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 EY301850 Inspection date 24/02/2009 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 was registered in January 2005. She lives with her husband and four children aged 16, 14, 10 and six years. Their home is in Sherburn-in Elmet, in North Yorkshire. The whole 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 the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years and offers care for children up to 11 years. She currently cares for three children in the early years group and two older children, who all attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure, welcoming and homely environment that successfully fosters their sense of belonging and independence. All the required policies and procedures are in place and used to support her practice. However, the childminder's lack of understanding with regards to informing Ofsted of significant changes has resulted in a breach of regulations. The childminder has good working relationships with the parents and uses information gathered to meet the children's individual care and welfare needs well. However, systems to record and assess children's learning and development are weak. The childminder has started to evaluate her own practice in order to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems to observe, assess and plan for children's individual learning and development, taking into account their starting points on entry and their next steps in learning.  provide more opportunities for children to see labelling and numbers within the setting.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters; failure to request a variation of the conditions in order to care for three children in the Early Years age range (Documentation) (Also applies to both parts of the 03/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childcare register).

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provision

Children are kept very safe and healthy through the implementation of the childminder's procedures and the way she effectively promotes safety and hygiene awareness. She has attended additional safeguarding training and has a good understanding of what to do if she has any concerns. The childminder takes effective steps to ensure all adults in the household are suitably checked and vetted. Written risk assessments are in place to cover the premises, trips and outings. As a result, potential risks to children are identified and minimised effectively. Through taking part in regular fire drills and learning about road safety when out and about, children develop a good awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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provision

Written policies and procedures, such as equal opportunities, behaviour management, and health and safety are made available to parents so that they are clear about the care their children receive. The childminder has effective settling-in systems in place and she talks to parents at length to gain awareness of children's individual needs and interests. As a result, children settle easily into the setting and adapt to the daily routine. Additional information is displayed for parents and this includes Ofsted contact details and her certificate of registration. Whilst it was unintentional, the childminder's failure to request an amendment so that she could mind an additional child when her own child started school, means that she has breached the conditions of her registration. However, this has not had any negative impact on the minded children's care and welfare.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving and extending her own knowledge and skills. For example, she has attended several training courses since the last inspection and has recently started her NVQ level 3 in childcare. The parent questionnaires introduced to help her evaluate her own practice through actively seeking their views have been very positive. For example, they reflect on the good quality care their children receive and state that children are warmly welcomed as part of her family.

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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 supports their all round development and learning. The well established daily routine helps children to gain confidence and feel settled and secure. For example, they take off their coats and shoes on arriving then go off eagerly to their chosen activity. They particularly enjoy being active outdoors and regularly visit the local play parks. The childminder's garden is well established and provides a broad range of fixed apparatus where children can climb, swing and balance, promoting good physical skills and a healthy lifestyle. During the recent snow they had great fun building a snowman and playing on the sledge. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of children's individual needs, likes and interests. For example, she knows they particularly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoy the cars and train track and this is readily available to them. The children play happily together and share the trucks and cars. They work together to alter the track and fix it together again. They lift up the traffic lights and say the traffic lights are on red and that means stop. The childminder successfully reiterates their understanding of road safety by asking them what colour signal they wait for when crossing the road and they say the green man. They learn about weight and measuring through the regular baking activities and helping the childminder to make the play dough. They confidently roll, cut and shape the dough using a variety of cutters and tools. Children have good opportunities to make marks, colour and draw. For example, they independently get out the pencils and paper and concentrate well as they colour in their picture. They hold the ruler and carefully draw around it with the pencil. However, as there are very limited labels

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

or posters around the setting opportunities for children to become familiar with written words and numbers is limited.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works closely with the parents sharing information and keeping them informed of their children's daily routine, both verbally and written. Whilst there are systems in place to assess and record children's progress and development it is not being used effectively. For example, not all children's assessment records have been started and those that have, do not show where they are at in their learning or identify and plan for their next steps. This means children are not being effectively supported in reaching their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. Children know their efforts are valued and appreciated and as a result, children are cooperative and well behaved. For example, when asked to help tidy away the play dough activity they are a little reluctant, so the childminder makes it into a game by suggesting one collects the red pieces and the other green. They do so and the childminder thanks them for their help. Children benefit from the healthy and nutritious meals and snacks that the childminder provides for them. These are freshly prepared and cooked on the premises and include varied range of fresh fruit and vegetables. 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? 3 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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR10). 03/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR10). 03/03/2009 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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