Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY363255 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Carol-Anne Shaw

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her family and works as a co-childminder with her mother as a registered 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.

p.4

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. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. 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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

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

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are motivated and their individual needs met. A good range of resources and activities, that follow the interests the children are freely available. Her systems for observation and assessment are developing and the childminder has a sound knowledge of how to support the children's learning and development. The childminder has formed close working relationships with parents and carers. The childminder has excellent systems in place to manage children's health. She is aware of her key strengths and areas for further improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend the risk assessment for outings to include more detail  extend the monitoring of the overall provision to support the ongoing development of the childminding service. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in safeguarding children from possible harm. She ensures her knowledge of child protection issues is updated; she has a range of information to hand should she need to make a referral. Parents are made aware of her child protection policy and procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. She has comprehensive policies and procedures which underpin the safe and efficient management of her service, and these clearly reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and include procedures to be followed in an emergency.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are cared for in a well-organised, welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder's home is organised to provide a wide variety of stimulating, interesting and enjoyable play and learning opportunities. Resources are effectively displayed to enable children to self-select, good space is available for children to play and learn. The childminder has a very good knowledge of child development and how children learn, this is used effectively to promote good progress.

p.5

the early years provision

Children benefit from the well-established relationships in place between the childminder and their parents. They work closely together and share lots of information, both verbally and through observations and assessments, which positively impacts on children's care, welfare, development and learning. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place, this is accurately maintained. This helps contribute to the children's health, safety and well-being as well as the efficient running of her childminding service.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare are given high importance. The childminder conducts and records her risk assessments and is vigilant in protecting children from hazards both inside and outside the home. However, the formal record of risk assessment for outings lacks detail.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder assesses her service, updating her policies and procedures to bring them in line with current legislation. She has developed her observation and assessments to link with the six learning outcomes. 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a close relationship with the childminder. Children readily explore the resources and activities on offer and spend time engaged in play with the childminder, playing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the house and looking at books. The childminder responds to the children, getting down to their level to engage them in their play. She interacts well with them, developing and encouraging their language skills. For example, when playing with the children she repeats words and the children copy her. This helps build on children's confidence in communicating and developing new vocabulary.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in an environment that is warm and welcoming. They have access to a wide range of stimulating resources and equipment that are well organised at a low level to encourage children to choose those they wish to play with, which they do with confidence. Children are provided with a wide range of activities that promote their development effectively in all areas of learning. The childminder observes children during their play, she uses these observations to assess children's progress and identify how to move children on in their learning. These are fully shared with parents to enable them to work with the childminder to build on what children know and can do.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of how to keep safe, both in the home and when out. The childminder reinforces the rules needed to promote their safety and children adhere to these. The evacuation plan is practised with the older children and this helps them understand the procedures to be followed should an emergency occur. Healthy outcomes are effectively supported with excellent systems in place, children develop their awareness of healthy eating through the conversations they have with the childminder. She is aware of children's allergies and individual dietary requirements and monitors children well to ensure their needs are met. The environment is clean, well maintained and excellent standards of hygiene are maintained.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's good health is further promoted through the regular opportunities for them to develop their physical skills and be out in the fresh air. They regularly go for walks in the local environment to school and local places of interest. Children play with various toys and equipment in the garden, for example, children have been involved in planting and growing flowers and tomatoes. Children also regularly go to the park and enjoy nature walks. Creative activities are done to support their own and others festivals and celebrations, enabling children to become aware of different cultures and diversity developing their awareness of the local community.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's social skills in sharing and turn taking. She has clear and appropriate boundaries in place and this helps children learn right from wrong. Children receive lots of ongoing positive praise from the childminder for their achievements and for managing tasks independently, for example, blowing their noses and washing their hands. Children thrive in this positive and fun environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8