Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY261445 Inspection date 08/07/2010 Inspector Vivienne Dempsey

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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 May 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged 14 and 16 years, in the Teesville area of Middlesbrough. The home is within easy walking distance of local amenities, such as a play park, leisure centre, library, primary schools and shops. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. The conservatory is used on an occasional basis. There is also an enclosed rear garden available 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, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll aged from two years to eight years and three of these are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has a CACHE level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 childminder provides a warm and caring atmosphere which leads to all children, their families and visitors feeling welcome. The learning environment is organised appropriately to meet children's needs and sufficiently promotes their development across all areas of learning. However, the processes for observation, planning and assessments are not yet sufficiently developed to ensure children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder attends training and works with the local authority advisor to develop her skills and knowledge, which helps to drive continuous improvement and sufficiently promotes outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems to observe, assess and plan to help children progress towards the early learning goals  further develop links with other providers to ensure continuity and coherence in children's learning and development  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  further develop systems for self-evaluation to drive improvement and promote outcomes for all children. 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 sufficient range of policies and procedures which are required for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This helps to ensure that the needs of all children are suitably met. She has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child's welfare. The fire evacuation procedure is practised with children on a regular basis so that children are fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire. Risk assessments have been conducted for the home and appropriate safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of accidents to children. Risk assessment is also carried out for outings, however this is not included in the record of risk assessment, which does not fully protect children's safety.

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the early years provision

The indoor and outdoor environments are sufficiently resourced. All the children have easy access to a suitable range toys and resources. This encourages them to make choices and contributes to the sound progress they make towards the early learning goals. A welcoming environment is provided for all children and the childminder has a sound understanding of their individual needs. The childminder provides a sufficient range of resources and activities which reflect our diverse society and help children develop a positive attitude towards difference. She has developed sound relationships with parents and effectively seeks information about children, which ensures she has a realistic and sufficient understanding of their individual needs and interests. A daily two-way exchange of information keeps parents informed of children's care and progress and also enables the childminder to meet children's care needs appropriately. Partnerships with other providers are

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the early years provision

satisfactory, communication links have been developed to ensure children's care needs are met. However, information is not always used effectively to fully support children's progress towards the early learning goals. This does not ensure continuity and coherence in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to develop her service. She attends some training to develop her knowledge and skills. The childminder has some understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, however systems for self-evaluation are not fully in place and do not fully drive improvement. This does not fully promote outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy to participate in the variety of activities provided. The childminder provides lots of positive praise and encouragement which promotes children's good behaviour. She has a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements. Observation and assessment is in the early stages and these are recorded in children's development files. However. systems to observe, assess and plan for children's learning and development are not fully in place. This does not fully support children's progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy visits within the local area, such as, visiting the local museum where they learn about Egypt and have fun dressing-up as Pharaoh's. This develops their awareness of the local community and of other cultures. They thoroughly enjoy

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and outcomes for children

building a tepee in the garden using bamboo canes, tape and a large tablecloth. This provides them with the opportunity to use their knowledge to design and make things, developing their knowledge and understanding of the world. Children enjoy sharing stories with the childminder's family, such as, Jack and the Beanstalk. They confidently talk about the pictures, which helps to develop their early communication, language and literacy skills.

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and outcomes for children

Planned activities, such as practising fire drills and discussing road safety, help children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children do not attend if they are ill which helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The home is kept sufficiently clean and suitable hygiene procedures are promoted with children to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder encourages children to wash their hands before meals and snacks. 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 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

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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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