

recognise numbers as they work out how to put pieces of a floor mat together, which they then use enthusiastically to demonstrate their hop, skipping and jumping skills. Children increase their knowledge of the world around them as they monitor the seasons, enjoy playing in the fallen leaves in autumn and learn about different animals and where they live. They have access to a computer, which develops their understanding of information technology. Children respond well to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder's clear guidance and praise and their behaviour is good. Their self- esteem is promoted as the childminder gives them time to try to do things for themselves and praises their achievements. They learn the clear and consistent expectations of behaviour and are encouraged to think about the needs and feelings of others. The childminder has attended training on the use of empathy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

dolls and has purchased one to help children express their feelings and emotions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's care and welfare are significantly enhanced by the childminder's exemplary practice in many areas and her commitment to keeping children safe, promoting their good health and ensuring they make good progress in their learning. Children are well cared for, they grow in confidence and independence as they move freely and safely around the home due to the effective safety precautions and the childminder's supervision and commitment to helping them to learn to keep themselves safe. For example, she has a detailed plan for emergencies and the children regularly practise evacuations so they can act quickly in an emergency. They learn how to cross roads safely on their trips out. Children's health and well-being are given high priority. They learn which foods are good for them as they choose from healthy options such as fruit and yogurt at snack time or help to decide on menus. They discuss healthy eating with the childminder as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they bake or help to prepare food. They are protected from the risk of cross- infection as they follow good hygiene routines, washing their hands after attending to personal care needs, before eating and after messy play, and use individual towels to dry their hands. The childminder ensures there is a high standard of hygiene maintained throughout the home and has a clear sick child policy which is shared with parents and consistently implemented. 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? 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 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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