Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339864 Inspection date 07/04/2010 Inspector Tracey Jane Outram

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and eight years in Conisbrough, a suburb of Doncaster. The ground floor is used for childminding purposes and children only access the first floor to use the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. She 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 providing care for nine children of whom five are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification at level 3, which is appropriate to her work with children.

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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 children are effectively safeguarded and their welfare is enhanced through the successful implementation of the policies and procedures that underpin the smooth daily operation of the setting. The childminder is eager to improve outcomes for children and has developed some good methods of working in partnership with a range of others. Overall, she is thoughtful, conscientious and makes sustained efforts to secure improvements to her service, which are based on accurate self- reflection.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to contribute to children’s ongoing observational assessments and activity planning  continue to challenge children’s thinking by increasing opportunities to explore problem solving, reasoning and numeracy.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is completed effectively. The home is hygienic and space is used effectively, for example, the children are able to make independent choices about whether to play indoors or outdoors. Likewise, the resources and equipment are varied, accessible and checked on a regular basis as part of the ongoing assessment of risks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Equality of opportunity is promoted well and the childminder is keen to ensure that children learn about the harmful effects of discrimination. She provides a good range of support for individual children by actively building links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This helps to sustain children’s development and meet their unique needs.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. The childminder is keen to ensure that transitions between home and the setting are considerate of the children’s needs and individual routines. Consequently, she talks to parents about the children’s individual backgrounds and strengthens relationships by completing some home visits. Parents are provided with high-quality information about the setting and the childminder actively encourages partnership working in order to best support the children’s learning and development. However, there currently are no systems in place to encourage parents to contribute to the activity planning and the children’s ongoing observational assessments.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder has a good capacity to promote continuous improvement. She has embarked on the process of self-evaluation and has accurately identified some key areas for development, though this is largely based on her personal analysis of the service and does not incorporate the views of others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she implements effectively in all areas of her practice. Good systems are in place to shape activities to the personal learning and development needs of the children. The children each have informative individual records, which provide enlightening written and photographic observations of the children at play. The records are effectively linked to the six areas of learning and include the next steps for the children’s development.

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and outcomes for children

The children benefit from structured daily routines, which help them to make sense of their surroundings and increase their sense of security and familiarity. They enjoy some planned activities and outing but are competent to take an active role within the setting by making choices and selecting resources and equipment that support their interests. Strong and respectful relationships are in place between the children and the childminder. She joins in with the activities but she also understands when children need time to develop their own ideas and consolidate their learning without adult intrusion.

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and outcomes for children

The children are developing good self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. They have a very positive attachment to the childminder and very good social and personal skills. For example, as they play together with a broad range of small world resources and dressing-up clothes they demonstrate understanding and tolerance of others. The children are greatly helped by the childminder to learn how to be more controlled in their own behaviour and deal with their own frustrations. This is helped because the children are supported to develop very good vocabulary and communication skills. The children are keen to share their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thoughts and they add narratives into their pretend play. Of equal importance, is the fact that children’s non-verbal communication is consistently acknowledged and some basic sign language is used within the setting. This helps the children to

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and outcomes for children

understand about the diversity of individuals and positively supports inclusion and socialisation. The children are keen to look at books and enjoy mark-making, drawing and attempting to write their own name. On the whole, children develop good skills for the future through the range of early years activities, which includes working with shapes, building with construction equipment and exploring information and communication technology. However, there are times when some of the older children do not have sufficient challenge in relation to problem solving, reasoning and numeracy.

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and outcomes for children

The children have a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe in a range of circumstances, such as during outings or in the event of fire. This is helped through their inclusion in discussions and attendance at planned community events, which consolidates their learning as they benefit from meeting members of the local emergency services. In terms of living healthy lifestyles children are encouraged to take regular exercise and engage in activities that help them to learn about different food types and the benefits of eating a balanced diet. 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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