Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346902 Inspection date 11/01/2010 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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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 March 2007. She lives in the New Marske area of Redcar with her partner and two children, who are 13 and 14 years old. The couple's adult, female friend also lives at the registered address. The home is close to local amenities, such as shops, play park, woods, beach and primary school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder and her husband have recently purchased the terraced property next door, and have converted the two houses into one. Minded children have the use of two bathrooms, including one on the first floor, plus the use of the whole ground floor of the house, with the exception of the family room. There is alsoan enclosed rear yard available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The family are currently caring for a friend's dog on a temporary basis. They breed pet rats and currently have 40. The childminder obtains written consent from parents for children to have supervised access to the pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time, and is also on both parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 12 children on roll, aged between nine months and 11 years, including a child with additional physical needs. All children are cared for on a part-time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provision generally meets the needs of the children and they are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Inclusion is promoted; however, the amount of attention that individual children receive from the childminder varies and is not always effectively planned into the daily routine. A procedure for evaluating the provision is adequately implemented and the childminder has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement. The environment is secure and welcoming for children with a varied range of resources easily accessible to them.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the emergency evacuation procedure to reflect the change of exit from the first floor  effectively plan for the next steps in children's individual learning; for example, by making good use of the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage  plan and organise the provision so that all children receive regular attention from the key person, which is tailored to meet their individual needs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve nappy changing routines to prevent the spread of infection  increase knowledge and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour.

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded within the provision. Comprehensive written procedures are in place, and the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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the early years provision

Basic risk assessments are conducted and the home is kept safe and secure. Safety equipment is in place in the kitchen and regular emergency evacuation drills are conducted with children. However, evacuation procedures have not yet been updated to reflect a different exit from the first floor, following the changed position of the staircase.

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the early years provision

Resources are well deployed and children have easy access to a good range of age-appropriate toys and activities within the lounge. Suitable procedures are in place to ensure that resources remain safe and clean. Some suitable procedures are in place for the care of the family's pets, and to ensure that furniture, equipment and resources are kept clean; however, nappy-changing routines are not sufficiently rigorous to prevent the spread of infection.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed appropriate first aid and childminding courses. She has a good attitude towards personal development, and has attended other additional training since the previous inspection, such as safeguarding and promoting welfare, working with disabled children, diversity, the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is currently embarking on the second year of an Open University foundation degree course.

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the early years provision

The childminder has future plans to improve the outdoor play area so that children can freely choose to play indoors or outdoors when they wish. The process for identifying areas for continuous improvement within the provision is still being developed. The childminder has addressed the recommendation raised at the previous inspection, and this has resulted in improved working relations with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder works effectively in partnership with parents and others. An individual system of settling-in visits is agreed with parents and helps to support children's changing routines. Parents are kept informed of their child's development and progress through regular discussions. They also have access to their child's development file and receive copies of the policies and procedures of the setting. However, some policy documents still refer to the previous national framework rather than the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder issues questionnaires to parents in order to seek their views about the provision, and ensures that suggestions from parents are implemented. She also liaises with other agencies and nursery and primary schools to share information about children's learning, with their parents' consent. 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 has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and ensures that children have opportunities to learn about family and cultural differences, beliefs and customs. Children are generally well behaved. However, the childminder does not always manage behaviour effectively and as a result not all children receive regular, individual attention throughout the daily routine.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes and records children’s development and they are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. However, areas for future development are not always effectively identified. The childminder takes account of children’s individual needs and preferences when planning activities and outings, and when purchasing equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children present themselves as feeling safe and secure in the childminder's care. They learn about road and fire safety, with support from the childminder. They are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles, and are provided with a varied range of suitable meals; fresh fruit is readily available for snacks. Children are encouraged to practice simple hygiene routines. They have appropriate opportunities for physical activity both indoors and outdoors, such as dancing and walks to the woods and play park, which helps to promote their overall health and well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a positive attitude towards learning and participate in a range of self-chosen activities. The childminder promotes some independence, such as encouraging children to help tidy away and peel their own fruit at snack-time. They are also encouraged to develop positive relationships by playing together, sharing and cooperating. Children regularly visit social groups where they have opportunities to meet other children of their age.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy listening to stories read by the childminder, and they also visit the local library to participate in story and singing sessions. Various shape-sorters, building bricks and jigsaw puzzles are readily available to support children's problem-solving skills. They also count throughout their daily routine, such as when counting grapes at snack-time. Children participate well in some role play activities, and make their own noises and sounds with items they utilise as musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Children independently use the childminder's camera to take photographs of the constructions they make. They are keen to see photographs of themselves in their own development files and show a sense of pride, which promotes their self- esteem. Children have opportunities for learning about the local community and the world around them when they go for walks and visits, such as to the near-by woods, park and beach. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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