Childminder in North YorkshireOfsted inspection, 26 Aug 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 EY258384 Inspection date 26/08/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 husband and grown up children on the outskirts of Harrogate. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time and is currently providing care for two children in the early years age group and none in the compulsory childcare group. She is registered to care for a maximum of seven children when working with a registered assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest. She has a dog as a family pet.

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Description of the childminding

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. A top priority for the childminder is the welfare of children. She ensures she knows each child very well and works very closely with parents to ensure children develop a strong sense of belonging and that an inclusive service is provided. However, links with other agencies are not yet developed. Children delight in their time at the setting and are making good progress in their learning. However, information in the profiles is still in the early stages and limited. Children access a very varied and exciting range of experiences, through a very good selection of toys and activities on offer, which enriches their overall development. Effective steps are taken by the childminder to evaluate her practice and this gives an accurate reflection of the identified areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review policies and procedures to reflect changes to new legislation  continue to develop systems to help identify children’s starting points, progress and plans for their next steps in learning  develop links with other agencies in preparation for the children accessing further provision This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has good measures in place to ensure children's safety and these are well supported by a comprehensive risk assessment, which includes procedures for all areas of the home, garden and any outings. A safeguarding policy is in place and the childminder is clear about reporting procedures to ensure children are well protected at all times. The childminder ensures that all visitors to the provision sign in a book and all identification is checked, before entering.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of working closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. To achieve this, she talks with them daily and sends home a daily diary, so parents can feel involved in their child's day. Parents receive regular newsletters and also complete questionnaires, where all the comments are very positive. However, links with other agencies are still to be developed. All required policies and procedures are in place, although some are not in line with new legislation. Parents can access the children's profiles and photographic evidence and contribute to these. However, information relating to children's starting points and their next steps are not identified and planning is in the early stages.

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provision

The childminder has a good commitment to providing a quality service and has started to use self-evaluation effectively to identify areas for development. She has also attended a range of training which includes the Introduction to Childminding Practice course, first aid and safeguarding children. She has fully addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection to improve the children's opportunities to learn about different customs and beliefs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is well promoted because they have good routines for practices, such as hand washing and she explains to them why this is important. They have snacks of fruit and help themselves to easily accessible drinks, so they learn to recognise their own needs well. Parents supply packed lunches but children enjoy cooking and shopping activities, so they learn about healthy food and lifestyles.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder spends time talking to children about being safe and explaining hazards to them, so they learn to be responsible for their own safety. She also has in place a range of measures to ensure this, such as socket covers and smoke detectors, which are wired into the mains supply. When they are on trips, she teaches children about the Green Cross Code, so they learn how to keep themselves safe and children also take part in the evacuation procedure, which is practised and recorded regularly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Within the home, space is well organised to enable children to choose their activities using a wide selection of easily accessible and identified resources, this promotes their confidence. For example, children access musical instruments, jigsaws and a wide selection of books. The children also access an outdoor area. There is an area fenced off for the younger children where they can play with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 small rockers, a slide, sit and rides and a sand pit. Older children can access a larger area where they have a good selection of toys and activities available to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play independently, accessing jigsaws and with the childminder's help, younger children identify the characters in the jigsaw. The childminder interacts well with the children and together they identify letters of the alphabet and also the colours of the different letters. The childminder encourages children to paint with water on a magic mat and the children hold the painting brush confidently and proceed to paint the dolls with water and the childminder asks the children if they are bathing the babies. Children of all ages play well together, older children explaining to the younger ones that the pretend eggs are too big to go in the small pan and encourage them to count how many pans there are on the toy cooker and also to share the pretend pizza with each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of making sure all children are included in activities and adapting these if required. For example, children can play with large and small construction, picture and story books, depending on their age and stage of development. Children also enjoy trips out into the local community and acknowledge a range of festivals, so they learn about diversity and the wider world. The childminder keeps a collection of photographs of children on outings to farms, soft play areas, playing outside in the snow and dressing up, children love looking at these and parents can also access these. 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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