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 EY378708 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Ann Doubleday

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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 August 2008. She lives with her husband, her adult daughter, son aged 16 and daughter aged nine years in Normanby, Middlesbrough. The premises are situated within easy walking distance of shops, schools, parent and toddler groups. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities. There is a garden for outside play. The childminder has a childcare qualification and has established links with the local nursery.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is presently caring for six children, of whom five are in the early years age group. She cares for older children before and after school. Children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder creates a calm, welcoming environment where all children feel included. She has a good awareness of each child’s specific interests and requirements as she effectively works in partnership with parents to ensure their needs are identified and met. The childminder has a clear understanding of how young children develop and learn and provides a wide range of activities and experiences help them make good progress in their learning. The childminder has attended several training courses to extend her skills and knowledge and takes appropriate action to tackle identified weaknesses, for example the organisation of the service. However, the childminder's plans for the future are not yet sufficiently developed to identify priorities for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's understanding of good practices with regard to hygiene by making sure they consistently wash their hands before eating snack  further develop procedures to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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provision

Clear records and a good range of policies and procedures ensure that children’s needs are well met. The home environment is safe for children as the childminder has conducted a thorough risk assessment to identify and minimise potential hazards. The childminder and adult members of the household are appropriately vetted. She has a good understanding of procedures to safeguard children and is able to act appropriately should a concern arise. Consequently, children are well protected. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is committed to on going training and development and has made improvements to the service since registration in order to benefit children. For example, she has improved her planning of activities and her organisation of resources. She makes improvements to her service on an ongoing basis; however, she has not fully identified well targeted plans for the future in order to bring

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provision

about further improvements to the provision and outcomes for children.

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provision

Positive relationships with parents have been established to help promote children’s well-being, development and progress. The childminder involves parents in the planning of activities and shares her policies and procedures with them. She makes time to communicate with parents on a daily basis either in person or by telephone or text in order to keep them very well informed about their children’s daily routines, progress and achievements. The childminder has developed good links with the local nursery in order to provide continuity in children’s learning, for example, she talks to nursery staff every day and finds out about the current topic by using the nursery web site.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well qualified and experienced in child-care. She uses her knowledge to provide a good range of challenging indoor and outdoor activities and experiences for the children. She is very well organised and ensures a good balance between structured activities, free choice and opportunities for relaxation, ensuring that all children’s needs are considered. Plans are closely linked to each area of learning and all children’s interests and ideas are included. This ensures children are interested and highly motivated in their learning. The childminder uses her observations of children’s progress and her knowledge of their individual interests to identify the next steps in their development. Consequently children make good progress in all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the local area and regularly takes children to toddler groups, and a local park, where they have opportunities to interact with other children and adults. Children are beginning to learn good hygiene habits as they clean their teeth after meals and wash their hands before lunch; however, their understanding is not fully developed as they do not consistently wash their hands before eating a snack. Children develop their language as the childminder talks to and listens to them during play, gently and sensitively repeating words that they pronounce incorrectly, asking pertinent questions and introducing new vocabulary. She uses their interest in stories to link into other areas of learning, for example, in one story an elephant was sneezing, this is discussed when children are sneezing and then a discussion follows about the need to use tissues to prevent the spread of infection. Children are beginning to recognise and name

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

colours as they paint pictures. They develop their understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy as they count the tools they are using with the play dough, share it between themselves, learn about fractions as they divide it into two pieces and use language such as bigger and smaller to describe the pieces. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are happy and secure in childminders home. For example, they often sing spontaneously as they play. All children are welcomed into the setting and provided with the resources to help them talk about differences and valuing each other. Frequent praise and the use of positive strategies, ensures that they are gaining in confidence and self esteem. Children select the equipment they wish to use from a variety of age appropriate resources and toys. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, as they learn about stranger danger and how

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to use slides and other outdoor play equipment safely. 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? 2 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? 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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