Childminder in York

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410122 Inspection date 17/11/2010 Inspector Jackie Phillips

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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 assesses 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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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 registered in 2010. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged three, five and seven years of age in the Copmanthorpe area of York. The whole of the property, with the exception of the first floor main bedroom, is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for children's outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, including two in the early years age range, one of whom may be under the age of one. There are currently three children on roll, two of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder sometimes cares for minded children with the help of an assistant. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school as well as attending the local playgroup. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The

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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

Children are cared for in a homely setting with a strong emphasis to organise resources to meet their individual needs and encourage independence. An interesting day is planned for children aimed at providing activities that respond to their current interests. Most systems are in place to keep children safe and support their learning and well-being. Partnership working is developing adequately. Processes to evaluate the provision are not yet firmly in place, although the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to improve outcomes for children  develop further the systems for observation and assessment to identify and plan for children's next steps in their learning  improve links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support progression and continuity of care  improve the daily record of names of children looked after on the premises, in particular their hours of actual attendance.

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the early years provision

The property is safe and secure and the childminder has begun to risk assess her provision to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep hazards to a minimum. This extends to when children are playing outside or taken on outings. The record of the risk assessment does not yet include a date for review, which may place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children at risk in the future. Children are helped to develop an understanding of personal safety. For example, by being introduced to the routine of how to leave the property quickly in an emergency. They are also taught basic road safety rules to use when they are out in the community. There are a number of recording procedures in place to help keep children safe and free from harm. Most are used well, for example, writing details of accidents and sharing information with parents. However, the register to record children's attendance is not always kept

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the early years provision

up to date, in particular to show accurate arrival times.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken positive action to ensure that contact details of children's parents can be promptly located in the case of an emergency. She has ensured checks have been carried out for all adults who have close contact with children and has attended training to raise her understanding of protecting children. National written guidance and contact details of relevant agencies to support safeguarding procedures are also in place. The childminder is focussed on engaging children in a range of interesting activities that are organised and provided to meet their individual needs and interests. She acknowledges that children are unique and uses information from observation and assessment to provide activities that interest them. Written records to share with parents of children's progress are brief and information not used sufficiently well to plan for the next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very skilful at using effective questioning techniques to help children share their ideas and organise their thoughts. She takes children to local play settings and on outings to places of interest. Equipment for children to use is in good condition and supplies are varied and plentiful. She collects an interesting range of recycled resources and art and craft materials for children to use to inspire their imagination and creativity. Partnership working is underway, but currently not used effectively to fully promote continuity and progression for children.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept informed through written records, displayed notices and a verbal exchange of information. They are encouraged to share what they know about their child, in particular to help the childminder assess how she can meet individual needs, including cultural requirements. The childminder has a positive approach to continually improve her provision, although processes for self-evaluation are not yet firmly established to help identify action to take to improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make sound progress in their learning. They are provided with an interesting, flexible day that includes activities that take place within the setting, outside in the fresh air and at organised groups and places of interest. They are confident, happy and able to concentrate and focus very well on activities that interest them. The broad variety of toys and resources mean children benefit from using a wide range of equipment to help them develop. For example, they frequently use the laptop to support their learning or investigate additional This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information. There is a wide selection of books, many to raise children's understanding of the world around them. They clearly enjoy playing alongside the childminder who expertly uses questioning to help children think, explain themselves and develop language skills.

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and outcomes for children

They are involved in spontaneous learning events, such as, counting and problem solving, classifying shape and colour or recognising and memorising numbers and simple words displayed on posters. Children willingly take part in activities and are active and curious learners. There are many opportunities provided for them to make decisions. For example, to select toys themselves or to make choices from the interesting variety of recycled materials to inspire them to design, create and paint. Tools are used confidently, such as, scissors, paint brushes, pencils and hand-held computers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported to develop an understanding about a healthy lifestyle. Snacks and nourishing, well-balanced meals include healthy options. Access to physical play and exercise supports health and well-being. They follow appropriate personal hygiene routines, although sometimes hand washing procedures before eating are not consistently implemented. Children behave very well and understand and recall house rules they have been involved in devising. Their efforts and successes are acknowledged by praise and reward, raising children's self-esteem and confidence. Overall, children achieve and enjoy their time at the setting and are secure in the skills they require for future learning. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 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 2 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 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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