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 EY273554 Inspection date 17/07/2009 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

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 2003. She lives with her family in Burniston which is near to the town of Scarborough. She is close to the local school and pre- school. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding, there is a rear enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding 13 children of whom six are in the early years range, all attend part time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. The childminder 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 good. Children's individual needs are fully supported and valued by the childminder who effectively promotes their health, safety and welfare. The childminder promotes the six areas of learning very well through her informed approach which engages the children to be motivated and interested in what they do. There are regular opportunities for the children to be actively engaged in their community and to support children and their families in other parts of the world. The childminder reflects on her practice and this enables her to review the care and learning provided and to develop her skills further through training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process in which observations and assessments for individual children are recorded to further extend the areas of learning.

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provision

The childminder provides a range of well presented and detailed information which reflects the childminder's positive approach and practice, all are fully shared with parents. This includes detailed policies and procedures, records and other related documentation, these are all regularly reviewed and updated. The childminder's commitment to meeting both the parents and children's needs is exemplary. This is a key strength and ensures a flexible and professional approach by the childminder to continue to support them in what she does. Time is provided for parents on a daily basis to discuss their child's day with the childminder. There are options to use other forms of communication, such as texts to ensure information is shared with parents. The children's portfolios provide them with photographs and details This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of their children's various activities and learning opportunities. The comments

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provision

received from parents are very positive on the excellent care, activities and learning taking place and the ongoing support provided by the childminder. The childminder has established good links with the local playgroup and school which provide the opportunity to discuss the children's learning and development, to ensure a more consistent and shared approach. The childminder and children attend the school assembly each week and pre-visits with parents prior to them starting school. This partnership promotes the children's needs to enable them to feel secure and informed about their move onto school.

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provision

The childminder has recently updated her safeguarding training and this is reflected in her review of her policy which links to the current guidelines. She shares this fully with parents to ensure they know her role and responsibility in relation to protecting the children in her care. The childminder is fully aware of the importance to evaluate her practice and to extend her knowledge and skills and to gain a qualification. She has used the self-evaluation document to start and record her practice, to identify her strengths and assess what she needs to improve and develop.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a full range of resources and activities which children are able to make decisions and select from independently, these along with the routines fully support children through the day. The childminder takes time through 'I am special' leaflet from home to settle in the children and this informs her of each child's starting points to build on which is inclusive in approach. Individual portfolio's are in place for each child these contain observations, assessments, photographs and examples of children's work. These provide a wealth of information about what the child has done and the learning taking place in all six areas. This is monitored by the childminder to ensure next steps are identified and learning is extended relevant to each child's needs. This information is used to inform each child's 'on track' record through the year which consolidates what the children have done and the learning achieved. However, the process of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

recording children's observations and assessments is not fully extended to develop a more varied approach by the childminder. Parents are invited to contribute to their children's learning and the childminder has set up a variety of ways to engage parents. This is mainly through more social events, such as to call round to visit when convenient to them to see their children's portfolio's. To have a chat with the childminder about what their children are doing and the learning through play taking place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled with the childminder and this promotes a positive sense of belonging. This is evident in the relationships established and the very good support provided for the children. There are ongoing opportunities for the children to communicate with each other and with the childminder. Children take part in a range of well managed activities and this promotes conversations where the children engage well and discuss confidently what they are doing. The childminder is skilled in asking relevant questions to enable children to respond and take responsibility and make decisions, such as what they want to do next or which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 game to play. Children enjoy stories together and are members of the library the childminder also provides a book lending service for the children to take home. There is a have very good range of props which enhance and engage the children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

in role play and stories. This enables children to discuss aspects of the story and contribute. Children develop knowledge of letters and to think about words staring with the same letter. This transfers to mark making with the children in developing their skills through a variety of mediums and opportunities to write, such as their name. The children count, such as how many fruit are collected and this is done confidently by the children. This is further extended through the variety of games and everyday activities which enable children to become familiar with numbers and how these link to objects; to use language which promotes simple problem solving, such as how many more are needed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a variety of creative activities where they paint and print with a good selection of materials and resources which ensure children are engaged. They make collages, glue and stick and use scissors and their work is valued and displayed or taken home. Children have regular outings in the local area and use public transport as part of their experience. They visit the childminder's beach chalet, the local farm and woods and on occasion go swimming. Children have regular music and singing which they enjoy and accompany themselves with musical instruments. Children are enthusiastic in their baking activities, such as bread, watching it rise and then prepare it for the oven. Children love to be outside and have daily opportunities to be active and extend their physical skills, to be in the rain, splashing in the puddles. Children have excellent opportunities to be part of their community, to visit other provisions which extends the children's social

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

skills. The childminder's informed approach and positive understanding of inclusion, diversity and discrimination ensures the children are actively involved and aware of the wider world. The childminder and the children sponsor and support other children in other countries; to collect resources to send to different communities which build positive links in the sharing of the different cultures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have daily snacks provided by the childminder and these offer a very good balance and range of healthy options which the children enjoy tasting and eating. Positive routines enable the children to manage their personal care well and the childminder has clear guidelines of minimising cross infection which are shared with parents. Children through their activities are made aware of safety, this includes in the tools and equipment used, they help to tidy up and put away. This enhances their levels of risk taking in a secure way. They are informed and participate in the evacuation process, and how to cross the road safely together. Children's behaviour is well managed as the childminder is a positive role model through her calm and caring attitude. She is highly supportive to the children in all what they do and the children are aware of the importance of using their manners, to share and play well together. They are confident to ask for help as they require

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and the childminder is very good at engaging the children and in promoting effective praise and encouragement. The quality of care and learning fully supports the children to be confident, self assured and motivated in what they do. 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? 1 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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