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 400754 Inspection date 02/07/2009 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 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 grown-up family. They live in a terrace town house situated in the centre of Scarborough. Childminding facilities are easily accessible being on the ground floor; there is an additional bathroom and a designated bedroom on the first floor. There is a yard and patio at the rear of the house for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. There are links with a local school where children are collected from and taken to.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2001 and may care for six children under eight. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and currently has three children on roll in this age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. At the time of inspection there was one 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. Some aspects are very good. Children are very happy in the homely environment and they benefit from trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. She works very closely with parents to make sure that children's changing needs continue to be met. A lthough there is no systemised approach to self-evaluation, the childminder is generally aware of her strengths and is able to identify relevant areas for improvement. She offers a range of interesting play opportunities that help children to make progress in all areas of learning, although systems to monitor children's learning and development are unclear.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for monitoring children's learning and planning for their continued development, linking with other Early Years Foundation Stage settings where appropriate  develop a systemised approach to critically evaluate the overall quality of the provision to ensure continued improvements

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that there is a record of risk assessments, for the premises and for each outing, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 31/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Although there is no systematic approach to evaluating the quality of the provision for children, the childminder talks to other childminders, reads relevant publications and continues to attend training. This means that, on the whole, she keeps herself informed of childcare issues and has a general awareness of what she needs to improve. She loves working with the children and greatly enjoys their company. She is very confident in her ability to keep the children safe and healthy, but acknowledges that she has found part of the learning and development requirements a little confusing. The childminder welcomes the inspection process as an important part of her professional development and has addressed all recommendations previously raised. Organisational matters such as documentation and routines are well organised and used successfully to promote children's health and safety. Most necessary records are kept up-to-date and safety routines are

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provision

well rehearsed and understood by children. However, there are no records of risk assessment, this is a breach of regulation. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children's wellbeing. She has attended child protection training in the past and shares relevant policies with parents; she also keeps all related guidance and contact numbers on file should she have concerns about the children.

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provision

There is good clear information for parents in the form of policies and procedures, although the childminder places much more emphasis on effective verbal liaison and strong relationships. She works carefully with parents to help children as their needs change, sometimes on a daily basis. There is a good two-way flow of information about children's care and development every day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled and are treated as valued family members. They benefit greatly from the positive relationships with the childminder and her family. For example, they snuggle comfortably with her as they wake from their nap, have fun playing with her grown-up daughter and cheerfully wave her husband off to work. The childminder's daughter also happily and kindly helps younger children with the computer. The childminder's warm, caring nature and the effective use of praise and encouragement mean that children are motivated to practise their developing skills and they demonstrate very pleasant manners. They beam with pride as they are praised for remembering to say 'please,' making shapes in the sand and for practising their new words. They are therefore confident and motivated in all aspects of their learning and development. They enjoy experimenting with the sand and water or observing balls as they roll down

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the slope and they develop good language skills. They know that what they have to offer is valued by the childminder. The layout of the premises and equipment means that children can easily choose from a good range of activities indoors and outdoors.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge of child development and she knows the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in her care intimately. She interprets her observations of children effectively so that she meets their changing care needs. For example, she immediately recognises when it would be better for the younger children to have a nap before lunch rather than afterwards. This means that children are effectively refreshed and eat well and can therefore concentrate better at their play. The childminder is developing her confidence in the Early Years Foundation Stage and she knows how children progress in all areas of learning through their self chosen play. She engages them in conversation about their play so that they can order their thoughts and begin to use simple mathematical language to talk about size, shape or colour as they play. However, systems for monitoring children's progress

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and identifying their next steps are not consistent for all children in the early years age group; there is little liaison about this with other early years settings that children attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn a great deal about how to keep themselves safe on their way to school or at the beach. They also know how to leave the childminder's house quickly in the event of an emergency because routines are well rehearsed by all. Children learn to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They have great fun exercising their muscles and developing their physical skills in the yard or at the park and beach and they know why they need to wear a hat in the hot sun. Children's health also benefits from their healthy diet and the childminder reminds them to drink regularly as they play. Well nourished and effectively hydrated, children enjoy being active in the fresh air and are very good humoured. 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? 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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