Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY269630 Inspection date 16/02/2010 Inspector Dawn Bonica Brown

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2002 and moved premises in 2009. She lives with her three children aged two, three and nine years old in a house in Ripon, North Yorkshire. The childminder provides overnight care and uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding purposes. There is access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and of these, two may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four children, of whom two are aged under five years. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, and currently cares for two children in this age group. She provides support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local school and nursery.

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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 needs of all children are routinely met because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Their welfare is promoted well in almost all areas to ensure that children are supported and no individual is disadvantaged. All children make progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are used to promote children's welfare and the childminder has developed relationships with external agencies to provide effective support for children. She uses good process of self-evaluation to plan improvements. The childminder demonstrates high ambition and a strong capacity to make improvements. Future plans are in place to bring about further improvement to the provision and promote good outcomes for children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to minimize hazards to children both indoors and outdoors. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 23/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 analyse observations to highlight children's achievements or their need for further support and plan the next steps in their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder takes satisfactory steps in most areas to safeguard and promote children's welfare. She monitors visitors appropriately, uses safety equipment, such as, magnetised locks for the kitchen cupboards and has installed a carbon monoxide detector. She undertakes written risk assessments that are suitably recorded. However, in practice, her risk assessments are not sufficiently robust in all areas of her setting. For example, she has not made the outdoor play provision secure enough to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised. This is a breach of the Welfare Requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder carries out good maintenance of the records, policies and procedures required for the efficient management of her provision. She remains suitably qualified to administer first aid, and has kept herself abreast of new developments in childcare. For example, she is highly qualified in childcare and is currently undertaking a further childcare course to degree level. The childminder understands child protection issues; she is knowledgeable about safeguarding practice and understands how to follow the correct procedures for reporting concerns.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has undertaken several improvements to her provision which are beneficial to the children in her setting. She reflects critically on her practise and demonstrates high ambition and a strong capacity to make improvements. The childminder evaluates her provision through self- assessments and by canvassing parental opinion, which helps her to make relevant plans for future development.

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the early years provision

Resources are organised to promote children's independence and support most areas of their development. For example, they are arranged to encourage children of all ages to select toys for themselves, and young children explore the indoor environment safely. There is a wide range of toys and books to appeal to children of all ages. Resources reflect positive images of the range of people in society and are non-stereotypical.

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the early years provision

The childminder currently cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and supports them effectively. Inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare needs met. For example, all children in the setting benefit from communicating with each other using sign language. The childminder has established good working relationships with external agencies to provide support for children. She visits other establishments caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to improve the care and education she provides for the children in her care.

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the early years provision

Good relationships have been established with parents. They express positive opinions of the childminder and appreciate how well-settled and happy their children are in her care. She encourages parents to become involved in their children's learning, and they are pleased with the way the childminder exchanges information with them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and supports their learning and development well. She ensures that the learning environment helps children to make good progress towards the early learning goals in most areas of their development. Her home is welcoming and inviting; children select toys easily and resources are well organised at floor level, so that young children receive plenty of encouragement to explore. There are lots of posters and pictures displayed around her home, some of which have been made with the help of the children.

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and outcomes for children

The premises are clean and well maintained, and the childminder supports children’s awareness of good hygiene habits through resources and procedures that promote their independence and understanding of cross infection, such as, using individual hand towels for drying hands. Children understand the principles of healthy eating and engage in activities that support their awareness. They eat healthy snacks and meals, and make the links between food and health by helping to prepare their own snacks.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creativity and critical thinking is promoted through a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities. Information from observation and assessment is used appropriately to plan activities that meet the needs and abilities of all children, and the childminder describes how she monitors all the areas of learning. However, the childminder does not analyse her observations to identify children's individual achievements, their need for further support or to highlight the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches children to develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe, by showing them how to walk to school safely and practising regular emergency evacuations. She has good relationships with children so that they feel safe and become confident. Children are encouraged to be active through regular access to outdoor play. They use suitable provision for active play and enjoy daily walks to and from school.

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and outcomes for children

Children have positive attitudes and enjoy their learning. They are highly involved in a wide range of activities, such as, moulding warm play dough using plenty of resources to shape, cut, squeeze and roll it out. Children choose what they want to do from a good range of activities. They express keen interest in visiting the library, going on picnics and visiting an activity centre to participate in a pancake race.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress towards the early learning gaols is fostered well. The childminder knows their individual preferences and provides activities that cover almost all the areas of learning. For example, young children's problem solving skills are promoted through treasure baskets to help them explore and make discoveries. They receive individual attention in games that include, 'peek-a-boo' and action songs. The childminder promotes sharing to encourage children to be This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sociable, to make friends and take account of each other's needs. Young children learn to feel safe playing with older ones because children's behaviour is managed well and older children understand and respect the needs of others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands how to promote language and communication with very young children. For example, using sign language, playing reciprocal games with them, singing and looking at books together. She develops their problem solving skills by providing appropriate activities for their age and stage of development. For example, babies are encouraged to investigate objects as they put things into containers and take them out. From the start their awareness of technology is fostered through simple programmable toys that produce a result, such as twisting and turning knobs.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an understanding of the wider world through their play. They enjoy dancing to Asian music and using resources that reflect other cultures. The childminder takes them to international markets and provides stimulating activities that help them to learn about the world, such as making treasure maps. 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 23/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 23/02/2010

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