Childminder in York

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355587 Inspection date 03/12/2009 Inspector Lindsay Helen Dobson

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2007. She lives in the Tanghall area of York with her partner and their two children aged eight and three years. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property for childminding purposes and this consists of a lounge with dining area, kitchen and toilet facilities. There is an 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 the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently seven children on roll of which, five are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The family have tropical fish, gold fish, two guinea pigs and a rabbit. The property is located near local primary schools, parks, shops and library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises each child’s individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice so that children feel secure and valued. She has established good working relationships with parents and this ensures children's individual needs are well-met. The childminder deploys her resources well and provides a broad range of stimulating learning opportunities for each child, which enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families. All the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children’s welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems to record observations and assessments of children's development, therefore, enabling parents to clearly see their children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well-organised; clear documentation and good record keeping promote the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. Thorough safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children are fully protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children and has good supporting documents to ensure her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge is up-to-date and this means children are kept safe from harm. Risk assessments are clear and detailed to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised; rigorous daily checks further improve children’s safety. The childminder carefully supervises children as they play, making sure her home is completely secure so that children cannot leave unattended.

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the early years provision

The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home, ensuring that they are happy and feel secure to be left in her care. She has very good relationships with parents and gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's individual needs and can provide a consistency of care. Positive feedback demonstrates parents high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. Clear written policies and procedures are shared with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. Daily diaries support the childminder's informative, daily discussions with the parents, therefore ensuring the two way flow of information is fully effective. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). For example, she works hard to ensure successful transition for children into school. She has supporting policy

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the early years provision

documentation and she plans activities which include the children from the local school, such as a visit form the fire service.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised and children are able to choose from a wide selection of resources, helping them to develop choice and independence. The childminder knows the children very well and plans for their individual interests and requirements. She ensures that there is a good balance of child initiated play which she actively supports and adult led activities which she plans in advance, such as outings to local museums and baking activities. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards equality and diversity. A good range of resources are accessible and include those promoting positive images of diversity and disability, such resources are extended through visits to the local toy library. Children are developing a positive self-esteem and a confidence in their own abilities due to the continual support and encouragement of the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder continues to develop her skills and knowledge to promote better outcomes for children. This is demonstrated in her commitment to attending relevant training and a recent award of a capitol grant to enhance her outdoor provision and information technology resources. She demonstrates a positive approach to improvements and has successfully addressed the recommendations raised at her previous inspection. She is continually reflecting on her practice, demonstrating an ability to evaluate her own strengths and areas for development. The childminder is beginning to implement additional systems, such as the use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form to further promote continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of children’s individual abilities and interests. Children enjoy the activities with the childminder and they take part in a wide range of play opportunities that help them to learn and develop. Planning is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in place and is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on and extend children’s interests. The childminder records each child’s achievements through written observations in her own diary and the daily diaries of individual children. She has also recently introduced a scrapbook for each child which contains photographs of them at play. Although, the childminder observes and assesses children and plans for their next steps, enabling her to demonstrate that children are making good progress. The current system does not keep children's individual information together in one place to allow parents to clearly see their children's progress

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's homely setting and have developed very close relationships with her, chatting away to her as they play. Their capacity to achieve within the setting is good and they enjoy the varied range of activities and resources available to them. The childminder is on hand to support and extend children's learning, for example she asks them questions and introduces new vocabulary. Children move around the childminder's home freely and safely, as all areas they access, are child friendly, with space to develop their independence in a secure and safe environment. A flexible range of activities are provided, which include art and craft, messy play, construction and educational toys and games, developing their skills for the future. The children enjoy cooking and baking on a regular basis, for example, making flapjacks. They share the experience of weighing and measuring the ingredients together, under the

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and outcomes for children

Whilst playing with play dough the childminder talks to the children about the shapes they are making and introduces concepts of colour, shape and number to the activity. Children’s early literacy skills are developing well. They make links to letters and sounds as they recognise which letter their name begins with. Their early writing skills are developing well as they are provided with lots of resources and activities to help develop their small muscle skills. Children's physical and large motor skills are actively promoted each day. Children enjoy play in the childminder's fully secure garden with a varied range of equipment. They go to local parks where they practise their climbing and balancing skills. They enjoy walks to feed the ducks and are regularly taken further afield by the childminder as they visit the railway museum and seaside. Children develop a good understanding of their local community as they attend a wide range of groups including the local

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and outcomes for children

childrens centre. Their social skills are enhanced through accessing these groups and through the interactions they have with other registered childminders and their minded children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively reduces the spread of infection through helping children to follow simple hand washing procedures and by maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. She is a good role model, following a clear policy and encouraging all children to practise their hygiene routines throughout the day. Children benefit from the childminder’s good understanding of healthy eating, receiving a variety of nutritious meals and healthy snacks and a supply of fresh drinks to meet their needs. The childminder demonstrates consistent behaviour management strategies, which are shared with parents through a written policy document. Children are learning to play both independently and cooperatively, with the childminder’s continual encouragement. She ensures children receive lots This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of positive praise for their achievements and encourages them to behave nicely,

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and outcomes for children

respect each other and use good manners. Children's awareness of keeping themselves safe is continually promoted by the childminder as they learn to evacuate the home in an emergency. They are encouraged to make judgements about when they think the road is safe to cross and they routinely tidy up the toys to make the play area safe. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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