Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363234 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Carol-Anne Shaw

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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 with her husband and her adult daughter who works with her as a registered co-childminder. They live in a house in a village near Whitby. The childminder uses the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden to the rear and side of the property for outdoor play. There is also an assistant available at busy times to support the childminding service. The childminder works Tuesday through to Friday.

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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, when working on her own. When working with another childminder they can care for a maximum of six children under five years. When working with another childminder and an assistant may care for a total of seven children. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are strategies in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children who have English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

There are a cat and tortoise at the family home. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The car is used for childminding purposes.

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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

Children are highly valued as individuals and provided with a wide range of quality activities and resources, supporting their learning and development needs effectively. They are cared for in a homely and enabling environment, where they are safe and secure. Clear documentation is in place and used to underpin her good practice. There are effective working relationships with parents and carers, contributing significantly to meeting the individual needs of all the children in her care. She reflects on her provision and has fully embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage in her work.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessment for outings to include more detail  develop further the assessment systems to provide an overview of children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attainments.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting children. Through attending training on a regular basis, she keeps her skills and knowledge updated. Information, along with contact details for the relevant agencies are all available in her file. She has updated her safeguarding policy to ensure the current local numbers and procedures to follow are readily available. Records, such as, those of any accidents, fire drills and attendance are all comprehensive, and acknowledged by parents where appropriate. The childminder is very safety conscious and ensures children's safety at all times. For example, the outer doors are kept locked, to ensure no one enters the premises uninvited. Visitors have their identities checked when appropriate. She has completed written risk assessments that cover all areas of the premises, garden and any outings minimising any safety issues, these have been formally reviewed in the last twelve

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the early years provision

months. However, the ones for outings have limited information regarding water safety and sledging in the snow. The childminder's close supervision and effective practice do ensure that children play safely and freely whilst in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a qualified and experienced childcare professional who has an extensive knowledge of caring for children. She is motivated and committed to keeping her skills up-to-date, through attending training, reading articles and sharing good practice with other childminders. The childminder has fully embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage in her childminding provision and has addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation format and regularly seeks the views and feedback from parents. These systems help her to develop her practice and bring about continual progression in the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective working relationships with the parents and carers. They acknowledge the wide range of activities and many learning opportunities provided and appreciate how she encourages and develops their children's individual interests. The childminder has regular contact with the parents and carers, giving verbal feedback on a daily basis. In addition, many photographs of the children are available, enabling them to see their children at play.

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the early years provision

The childminder operates a fully inclusive practice and warmly welcomes all children into her setting. Children have many opportunities to go out and about in their local community; they access a range of activities and resources depicting race, culture and disabilities. This helps children recognise the importance of respecting one another and valuing their differences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

All children are happy, confident and settle easily into the welcoming and child- orientated environment. The childminder knows the children extremely well and planning a wide range of stimulating activities and resources that reflects their individual interests and builds on their stage of development. Children self-select and make independent choices in their play and learning following their interests. They make excellent use of the downstairs area and move freely and safely as they play. All children make progress towards their early learning goals, they are provided with a wide variety of stimulating and challenging play based activities. This is enhanced through the childminder's positive interaction and excellent questioning techniques. Children's progress is documented in their individual folders and supported with photographic evidence, observations and assessments. The next steps in learning are identified and each week the childminder plans for

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and outcomes for children

individual children. At present there is no system in place to give an overview of individual progress or to measure the overall quality of each learning area, this has been highlighted by the childminder as an area to develop in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Parents are kept informed of their child's attainment through discussion and documentation. They know they can access their child's development folder at any time and the childminder encourages them to add ongoing information to support their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the warm and homely environment, where their uniqueness is fully recognised and promoted. They demonstrate confidence and are proud of the photographs of themselves completing activities. Children enjoy a warm and trusting relationship with the childminder and her co-childminder, responding warmly to her. Children are secure in the familiar routines followed by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication language and literacy is fully promoted, children show a keen interest in books and after making their choice, sit quietly to enjoy the story. Children listen well, as the childminder reads favourite stories, they point to the various pictures, as she asks related questions to develop their vocabulary as the story progresses. They learn songs and confidently do the movements with the childminder. Children have many opportunities to draw, write and make marks. Their understanding of writing for a purpose, letters and numbers are well supported and encouraged. The environment has a wealth of language and pictures to support children's understanding of letters and sounds. Children develop their artistic creativity, as they paint and draw. Children's understanding of number and shapes is developing very well, as they use jigsaws and games to develop this aspect.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning about nature and living creatures. There are many activities provided to develop children's understanding of caring for both domestic and wild animals. Photographs depict the various flowers, insects and animals they have seen on their visits to places of interest. The children garden and grow fruit and vegetables, they know that potatoes grow in the ground and pick tomatoes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and strawberries for snacks.

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and outcomes for children

Their understanding of healthy living is extremely effectively promoted, they learn how to keep themselves healthy, about healthy eating, follow excellent routines to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have many opportunities to access fresh air and outdoor physical activities. The older children freely access the bathroom and know why they wash their hands after doing so. This is very well promoted, through pictures and words. In addition the childminder ensures hands are washed before they bake, have snack and when they come in from outside. Children become increasingly independent in their self-care tasks, learning to put on their coats and shoes ready for moving on to school. 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 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 1 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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