Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY384453 Inspection date 27/01/2010 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 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

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 December 2008. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and 16 month old daughter. The childminder occasionally works with her daughter, who is an assistant. The childminder also has a further two assistants registered to work with her at the premises. The family lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire. The home is close to shops, schools and other facilities for children, such as parks and a library. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, not more than two of whom may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children who are both in the early years age group and attend on a part-time basis. The childminder operates from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday 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. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she has recently completed a foundation degree in early years.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, caring and inclusive environment where their individuality is respected and valued. The appropriate range of experiences made available to children ensures that they have opportunities to make progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. However, there are some gaps in documentation. Partnerships with parents are effective but as yet parents are not fully involved in the processes for their child's learning and development. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation as a means to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 12/02/2010

p.4

further?

 develop the record of risk assessments so that it clearly states when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/02/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 further develop the planning of activities to ensure that all areas of learning are sufficiently covered and that they are clearly linked to children's learning needs and progression to the early learning goals as identified through regular observations and assessments  develop the resources and activities to further promote, value and raise children's awareness of diversity and differences  develop records, documentation, policies and procedures to fully reflect the EYFS framework and ensure that any assistants are made fully aware of the information  further develop the information collected from parents regarding children's starting points and capabilities and involve parents more in children's learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has recently completed basic awareness of safeguarding children training, which helps to further develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. There are procedures in place to ensure that all assistants living and working in the house are appropriately vetted and suitable to be in close proximity to children. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the process of assessing potential risks to children in the environment, and when they go on outings. However, the written record of these assessments lacks details, such as when they have been conducted or reviewed. In addition, the childminder has not requested written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Both of these are specific legal requirements. There are some policies, procedures and records in

p.5

the early years provision

place, such as a clear record of attendance and accident and medication records; however, policies have not been reviewed or updated in line with the EYFS statutory framework guidance, and these are not shared effectively with all assistants in the provision.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very keen to develop the service she provides and her childcare knowledge. She has a positive attitude to attending training and has recently completed a foundation degree in early years. The childminder has begun to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form and seeks the views of parents about her practice. The learning environment is suitably organised, allowing children to independently access a good variety of toys and resources which supports their learning. Children can further choose activities that are not displayed as the childminder has a photograph book of all her resources. Children benefit from walks and outings in the community, which helps to develop their knowledge of the local environment. However, the toys and activities to help children to begin to know about other people's cultures and beliefs are limited. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to promoting inclusive practice within the setting

p.5

the early years provision

and all children and families are welcomed into her home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has friendly relationships with parents. She ensures that she has relevant information about children's personal care, and emergency contact details are in place. The childminder exchanges information verbally each day with parents about what their child has been doing during the day. However, information relating to children's starting points is not obtained and parents are not fully involved in the systems for observation and assessment to help with planning for their child's further learning and development. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnerships with others to meet the needs of individual children when this is appropriate.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and enjoy their time at the setting. They enjoy a wide variety of resources and activities which meet their interests, ages and stages of development. The childminder knows the children well and they are very confident and secure in her care. The childminder has a developing understanding of the EYFS learning and development requirements. As a result, children are making sound progress towards the early learning goals. Some planning of activities is in place, which stems from children's interests and therefore reflects their individuality. However, planning overall does not clearly show how the six areas of learning are promoted or monitored on a regular basis to support a rounded approach to meeting each child's individual needs. The childminder has begun to carry out focused observations of individual children; they identify children's next steps in learning but are not clearly linked into planning to ensure

p.6

and outcomes for children

that the identified learning needs are met to allow children to progress to the early learning goals. Observations are supported well with photographs and children have a scrapbook of their artwork.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have suitable opportunities to develop their social skills as they attend a toddler group once a week. They interact with children of the same age and play alongside them. Activities, such as painting, gluing, drawing and play dough, help to develop children's fine motor skills and promote their creative development. Children are beginning to develop their communication, literacy and language skills as they discuss the colours of the tractors, cars and play dough. They also enjoy looking at books with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder encourages the use of numbers through everyday general activities, such as measuring and weighing when baking, and she raises children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them; for example, they make bird feeders and identify the birds that come to feed. Children enjoy regular opportunities to play outdoors, in the garden, where they ride bikes or play in the sand tray. Children

p.6

and outcomes for children

particularly enjoy playing with the tractors and trains and they help to fix the track together with the childminder's assistant. Children are beginning to develop some skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being; for example, they become interested in early information and communication technology, such as finding pictures on the computer when they are making rockets and the bird feeders. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Praise and encouragement are used successfully to promote high self-esteem and positive behaviour. The childminder actively promotes children’s welfare and safety. She follows effective hygiene practices to reduce the risk of cross-infection, such as keeping kitchen surfaces clean and encouraging children to wash their hands at appropriate times. The childminder talks to children about keeping themselves safe, for example, when crossing roads, and reminds them to be

p.6

and outcomes for children

careful of crawling babies when they are playing. Food that parents provide is stored appropriately by the childminder and children are offered drinks frequently to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9