Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY275307 Inspection date 02/02/2010 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 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 December 2003. She lives in Redcar with her partner and her 20 year old son. The childminder's younger son, who is 17 years old, also spends some time at the registered premises. The home is close to the town centre, play parks, main bus routes, railway station and beach.

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Description of the childminding

The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes, plus the bathroom on the first floor. Children also have access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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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. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, aged between 10 months and nine years, who are all cared for on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed a level 3 diploma in Home-Based Childcare and a National Vocational Qualification, also at level 3, in Children's Care, Learning and Development, since her last inspection.

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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 childminder has an excellent understanding of the children in her care. As a result, she provides an inclusive setting where children's individual needs are very well met and they make good progress towards the early learning goals. A very warm and welcoming environment is provided and children form excellent relationships with the childminder and with other children in her care. Children enjoy a varied range of activities which fully cover all areas of learning and most of the stepping stones towards learning outcomes. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and implements an effective system of self- evaluation, which supports the continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children have more opportunities to gain an awareness of the cultures and beliefs of others.

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is well safeguarded. Comprehensive procedures are in place. The childminder has attended safeguarding children training and demonstrates a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Effective steps are taken to ensure that all adults having access to children have complied with vetting procedures.

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the early years provision

Appropriate risk assessments for the home and outings are undertaken. All identified steps are implemented to reduce risks to children and daily safety checks of the home are conducted. The environment is kept very warm, welcoming, safe and secure for children and all resources and play materials are also kept safe and clean. Resources are well deployed. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and activities within the lounge and rear garden. All play materials are stimulating and age appropriate.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and ensures that all children are included and involved and their individual needs are very well met. She has an excellent understanding of each child in her care and also works closely with parents and others to ensure that children's needs are met. Children have easy access to some resources which reflect diversity, such as dolls and books. However, there are limited planned activities which help to promote children's awareness of other cultures and beliefs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards driving improvement and personal development. She has attended additional training courses since the previous inspection, including the Early Years Foundation Stage and 'Birth to three matters'. The recommendation from the previous inspection has been fully addressed and childminder has implemented a good procedure for evaluating her provision. As a result, areas for future development have been identified and support the continuous improvement of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers. They are kept fully informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions, the use of general daily records and access to their child’s development file. All parents have provided positive statements about the provision and are very happy about the care and learning their children receive. The childminder liaises well with nursery schools that some children in her care also attend. Relevant information is shared, with parents' consent, and helps to support children's overall development and smooth transition to other settings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes and evaluates children’s learning well. Areas for future individual development are effectively identified and, as a result, children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and present themselves as being very happy, settled and secure in her care. Personal, social and emotional development is a particular strength of the setting and children form excellent relationships with the childminder and with peers. They are happy when other minded children arrive and show a lot of excitement about collecting friends from nursery school. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder supports children’s learning well by being very involved in their play and she promotes their language and thinking skills by asking and answering questions. The childminder is well aware of children's interests and preferences

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and outcomes for children

and these are taken into account when learning experiences are planned. Children have an excellent attitude towards learning and a desire to participate and make choices. They confidently choose what they want to play with and discuss what they would like to eat for lunch.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. They learn about what foods are good for them and have planted vegetables and herbs. They receive a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and participate in regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors. The childminder maintains her first aid qualification and good procedures are in place for illness and accidents. Children are helped to learn about keeping themselves safe during discussions and routines; for example, they are involved in regular fire drills and practising the Green Cross Code when out walking.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and behaviour is calmly and effectively managed by the childminder, who has a very loving and caring manner and promotes a relaxed and friendly environment. Children show an interest in books and enjoy listening to the many stories they choose for the childminder to read to them. Children are helped to learn to recognise sounds and shapes of letters while looking at books. They participate in lots of craft activities which include pre-writing skills, such as drawing around different shapes, and some children can write their own name.

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and outcomes for children

Children also show an interest in numbers and recognise different numbers printed onto toy trains. They have opportunities for sorting items, such as pebbles and shells they collect from the beach. Children begin to do simple calculation, such as when involved in role-play 'shopping' activities. They have good access to a computer and can use a printer to print off and colour in pictures of their favourite characters. 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 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

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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: 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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