Cullingworth, Tracy Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355507 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Christine Tipple

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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 family in the town of Driffield. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is access to the bathroom on the first floor. The childminder has an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local schools and pre-school. The family has three cats and rabbits as pets. The childminder on occasion uses her car for childminding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently seven children attending. Of these, six are within the Early Years Foundation Stage and all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminder support group.

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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 happy and relaxed with the childminder and their individual needs are valued and well supported. The records and documentation in place promotes children's wellbeing and safety effectively. Good relationships are formed with parents, the local pre-school and within the community to support children's ongoing learning and development well. Children enjoy a good range of activities which overall promote their progress in the areas of learning. The childminder has completed her self-evaluation which provides details of areas to further develop her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's observations and assessments to ensure they link more effectively to the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken positive steps to safeguard the children in her care. She has attended recent safeguarding training and has the details of the relevant support agencies to contact if she has a concern about a child. All policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures provided by the childminder are shared with parents who sign these to confirm they have read them. The risk assessments cover the areas children come into contact with including outings and transporting them in the car which are reviewed regularly. Other records and documentation support the childminder in the safe management of the provision for the children. The childminder has evaluated her practice and taken account of the parents, children and local authority feedback which has enabled her to clearly identify areas to improve in the future.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses a range of local community activities with the children to extend their learning experiences. She has good links with the local pre-school which provids a consistent, shared approach to children's ongoing needs. The partnership with parents is positive and the childminder works with them to ensure their children's individual routines are well supported particularly during the settling in period. The childminder produces a parent welcome pack and a regular newsletter which keeps parents up-to-date with what the childminder provides for their children. Feedback from the parents is very good and they comment on being made 'very welcome by the childminder' and how much their children enjoy attending. Other points raised regard the parent's confidence in the 'quality of care' their children receive.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers children choices in what they want to play with and provides them with a selection of resources. These are changed throughout the day as the children request, and these are clearly labelled for the children to see including larger equipment outside. The space enables the children to walk around the furniture and gain confidence to take their first steps. The quality of what is provided is good and caters for all areas of the children's learning and developmental needs. The childminder's policy on equality and diversity support her to challenge prejudice and inappropriate comments or actions. Children are valued by the childminder who respects their individuality and fully supports their needs. Children participate in activities and celebrations through the year which positively reflects their own and other cultures around the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder who has caring relationships with them. This enables the children to be confident and self assured in what they do and to take on challenges as they develop. The children have a range of activities which reflects their interests and provides experiences which promote the areas of learning. There are plans provided to supports the childminder in providing topics and related activities through the year which are flexible dependent on the children. The childminder has completed regular observations and assessments of the children which include their next steps to progress. However, these are not clearly linked to the areas of learning to ensure children's ongoing progress is monitored more effectively.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder spends time talking with the children to engage them in their play and learning which promotes their language and communication skills very well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder listens to the children which promotes their confidence and enables them to express themselves effectively. Resources support children to develop their early mark making and as they progress to start and recognise the letters in their name. Children enjoy stories and books and often have a favourite one which they read together. Children engage in songs and games and use other resources which support them to count and recognise numbers around them. They sequence and match objects and the children bake and weigh out ingredients. The children have good opportunities to explore and investigate their surroundings. They plant bulbs in the garden and there are various opportunities for the children

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and outcomes for children

to use resources to construct and build with which encourages them to develop their own ideas. They have regular outings which include the wildlife park and sealife centre. Children enjoy their role and small world play activities which enhances their imagination very well. Regular access to a variety of tools and equipment promotes the children's physical skills effectively. Children are outside every day, going for walks, and visiting activities in the community which extend their experiences and confidence. The children have various activities which enable them to use different fabrics and mediums to create with. This includes being able to make collages, models and to print with different tools. Children access other provisions which provide additional opportunities for the children to share in creative activities in a larger group.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children in managing their behaviour through positive praise and individual attention which enables them to feel secure. The childminder encourages the children to be kind and to share and to use their manners. She works with parents to ensure there is a consistent approach with the children. Information is shared with parents on the exclusion periods required when children are ill. This is part of the childminder's health and hygiene policy to reduce cross-infection. The childminder provides a selection of snacks for the children which overall offer an appropriate healthy balance. Parents provide a packed lunch for their children. Safety is well promoted with the children through their daily activities, and a regular fire evacuation procedure is discussed and carried out with them. The children have daily opportunities to practice their road safety routine and to use the pelican crossing. Other safety guidance is provided

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and outcomes for children

by the childminder as children use new equipment and resources. 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 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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