Childminder in East Riding of YorkshireOfsted inspection, 6 Apr 2009

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 EY371066 Inspection date 06/04/2009 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 cares for children in the family home which she shares with her husband and teenage daughter. They live in a semi-detached house in Bridlington. All childminding facilities are easily accessible being situated on the ground floor. There is also an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family keep a dog on the premises although this rarely comes into contact with children. The childminder lives within walking distance of local schools and pre-schools and is willing to collect children by arrangement. Minded children are not usually transported by car. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since May 2008 and may care for up to five children under eight. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder is also included on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. At the time of inspection there were no older children attending in relation to this part of her registration.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. At the time of the inspection, the childminder had only been caring for children for a few weeks and weaknesses are mainly connected to systems which are not yet fully tested. However, in a short time, the childminder has been very proactive in getting to know the children and their families very well so that she can meet their individual care and learning needs. She is beginning to establish relationships with other providers. Although there is, as yet, no systemised approach to evaluating the provision, the childminder already has highly relevant ideas for improving outcomes for children. She provides interesting activities and outings that help young children to make progress in all areas of learning, yet sensibly acknowledges her lack of experience and training in this.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems to assess and promote children's development in all areas of learning linking with other Early Years Providers where appropriate  continue to develop systems to evaluate the facilities and overall provision critically, including within this the indoor and outdoor learning environment  ensure that children have daily opportunities to play and learn in the outdoors. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Although not childminding for very long, the childminder has already realised that children are not able to access her garden easily and is implementing plans to remedy this. She is also making good use of links with the local authority and the local childminding group for training and development. She has attended all training as required by her local authority which means that she has a good understanding of the more important childcare issues. For example, she has attending safeguarding training and heeded advice on appropriate procedures. This means that children are safeguarded and their welfare protected. Documentation is very well organised, for example, attendance records and children's details are professionally maintained and all guidance is effectively filed. A clear range of policies is available to parents to explain the childminder's approach to such matters as behaviour management, equal opportunities or

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provision

business arrangements. The childminder is developing friendly and professional relationships with parents and carers. Daily information for parents about their children is mostly verbal, although systems are in place to convey important information about accidents or medication in writing. The indoor premises are suitably arranged for childminding with accessible low level storage for the play equipment and a handily placed downstairs toilet so that children can develop their independence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is an effective settling in process and the childminder has a high level of knowledge about children's individual needs. Consequently, children are very happy and relaxed in the care of the childminder and they benefit from the warm trusting relationships with her and her family. Children approach the childminder confidently when they want another drink or particular play equipment. They snuggle comfortably with the childminder or her teenage daughter for a story. This creates a positive emotional environment where children make progress and are motivated to learn. The childminder is proactive in engaging young children in conversation. She chats to them about their play and includes them in the inspection process so that they know that they are valued and their thoughts respected. She uses praise and encouragement successfully to manage children's behaviour. Consequently, young children are relaxed, confident and very well

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

behaved. They learn to play very well together, they are proud of the warm praise they receive for playing nicely together and for saying 'please' and 'thank you.'

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an understanding about the six areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage and she provides activities and outings based around the EYFS that all children can access and enjoy. She helps older children to count as they play the dice game and encourages younger children to practice their language skills. She uses the local childminding group effectively to further broaden the learning opportunities for the children. The childminder has started to carry out sensitive observations of children as they play, to establish what they know and can do. This assessment system is already identifying potential ways of helping children to make good progress, however, it is not yet fully operational This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 across all areas of learning. Similarly, systems to link with some other early years providers are not yet fully in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The indoor learning environment is organised so that children can access most areas of learning freely as they express themselves in their play. There is a particularly nice range of books that children can access easily and often throughout the day, children learn to enjoy books and stories and they handle them well. Older children enjoy helping themselves to the bricks and absorb themselves with the construction work for some time. Younger children have fun exploring the items in the lidded boxes. Children express themselves freely with the musical instruments and confidently sing along as they play. Access to the adjacent garden, however, is a limited. Although children enjoy walks to the park in better weather, their enjoyment of leading an active, healthy lifestyle is not fully promoted and the childminder has not considered all areas of learning in an outdoor context. There are missed opportunities for children to access the wealth

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of exploratory opportunities in the outdoors.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to use risk assessment effectively to open up interesting outings for the children. Children learn to keep themselves safe on the train rides to nearby towns and the childminder gives them clear explanations about playing safely together. This promotes a high level of safety for children both in the care of the childminder, and in the wider environment. The childminder provides healthy meals and snacks and encourages pleasant table manners. She is also proactive in reminding the children to drink their water regularly when it is warm indoors. Effectively hydrated and well nourished, children rest peacefully, they are good humoured and concentrate at their play. 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? 3

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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? 3 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: 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 registration.

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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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