Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY338388 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Julie Morrison

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 was registered in 2006. She works alongside her mother who is her registered assistant. She provides childcare from the home of the registered assistant in Marske-on-Sea, Redcar. The other household members include the childminder's father. The whole of the ground floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8.00am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When caring for children with her assistant, she may care for no more than six children in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years old to 11 years old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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

Children are happy and settled as the childminder provides a welcoming and friendly environment. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion and this is evident throughout all aspects of her practice. Children benefit from a wide range of fun activities which cover all areas of learning and are based on children's interests and needs. As a result, they are making good progress towards the early learning goals. All documentation required to promote the safe and effective management of the provision is in place. Good systems have been established to monitor and evaluate practice as a result, the childminder has a clear understanding of her areas for further development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop planning of creative activities to ensure that they provide opportunities to value children's own ideas  plan and resource the outdoor environment to ensure that it provides a stimulating and challenging environment for all children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision well. She has effective procedures in place to ensure that all adults in the home have had all checks to ensure their suitability. A detailed range of policies and procedures are in place, which are regularly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 updated and used to effectively safeguard children. For example, medication, confidentiality and safeguarding children. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow, should she have any concerns. Detailed risk assessments along with daily visual checks of all areas ensures that risks to children are minimised. All documentation required to promote the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place, for example, consent to obtain emergency medical treatment. This is combined with an up-to-date first aid certificate to ensure that the childminder is able to

p.4

the early years provision

respond effectively to any accidents. The childminder shares and discusses all policies and procedures with her assistant, to ensure that she is fully up to date with procedures to follow to safeguard children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. She works closely from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs, for example, using 'All about Me' forms to gather information about children's starting points. Parents are invited for introductory meetings, where the childminder discusses how she works and shares all relevant policies and procedures. Consequently, they are well informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up to date about their child's learning and care through the effective use of daily information sheets and verbal feedback. Parents are able to get involved in children's learning, as the childminder ensures that they have regular access to their developmental files. She gathers information from nursery in order to ensure continuity of learning for children. For example, she follows up a nursery visit to the museum, drawing pictures of dinosaurs. The childminder is

p.5

the early years provision

beginning to introduce procedures to share information about children's individual learning and development with them, however these are in their infancy.

p.5

the early years provision

Effective procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the provision. This includes discussing practice with her assistant and other childminders, using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and responding to feedback from parents. As a result, the childminder is aware of her areas for development. All recommendations from the previous inspection have been positively addressed and implemented. For example, effective procedures are in place to record medication and fire drills are now regularly carried out. This helps to promote outcomes for children. Children's play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The children benefit from a dedicated play room, where they can access a wide range of toys and resources independently. Displays of colourful photographs and examples of the children's work helps to promote a welcoming environment, promotes self-esteem and helps to develop a sense of belonging for

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements effective procedures to identify children's starting points and to make sensitive observations of children as they learn and play. These are used to identify next steps in the children's development and to inform future planning. The children have good access to a wide range of resources and these are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 complemented by trips to places of interest, such as local libraries and toddler groups. This helps to provide children with good opportunities to socialise with their peers. A balance of adult and child-initiated activities, ensures that children are engaged in purposeful play, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity. This is supported by colourful posters, resources and planned activities, such as

p.5

and outcomes for children

celebrating Diwali. Children clearly enjoy creative activities, including play dough, painting and colouring. The childminder supports their learning as she encourages them to identify the colours of the paints and talks about what happens if they mix them, 'look mine has gone brown' the children exclaim. However, some of the creative activities do not fully support children to further develop their own ideas, for example, providing pre-cut shapes to colour and paint. Children have regular opportunities for problem solving, as they complete jigsaws and build with blocks. For example, babies try to copy building tower blocks and laugh as they knock them down. Both the childminder and her assistant further develop children's learning, as they make good use of questioning, for example, encouraging children to count how many blocks and identify their colours.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's communication skills are fostered well, resulting in positive interactions between themselves and the childminder and her assistant. They sing along confidently with well known nursery rhymes, copying the actions and enthusiastically joining in with musical instruments of their choice. The children are developing positive relationships with each other and with the childminder and her assistant. For example, they confidently go to them for support, exclaiming, 'I would like you to help me' and take an interest in the activities their friends are involved in. The childminder acts as a positive role model, encouraging children to help with tidy up time and to share with one another. This helps to promote children learning right from wrong. Children have some opportunities to develop their information, communication and technology (ICT) skills, for example, using toy lap tops, programmable toys and accessing computers at the library. This helps

p.6

and outcomes for children

them to begin to develop skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well by the childminder. They have regular opportunities for physical play, for example, going to the park or playing in the garden. However, resources in the garden do not fully promote a challenging environment for older children. Planned activities, such as going to the supermarket to select fruit helps children to learn about the importance of a healthy diet. This is further supported by providing a range of healthy meals, which are clearly displayed on the weekly menu. Consistent daily routines, such as hand washing and the use of individual hand towels helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children are kept safe at the setting, as the childminder has a good range of appropriate safety equipment and procedures in place. For example, keeping external doors locked, using stair gates and recording all accidents and medication. Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping themselves

p.6

and outcomes for children

safe, for example, they discuss and practice road safety and carry out regular fire drills. 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