Childminder in North YorkshireOfsted inspection, 1 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337930 Inspection date 01/02/2010 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 August 2006. She lives in the Redcar East area of Redcar with her husband and two children, who are aged eight years and five years. The premises is situated within walking distance of the town centre, schools, parks, parent and toddler groups and the beach. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes, plus the toilet and bathroom on the first floor. There are two enclosed rear gardens available for outdoor play. The family have a dog, which minded children have supervised access to.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children under eight years at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Her husband is also a registered childminder and when working together the couple may care for up to 11 children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 16 children on roll, aged between 19 months and 10 years, most 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Effective systems are in place to ensure that children participate in learning experiences which cover all areas of development. As a result, they are making good progress towards the early learning goals. An inclusive, welcoming and friendly environment ensures that children form good relationships. Some good steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe in the home and on outings. The wide range of outings organised for children is a particular strength of the setting. Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are up-to-date and support good organisation. The childminder has a positive attitude towards maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum, for example, by storing medication securely  ensure that the record of children's attendance includes the name of their key worker  continue to develop the process of self-evaluation to support the continuous improvement of the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is well safeguarded. The childminder has attended child protection training since the previous inspection and demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children issues. A good range of risk assessments are conducted for the home and outings, and action is taken to minimise most risks to children. However, some medication is currently accessible.

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the early years provision

Resources are well deployed. There is a good range of play materials available which are easily accessible for children. All resources are stimulating, safe and suitable, and children enjoy choosing what they want to play with.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity. She is well aware of children's individual needs, interests and preferences, and takes these into account when planning activities. Children have access to resources and activities which help to raise their awareness of other cultures, beliefs and celebrations, including Polish Name Day celebrations.

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the early years provision

The childminder also has a positive attitude towards personal development and has attended several training courses since her previous inspection, including the Early Years Foundation Stage, developing high quality outdoor play and paediatric first aid. She is currently working towards a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in children's care, learning and play.

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the early years provision

All of the recommendations from the previous inspection have been fully addressed and support the good organisation of the provision. However, attendance records do not clearly show whether it is the childminder or her husband, who is each child's key worker on a daily basis. A process of self-evaluation has recently been introduced to help support the continuous improvement of the provision but is not yet fully effective.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and they are kept fully informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Parents' views about the provision have been sought and all parents have recorded extremely positive comments about the care and learning experiences their children receive. The childminder also works well in partnership with teachers from some of the nursery schools where minded children also attend. Relevant information is effectively shared to ensure that children's learning needs are consistently met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively observes and evaluates children’s development. Areas for future learning are also identified and are implemented into activity planning, as a result children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder supports children’s learning well by being involved in their play. She helps them to learn about keeping themselves safe through play activities and routines. For example, when playing with a rail track and vehicles children learn about the different colours on traffic lights, and what these mean. They are also involved in regular fire drills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's overall health and well-being is effectively promoted. They are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, which they often help to prepare. Children also have regular opportunities for physical activity both indoors and outdoors, and have access to a wide range of resources which promote physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a positive attitude towards learning, participate well in activities and are able to make lots of choices, which promotes their confidence and independence. They are well behaved and are praised and encouraged often, which helps to promote their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and present themselves as being secure and confident. They enjoy the varied range of activities available and have excellent opportunities to participate in a wide range outings and visits to places of interest.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in various creative activities, including role play and dancing, which help to promote their social skills and imagination. They construct and design vehicle tracks with different materials and also count the pieces and name colours of different items. Sorting and matching skills are promoted and children do simple addition and subtraction when ‘buying’ trains to go on the track. The childminder is skilled at promoting several areas of learning from a single activity. 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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