Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY388977 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Rosemary Beyer

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their three children aged 15 years, 10 years and six years old at Balby in Doncaster. There is also a family pet dog on the premises. The whole of the ground floor is available for childminding, which includes the kitchen/dining area, lounge and conservatory. There is a toilet on the ground floor and secure gardens to both front and rear. The premises are accessible via one step to the front door. The setting is close to schools, pre-school provision, play areas and shops.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in March 2009 to provide care for five children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for seven children in total of whom five are in the early years age group. All children attend part time. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The excellent knowledge the childminder has of each child's individual needs ensures she promotes all aspects of the child's welfare and learning successfully. Children are safe and secure at all times and enjoy learning about their local area and the wider world around them. Partnership with parents, local nurseries and playgroups and an awareness of other agencies ensures the children's needs are met and they receive any additional support they need. This means they make good progress given their age, starting points and abilities.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Although she has not yet started to use a formal self-evaluation process the childminder has started to plan for future improvements and has taken steps to obtain further childcare training to enable her to enhance the care the children receive. She also keeps a record of new resources, either suggested by the children or from her own observations of their play and their interests. Regular discussions with parents and children also ensure she is aware of their views, so she can adapt the service she provides to meet their needs.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further develop resources and activities which widen children's awareness of diversity  further develop the self-evaluation process to clearly identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development which will improve the quality of care for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has developed a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. These are made available to parents when minding starts so they understand how she will care for their children. They also receive and complete contracts, and provide information about their children in their 'All about me' books to ensure the childminder can take account of the children's individual needs.

p.5

the early years provision

Formal self-evaluation procedures are not yet in place but the childminder discusses her practice with parents to gauge their satisfaction with the care she provides. Letters of recommendation have also been written and suggestions for resources and future activities listed. Children are also consulted on a regular basis and asked for their views. They like to suggest toys she buys, plan special activities for school holidays and help with menus.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very safety conscious, ensuring only authorised persons have access to the children by the implementation of a comprehensive safeguarding policy and that the risk assessments she has completed effectively reduce hazards. These are regularly reviewed and daily safety checks implemented before children arrive. She also provides opportunities for children to learn about safety and how to protect themselves, both on the premises and when out in the community. They practise fire drills and are familiar with the evacuation procedure.

p.5

the early years provision

Children have a wide range of learning opportunities while in the childminder's care, which cover all the areas of learning. Resources to raise their awareness of diversity are still somewhat limited, although they do learn about some different countries, have posters on display and books available. The childminder plans activities but then adapts the programme to meet children's individual needs and wishes or to take advantage of unexpected events, such as large puddles in the wood after heavy rain. Through effective recording and assessment she is able to monitor their development, provide additional challenge, and encourage their independence by allowing them to select and suggest what they wish to do. The individual records show the children's starting points, what they have achieved and the next steps to ensure they make good progress. Children are happy to discuss the photographs and samples of work in their files, and parents value the record of

p.5

and outcomes for children

Each child is treated as an individual when in the childminder's care. She knows their likes and dislikes and has a good knowledge of their family and any different cultural or social needs they may have. They learn to develop independence and confidence in the positive encouraging environment she provides, with clear house rules in place to manage their behaviour. The children present during the inspection behaved very well, sharing, cooperating and taking turns with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources. They are able to select things for themselves and also to make suggestions for activities which promote their own interests, for example, one of the children is interested in insects and the natural world. She discussed how she used a magnifying glass to look at a woodlouse when out in the woods, but also how she felt scared when her boots were stuck in the muddy puddle and she could

p.5

and outcomes for children

Parents are very much included in the childminder's setting and are very happy with the care she provides. They exchange information on a regular basis to ensure children are happy when they are left and that the childminder can provide consistent care. The children's individual development files contain photographs, observations and samples of work which enable parents and carers to see how the children are progressing and show they achieve well in all areas of learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have access to a wide range of resources designed to support their learning and development but also providing an enjoyable experience with the childminder and their peers. The indoor play space is child friendly with comfortable furniture and easily accessible resources. Photographs and posters decorate the walls and books are well presented for children to help themselves. They have access to an outside area each day and make visits into the local community to develop their confidence and social skills. They also become aware of the local school, nursery and different agencies within the community through visits to the Children's Centre. The childminder plans activities but adapts them to support the individual children and their interests or needs. She monitors their development effectively and uses her next step planning to help the children make progress, while ensuring parents are aware if she has any concerns.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has experience of how children learn and the different rates of progress they may make. She provides challenging activities which keep them interested and keen to learn. Activities cover all areas of learning and the childminder is aware that each activity she provides may reflect on more than one area. For example, she and the children talked about baking and decorating buns. The children saw an enjoyable activity, while she looked at it as both a fun and learning experience, which developed their knowledge and understanding of the world, social skills and physical dexterity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8