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 EY216421 Inspection date 11/06/2009 Inspector Christine Tipple

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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 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, eight and 20, in Brandesburton, Driffield. The ground floor of the childminder's home, and the bathroom on the first floor, are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed outdoor area for the children. The childminder lives close to the school and other local facilities. She uses her car for childminding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She offers care for children aged over five to 12 years old. Currently, she is minding eight children, of whom three are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a hamster as pet.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The children are well cared for by the childminder who provides a welcoming and warm environment. The positive relationships established with the parents ensure children's individual needs and interests are valued and this enables them to make good progress. The childminder fully promotes children's welfare, health and safety, and these are supported overall with relevant policies and procedures. The childminder has reviewed her practice through completing her self-evaluation. This has identified areas to develop, which includes extending her home to provide more play and learning opportunities for the children attending.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all information relating to safeguarding is collated into one policy statement  ensure children's hours of attendance are consistently recorded.

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provision

The childminder provides a range of information for parents which includes a selection of policies and procedures which are monitored to ensure they remain up to date. This also applies to other records and documentation including the risk assessments which the childminder maintains effectively in promoting children's safety and welfare. However, the attendance register for the children is not consistently recorded on a daily basis. Parents share in their children's day-to-day activities and learning opportunities, through the observation files and daily diaries. The childminder uses additional methods such as email to ensure parents have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regular updates in relation to their children. Time is made available by the childminder on a daily basis for discussion with parents which adds to the positive approach to involve and communicate with them; this supports children's ongoing

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provision

needs. Feedback from the parents is through a questionnaire and the 'thank you' cards and letters. These provide very positive comments, parents stating that their children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home and the 'excellent care she consistently provides'. The childminder has developed good links with the school and uses a message book. This is used with parents and the class teacher and is effective in sharing information, which ensures support and continuity in meeting children's needs.

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provision

The childminder has completed her self-evaluation which provides a positive approach to her own self-development and identifies areas to improve upon. These include an extension to the premises to provide more space and provision for the children with ongoing access to the outside facilities. The childminder has attended training in relation to her first aid and safeguarding. This ensures children's well- being and safety are managed effectively. Sufficient information and contact details are in place for the protection of children in her care. However, the information on safeguarding is not collated into one policy statement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are happy and engaged at the childminder's home. She supports and values each child's varied needs and this contributes to the positive relationships she builds with the children. This enables children to settle well and promotes a positive sense of belonging. The childminder has developed her information and resources which provide the children with a good knowledge of the wider world as well as their own community. The good quality resources are accessible and the children can self-select and make choices in what they do. There is a suitable balance of child-led and adult-led activities provided. The babies and toddlers have resources which promote their thinking skills and encourage their interest, such as to push, hold and grasp at objects. The use of tactile materials encourages curiosity and fun. The playing of the touch drums enables children to make different sounds and rhythms. The children enjoy opportunities to be creative,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

such as using paints and crayons. They have tools to cut and to stick with and to make collages. These opportunities to be creative are varied, enabling children to develop their ideas. Children bake and have access to modelling clay. The children plant seeds and grow vegetables, currently peas. They have 'bug hunting' in which the children observe and then identify what they have found. Children enjoy a visit the childminder's allotment, to pick strawberries. They play a variety of games which are fun and support them in their number recognition. The children count as part of their daily activities, such as how many seeds are in the pot and counting toys back into their box.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children visit the local library and choose their own books. Story time and reading together is seen as an important part of the day and the childminder encourages this so that the children enjoy books. The childminder fully supports the children to develop their language skills; this is through positive interaction and encouraging children to respond and discuss what they are doing. Children mark-make with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 various mediums which supports the children to recognise different letters, such as in their name which they write on their work. Children go outside in the garden and on daily walks. They use a range of resources which fully promote their physical skills, such as skittles, sit on rides and the trampoline. The access to the local park provides additional equipment, such as the assault course. The range of tools and equipment enable children to complete a variety of jigsaws, construction

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and road sets, which require children to fix and fit together. The childminder has detailed information on each child's learning and development, which includes observations and assessments and these are supported with photographs and some of the children's work. The childminder identifies areas to develop and enable children to progress. The comprehensive approach used by the childminder ensures children's individual learning is supported in all six areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with snacks and some meals, as discussed with parents. These offer a healthy variety and balance for the children. The childminder is responsive to the children's behaviour; she does not have hard and fast rules but is firm and fair and clear about what is not acceptable. She encourages children to share and take turns. Manners, including table manners, are also a key to good behaviour. There are clear guidelines on the care of children when ill and the exclusion periods required, which are shared with parents in supporting the childminder's approach to minimise cross-infection effectively. Children manage their personal care well and this is supported with appropriate facilities. Safety with the children is managed very well and they are actively involved in the evacuation procedure. This is further enhanced through their daily activities, such as road safety, use of tools and equipment, and taking care when

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

younger children are around. 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

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