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 EY288273 Inspection date 07/08/2009 Inspector Rachael Flesher

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and two years in a semi-detached house on the Eastfield Estate, on the outskirts of Knaresborough. The whole of the ground floor, bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a level three certificate in childminding practice and a First Diploma in caring.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to self-evaluation and continuous improvement. Current systems are effective in ensuring plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children. Good information sharing systems are in place with parents to ensure both parties are well informed, but are not yet fully developed with other providers. Parents are confident that their children are settled, safe, enjoying themselves and achieving well at the setting. The childminder recognises and provides for all children's needs, and promotes their welfare and learning with success. As a result, all children are supported and making good progress in their learning and development.

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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 for using observations to further identify and plan the next steps in children's learning and development, to ensure play and learning opportunities are personally motivating and meaningful to them, and to further demonstrate children's progress to parents and others  continue to develop systems to share information with other settings where children attend, to further ensure continuity in their learning and care and support during times of transition

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provision

The childminder has very organised systems in place to ensure all children are included, safeguarded, their welfare promoted and their needs met. All the documentation, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage are in place, implemented, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reviewed and effectively shared with parents. Risks are assessed and minimised and children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow if she had concerns about a child, and accesses information through the local safeguarding children board to ensure she is up to date. Recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed to further ensure children's safety and welfare.

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provision

The childminder has begun to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form as an ongoing reflective tool to evaluates all areas of her practice and provision. The views of parents are also meaningfully sought and acted on, and the childminder is currently developing a system for gathering the views of the children. She reflects on her professional development needs and has booked on relevant training provided by the local authority to address these. As a result, the childminder has a clear understanding of her strengths and plans for further improvement are in place to ensure continuous improvement.

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provision

Full use is made of extended services, for example, those provided by the local children centre. The childminder takes children to regular drop ins and fun days, uses the sensory room, attends professional practice evenings, and is aware of the services available to parents. Parents are fully informed and involved in the provision and their child's learning and care, through the information made available and the daily diaries in place. They are very happy with the quality of care their children receive and the progress they are making. The childminder has made links with other settings where children attend and gathers information about current topics and events so she is informed of what the children are doing. However, systems for sharing information about each child's development and needs are not yet fully developed to ensure continuity in their learning and care and support during times of transition.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has worked hard to develop systems to ensure children's learning, development and welfare is effectively promoted. Children are developing a good understanding of how to be safe and healthy. They know to zip up the net on the trampoline when they get inside, and that only one child is allowed on at a time. At snack time children wash their hands and sit together at the table, enjoying their food and each other's company. They make healthy choices, as they select orange and banana along with a plain biscuit and ask for more orange when it has all gone. Children are well behaved and are forming friendships and learning to take turns, share and compromise. They are developing positive attitudes to diversity and difference and a wide range of resources are available to promote discussion. Their independence is fostered well

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as children are supported to take care of their personal care needs and are given small task to do, such as helping to tidy up and putting on their own shoes. Achievements are celebrated, all are included, and warm, caring relationships between the childminder and the children, are established.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses the detailed information sought from parents, and her own This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations, to help children settle and to identify their stages of development, interests and individual needs. These are provided for through the good range of resources and activities available, that challenge children and effectively promote their good development across the six areas of learning. The childminder also plans interesting topics to further engage children and to give focus to their learning opportunities, which stem from the observed interests of children or predictable interests, such as seasons and celebrations. Each child has a file containing a range of photographs and observations. The childminder uses these, along with their daily diaries, to show parents what their child enjoys doing at the setting and to record significant moments and achievements. She also has an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effective system in place for tracking all children's progress towards the early learning goals. However, these current systems, do not fully demonstrate to parents and others, how the children's interests and next steps in learning and development are identified and planned for, to ensure play and learning opportunities are personally motivating and meaningful to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated play and learning opportunities across the six areas of learning. They enjoy mark making and show great pencil control as they colour their pictures and creatively explore the different sounds of the musical bells. Children show great confidence and interest in information and communication technology as they watch the slide show of themselves on the digital photograph frame and work the portable DVD player. The childminder is skilful at taking the children's lead and encouraging them to make choices, and children confidently move around the setting choosing resources that interest them. The request a game from the playroom and use their nets with skill and purpose to catch the coloured butterflies as they float in the air, with great delight. They ask if they can play outdoors, where very good use is made of the available space and resources on a daily basis.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They enjoy showing the inspector the guinea pigs, bouncing on the trampoline, digging in the sand and role-playing in the playhouse. The childminder also uses the local library, toddlers groups, parks and countryside walks to provide further learning and development opportunities for children. 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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