Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY387632 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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 has been registered since March 2009. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 13, five and two and a half years. They live in a rural location in a house close to Northallerton. Children have access to most of the ground floor, two bedrooms and the upstairs bathroom. The rear garden is used for outdoor play and the family have a pet dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder cares for children from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 50 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She takes children to regular toddler group and outings and is a member of the local network group and National Childminding Association.

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 childminder has a high level of awareness of the individual needs and interests of the children in her care. She has a good understanding of the areas of learning and uses good systems to plan, observe and assess children's progress. Children have free access to a stimulating, well planned learning environment where the broad range of activities enable them to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children are kept safe and secure, encouraged to be healthy and are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. Effective links have been developed with parents, which ensure that they are kept informed of their child's progress. Although the systems for self-evaluation is a comparatively recent development, it is progressing well and the childminder is able to fully identify strengths and areas for future improvement to the services she provides.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop systems to help identify children's starting points and use observations and assessments of each child to further develop planning of activities for the individual child.

p.4

the early years provision

A wide range of comprehensive policies, procedures and records are effectively implemented. These promote children's health, safety and welfare, and ensure that their individual needs are met very well. The childminder has a solid understanding of the procedures she would follow should she have a safeguarding child concern. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. For example, all adults in the home have been suitably vetted and children's details and consents from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Resources are made available in low level storage containers, with pictures on the front of the boxes which helps children know what is inside. This method enables children to make their own choices and therefore helps to develop their independence. Inclusion is promoted well. For example, babies are able to

p.4

the early years provision

enjoy their meals with older children seated in highchairs at the dining room table, and equipment is adapted to enable younger children to join in with gluing and sticking activities. In addition, children engage happily with resources that help them to appreciate diversity within the community. Comprehensive risk assessments effectively help to ensure that children remain safe, both in the home and on outings.

p.5

the early years provision

Although systematic approaches to self-evaluation and improvement are in the early stages of development, the childminder's attitude and strong commitment to continually improving outcomes for children is very good and she has a clear understanding of where improvements can be made. She attends meetings with other experienced childminders and has booked herself on to a good range of relevant training. The childminder has recently signed up to commence the level 3 in Childcare and Education.

p.5

the early years provision

There are very good, friendly and professional relationships in place with parents. Good quality information is shared on the setting and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). For example, parents receive copies of written policies and procedures and there are posters displayed on the EYFS. Parents complete a detailed 'all about me' booklet prior to their child commencing, however, this information does not focus on children's learning and development. Parents are provided with detailed daily diaries and have access to their children's developmental files. Daily communication with parents keeps them informed about the care, welfare and development of children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere and children thoroughly enjoy their time with her. They enjoy affectionate, sensitive and caring relationships with her and each other and are developing high levels of self- esteem, confidence and trust. Children are making good progress in their learning, as the childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS framework. She record's children's progress and links her observations to the six areas of learning. Assessments show how children are progressing towards the early learning goals, and identify children's next steps in their learning and development. However, although there is informal planning, the childminder is not using her observation and assessments to plan fully for the individual needs of the children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder constantly praises and encourages the children for all their achievements great and small. Her calm, professional manner and genuine attention to children's needs means that they learn to play cooperatively together This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and behave well. They develop good manners with gentle reminders and encouragement from the childminder. Children are beginning to understand and adopt healthy habits as the childminder talks to them about germs during hand washing, and brushing their teeth after lunch. Children are able to sleep and rest whenever they wish. They excitedly choose a story before they have their afternoon nap. Children are making healthy choices about what they eat, for example, they are given a choice of which fruit they want at snack time, such as blueberry, grapes, strawberry and fresh pineapple. They like to talk about their

p.5

and outcomes for children

favourite fruit and how this makes then grow big and strong.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The focus of activities is on the child's interests which helps them to achieve. The childminder is skilful in bringing mathematical concepts into everyday play, for example, as children use the glue for their pictures, she encourages the children to count, begin to recognise colour, shape, sizes and patterns. The childminder actively engages children in conversation and uses posters, pictures, books and puppets to support and extend children's communication skills. They particularly enjoy singing songs and action rhymes, such as '12345 once I caught a fish alive and five little monkeys'. Photographs and displays of children's work show they enjoy a wealth of art and craft activities and enjoy baking, sand and water activities. They have recently learnt all about 'harvest time'. The children talked and recalled how the had watched the tractors in the fields cutting the wheat; they then went and gathered some up and made their harvest and Autumn pictures for

p.6

and outcomes for children

their parents. 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