Childminder in East Riding of 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 314414 Inspection date 30/03/2009 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 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 1999. She cares for children in the family home which she shares with her husband and two children aged 12 and 17. They live in a semi-detached house in the village of Cranswick, close to the market town of Driffield. Local amenities including shops, school, railway station and bus stops, are all within easy walking distance, although the childminder does sometimes use a car for collecting the children and for outings. The childminding facilities are easily accessible being mainly on the ground floor together with the bathroom and designated bedroom on the first floor, should they be needed. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and two indoor fish.

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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 may care for six children under eight. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age group. At the time of inspection there were six older children attending in relation to this registration. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses her clear knowledge of child development, the Early Years Foundation Stage and children's individual care and learning needs to provide an effective inclusive environment. Children feel valued and make good progress according to their individual needs and interests. The childminder successfully uses several tools to evaluate the quality of the service she provides, and makes highly relevant plans for improvements. Children benefit from the close working relationships that the childminder fosters with parents and other agencies. However, newer systems for sharing information with other parties about children's development are not yet being used fully to promote a coordinated approach to children's continued progress towards the early learning goals.

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further?

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

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further?

 organise the observations in the children's folders so that information about children's development in all areas of learning can be shared easily with parents and other parties to further promote a coordinated approach to children's continued progress towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder uses several tools effectively to evaluate the quality of her provision. This has included taking part in a recognised quality assurance scheme, the Ofsted self-evaluation form and regular questionnaires for parents. Her highly motivated approach to her training and development is also a significant factor in her ability to make sure that the quality of the service continues to improve. In addition to a broad range of short training courses, the childminder is working towards a recognised early years qualification. She also researches various issues relating to children in her care as they arise. The childminder's self-initiated areas of development are to further enhance the outdoor learning environment and to organise children's 'learning journey' folders. The childminding environment and resources are, on the whole, easily accessible to all children. Some equipment for older children, such as scissors, are kept safely away from the younger ones.

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provision

However, the older ones confidently tell her what they want to do and what they want getting out.

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provision

There are clear written policies and procedures explaining to parents how the childminding is organised and about the childminder's approach to such matters as behaviour management or health and safety. A clear statement demonstrates the childminder's commitment to protecting children in her care; a rolling programme for related training, effectively evaluated, means that children are successfully safeguarded. The childminder keeps a good range of guidance documents on child health and medical conditions. At the time of the inspection, the childminder acknowledged that some documentation was a little disorganised; some had been filed in her National Vocational Qualification folder for her tutor and was not easily found. Similarly, some of the children's assessment observations had been removed, as evidence for her own assessments. All of the required documentation for the safe management of the provision, such as children's details, risk

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provision

assessment and records of accidents, were more efficiently filed and kept up to date.

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provision

Children are secure and settled in the warm relationships with all the adults in the different sections of their lives. For example, they chat happily to the childminder and her family about their parents, grandparents or playgroup staff. There is a good two-way flow of information between parents and the childminder as they discuss each child's development and the day's events over a coffee. Parents' questionnaires confirm that their children benefit from the homely environment and the trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. Links with other early years providers are also beneficial to the children in relation to their care and learning. The childminder's effective links with the local childminding group and the local authority provides additional opportunities for her own development and an increased range of activities and outings for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are inspired and motivated in the busy family environment. Older children rush in excitedly from pre-school and quickly find themselves something interesting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to do whilst the childminder prepares lunch. Children benefit greatly from the free access to the garden; they develop strong exploratory senses and they enjoy being active in the fresh air in all weathers. The childminder provides healthy snacks and meals that include a good amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, and she reminds children to take a drink when they have been active. Children have good appetites and develop pleasant table manners. They sleep or rest peacefully and concentrate well at their play because they are well nourished and effectively hydrated. A high level of independence is encouraged. Consequently, older children put their own coats and shoes on and off with the minimum of adult support. Children are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouraged and highly motivated to try again because of the warm praise they receive for using a spoon or for trying to wipe their own noses. This approach carries through to children's development in all areas of learning. For example, they beam with pride at the praise for recognising the numbers on the tape measure, noticing similarities and differences as they play in the sand or handling the books carefully. Children play and work well together. There is a busy, yet pleasant, learning environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A key strength of the educational provision is in the childminder's clear knowledge about children's individual needs, their personal interests and their family lifestyles. This is sometimes a difficult balancing act when the children attending vary considerably in age, aptitudes and care needs. The childminder works closely with parents and other providers and she successfully reads children's behaviour. She, therefore, knows when children either need extra rest, extra focus on their mathematical development, or simply when extra vigilance is needed in relation to their safety. The childminder's flexible approach to planning activities means that older children absorb themselves for some time as they measure the furniture with the retractable tape measure, proudly talking about the number and size. Others take an impromptu nap as they snuggle comfortably on her lap with a book.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Freely chosen activities and well planned outings successfully address all areas of learning and children's interests. Effective risk assessment, including an assessment of children's individual needs, opens up a wealth of learning opportunities at local stately homes and gardens, the beach or museums in nearby Hull. Children's folders show the pictures they have made about their museum trip; photographs and observations show children's increasing confidence in their learning across all areas. Most liaison with parents and other providers about children's development is verbal and very effective; parents confirm their great satisfaction with this system. They feel that they get good feedback on how their children are progressing and the childminder acts on information that she receives from other providers. The childminder is now beginning to keep a record of her observations and assessments of children's development to make information

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sharing easier and even more focused about children's individual learning and development. However, at the time of the inspection, the observations in the folders were not very well organised and the childminder had not started to share these with parents and other providers. 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

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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