Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355525 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 was registered in 2007. She lives in Crakehall near Bedale with her husband and her three children aged 15, 12 and nine years. The whole of the home except for the master bedroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll in this age group who attend at various times. She also provides care for older children. The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. The family has a dog, rabbits, guinea pigs, a hamster and fish.

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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 childminder offers a warm, friendly and inclusive environment for children and their parents. All children have opportunities to make good progress in their learning and development. Good partnerships with parents help the childminder to meet the individual needs of children. Systems for monitoring the provision are in place and the childminder is committed to developing the quality of her childminding service. Consequently, the capacity for improvement is good.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of aspects of the environment that need to be checked and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 29/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 keep an accurate record of the hours of children's attendance  develop further systems for observation and assessments for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage so their progress can be tracked and the information used to inform future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her role and responsibility with regards to safeguarding. This helps to ensure children are protected. Checks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have been completed on all household members to establish they are suitable to be in regular contact with children and anyone who has not been checked is never left alone with the children. Effective steps are taken to make sure her home is safe, such as fitting stair gates, an alarm on the front door, and preventing children's access to electrical sockets. However, she does not maintain a record of potential dangers in the home and the steps she has taken to reduce these. This is a specific legal requirement of her registration. The childminder has attended first aid training to ensure she can respond effectively should a child have an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended some training since her last inspection. She keeps up-to-date with related issues in order to gain new ideas to further develop her good practice. She evaluates her practice through constant monitoring of activities and by seeking parents' views through regular questionnaires and daily discussion. She also uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help her identify and prioritise areas for improvement. Most recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully met, however children's attendance records are still not fully accurate. Resources are attractively displayed and stored in a variety of storage units for children to freely access. This clearly promotes free choice and independence and ensures inclusion for all. There is lots of space for children to use including a large well-resourced outdoor play area. Toys and equipment are of good quality and in a clean, safe condition.

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the early years provision

Daily discussions and written diaries keep parents well informed of their child's development. The childminder shares her observations of children's progress with parents. She actively promotes positive partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage in the interest of children's welfare. She provides a wealth of information for parents, such as information about the childcare provision and all policies and procedures. Parents speak highly of the provision including comments such as, 'we always feel welcome' and 'the childminder provides a home from home loving environment'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop which reflects in her practice. She is well organised and provides a welcoming environment by displaying children's artwork and photographs. This promotes their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder knows the children very well which enables her to meet their individual needs. They are provided with a good range of interesting and stimulating activities to help them make progress in their learning. She makes some sensitive observations and records these down evidencing with photographs and examples of work. As yet she is not summarising this information so she can fully track children's progress to help with identifying the next steps for their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and sociable. They enjoy being with the childminder and her family and love it when the childminder's husband makes their favourite pancakes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They play well alongside, and with each other at the childminder's home and when they attend community groups. They are increasingly independent. For example, older children manage their toileting, choose what they want to play with and eat their snacks with little or no help from the childminder. They chat happily as they play and are becoming articulate. There are many opportunities for them to learn about the wider world, as they participate in lots of outings in the local community and further afield. They explore the area in which they live as they help to exercise the childminder's dog and as they visit parks and nature areas. Lots of opportunities are provided for children to practise and extend their skills in

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and outcomes for children

problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy. The childminder use mathematical terms in her daily practice to promote children's understanding. They love singing and happily join in songs such as 'If you're happy and you know it' dancing and doing the actions. Their imagination is developing well. They enjoy dressing up as donkeys and sheep and make 'phone calls' using their 'mobile phone'. Children have many daily opportunities for sensory exploration and mess making with materials such as paint, glue, dough, sand and water. They have access to a good range of resources and activities which reflect the diversity of the world in which they live. This raises their awareness of differences and of their own and other cultures. They participate in fundraising events such as Red Nose Day and carol singing which helps to raise their understanding of the importance of helping others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains good standards of hygiene throughout her home to help prevent the spread of infection. Children are becoming increasingly aware of when it is appropriate to wash their hands and as they get older are beginning to do this independently with little prompting. Safety is a priority and the childminder endeavours to raise children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, she explains why there needs to be a net around the trampoline and why they must not talk to strangers. 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 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 3 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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