Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279336 Inspection date 18/05/2010 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and son aged nine years, in Sowerby, near the town of Thirsk. The whole of the of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 49 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular 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

All children are very warmly welcomed by the friendly and dedicated childminder. Children's individuality and interests are respected and nurtured by the childminder which ensures they are valued and fully included. Children's welfare is promoted very well and is underpinned by comprehensive policies and procedures. The childminder has a successful and natural rapport with children and she supports their development through her experience and knowledge of their different stages. The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide range of activities for children which mostly cover all areas of learning. This enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. Systems for observations and assessments are being developed. Effective procedures to evaluate the care and education provided, along with a genuine commitment to developing her practice, ensures that continual

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the opportunities for children to learn about other cultures in order to understand and celebrate the similarities and differences between them in a diverse society  develop further the processes for observing and recording children’s development and progress ensuring this links effectively with planning and includes activities for individual children’s next steps. 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 good understanding of safeguarding issues. There are effective vetting procedures, which ensure that all adults living on the premises or having contact with children are suitable to do so. For example, all adults hold relevant checks and clearances. The childminder ensures her knowledge and understanding is kept fully up-to-date by attending a wide range of training events, such as safeguarding and first aid training. She is confident to report any child protection concerns following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. This is supported by a detailed written policy which includes procedures to follow should she have a concern. The childminder conducts systematic risk assessments and daily checks that ensure all potential hazards to children are effectively minimised.

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the early years provision

Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The childminder is taking appropriate steps to ensure her provision and environment are sustainable. Children regularly re-cycle materials to make models and she also uses her local childminding group to access different resources. There is a good range of outdoor equipment to promote children's all round development. Children access toys and resources indoors that are of a high quality and that support their learning and development. However, resources and activities which promote positive images of diversity are limited. This is an area the childminder has identified for improvement. Children are introduced and become actively involved in community groups that promote a broad range of activities, such as 'art club', 'sing and sign', and 'stay and play', as well as regular visits to the parks. This also helps to broaden children's range of experiences and

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the early years provision

supports their social skills and awareness of the wider world around them. Children's enthusiasm and self-esteem grow as they are praised and rewarded with smiles and hugs. Systems for self-evaluation are effective with the childminder being able to identify her strengths and weaknesses well. She is passionate about the children in her care and gains written feedback from parents, her local authority, and other childminders to give her an optimal view of the service she provides. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improving her provision and is committed to improving her childcare practice by attending regular training. She has successfully completed the recommendations from the last inspection. This improves outcomes for children's well-being and safety.

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the early years provision

Good systems are in place to ensure each child's uniqueness and individual needs are recognised and met. The childminder obtains all necessary information with regards to the children’s care and learning in advance of a child being admitted to the setting through thorough discussions with parents. She then continues to work closely with parents to ensure children make continual progress. Parents receive written copies of all policies and procedures. Consequently, parents understand the service provided and have all the necessary information to hand. The childminder values the importance of partnership working with parents and ensures they are kept informed of their children's day through regular discussions and written diaries. Parents take children's developmental records home regularly and are actively encouraged to contribute to these records. Parents speak very highly of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

the care and learning the childminder provides, stating 'the service she provides is very flexible' and 'she is a fantastic childminder'. Currently, no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are on roll. However, the childminder is committed to treating each child as an individual and working in partnerships to make sure their needs are met. The childminder doesn't have any links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, however, she is very keen to establish relationships and communicate with the other providers when these opportunities arise in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and confident in familiar surroundings, as the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. The childminder has formed strong loving relationships with children and they interact positively with adults. She offers clear praise consistently and this encourages children's positive behaviour. As a result, children are at ease in the setting and clearly enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder is committed to the care and education of children and implements effective methods using routine activities to fully promote children's learning. This means that children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The child-friendly environment encourages children's play as they are free to move around and develop their growing mobility and physical skills. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. A wide range of activities and resources are in place to meet the children's needs

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and outcomes for children

and provide stimulating experiences across all areas of learning. The childminder includes challenges to extend children's skills. For example, they love to explore and investigate so she has compiled treasure boxes using heuristic play materials. These include items such as sponges and various textiles, so the children can satisfy their natural curiosity and explore their senses. Children benefit from individual files which include examples of their work, photographs and observations which are linked to the areas of learning. The childminder clearly knows the children well and identifies their next steps in learning, however, it is not clear to see how these are used to inform future planning. The impact of this, however, is very low as the childminder provides a wide range of activities which are based upon children's individual needs and interests. Children's self-esteem is good. Pre-school children are encouraged to share, take turns and behave

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and outcomes for children

appropriately supporting them, to have positive attitudes and behaviour in all that they do.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in interesting and imaginative creative experiences, which effectively nurture their self-expression whilst having a lot of fun. Babies love 'scrunching' pieces of paper and foil. They also love to experiment with musical instruments as they explore music and sounds. Pre-school children are beginning to learn about the world around them and enjoy planting and growing beans and sunflowers. Babies are beginning to show an interest in books as they investigate 'touchy feely' books and looking at simple picture books. Children’s communication skills are consistently fostered resulting in lovely interactions between themselves and the childminder. All these experiences promote children's early language and technological development, and enable children to develop skills necessary to their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 future success. Pre-school children have opportunities to explore aspects of

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and outcomes for children

quantity, measurement and problem-solving within their play for example, when taking part in baking activities. All children have opportunities to explore mark making with pencils, crayons and paint.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play and explore safely using clean and well maintained resources. They are active or restful through choice and babies sleep in line with their individual needs and parent's wishes. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged as they practise regular fire drills and discuss road safety when out walking. The childminder is very warm and affectionate with the children and they have clearly developed close relationships with her, for example, she provides lots of reassurance and cuddles when they are tired and children's needs are clearly her priority and it is clear that children feel safe in the childminder's company. Regular use of the garden and outings to the park and local groups, provide good opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage children’s physical development. Children are given time to explore and practise new skills and begin to understand

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and outcomes for children

the importance of being healthy and active. Healthy snacks and sugar free drinks are provided by the childminder and highlight the importance of making healthy choices. The childminder’s good relationship with parents and her effective procedures ensure children are cared for appropriately when ill. This reduces the risk of the spread of infection. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, is in place and up-to-date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. The childminder provides young children with good levels of adult supervision so they take appropriate risk as part of their development. 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 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 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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