Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338416 Inspection date 25/03/2011 Inspector Donna Lancaster

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 12 and 15 years, in Guisborough. The house is situated within easy walking distance of local amenities, including woods, nursery, schools and shops. The ground floor rooms are used for childminding. Children have access to a front garden for outdoor play which is fenced and has a six foot hedge and a triple locked gate, making it very secure.

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Description of the childminding

The family have three cats, five guinea pigs and keep tropical fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of seven children under eight years at any one time; and four in the early years when working with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

She is currently caring for six children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. Children attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder sometimes minds with an assistant. The childminder take and collects children from the local school. The childminder provides care for children Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6.30pm for 46 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a qualified Nursery Nurse and also has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in childcare and education and learning and development. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Redcar and Cleveland Quality Assured Children Come First Network and the Aiming High for Disabled Children Network. She also has an Advanced Apprenticeship in Childcare,

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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 provides a welcoming, stimulating and enabling environment for all children. Regular and ongoing communication with parents effectively enables the childminder to be clearly aware of each child's individual needs, so that their welfare is fully promoted. The rich learning environment helps children make good progress towards the early learning goals and parents are fully involved in this process. The childminder reviews her practice to identify areas for further improvement and implements changes to enhance the children's care and experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment is regularly reviewed, at 08/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 least once a year, and includes each and every outing and record any action taken following a review or incident.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to track children's learning and development towards the Early Learning Goals  continue to develop the systems already in place to share relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions.

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the early years provision

Documentation is well organised and written policies and procedures are effective in promoting children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder is fully aware of her duty to protect children in her care and has attended child protection awareness training. Checks have been completed on all household members to ensure they are suitable to be in regular contact with children. The premises are safe and secure and the childminder has taken good steps to minimise hazards; for example, electrical sockets are protected and safety gates are in place. However, although risk assessments have been carried out, they have not been reviewed regularly to identify any new potential hazards and to maintain the safety of the children. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder is an experienced, qualified, childcare practitioner. She is committed to her own professional development and successfully meets most of the welfare requirements

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a caring and professional service. She demonstrates good organisational skills and is committed to continual improvement. She evaluates her practice effectively and actively seeks parents' and children's views through questionnaires to identify strengths and weakness of the provision. This also enables parents and children to make suggestions and give ideas to help make further improvements. The childminder offers a high standard of care and education to the children she minds. The recommendations made at the last inspection have been implemented and have improved the quality of care provided for the children. Space within the childminder's home is appropriately organised to provide children with a homely, warm and welcoming environment where they can learn, relax and have fun. There is a wide range of good quality resources, which supports children's development and the childminder is aware of the need to

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the early years provision

ensure these also raise children's awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are extremely well-developed, and parents are very pleased with the 'excellent service' provided. Parents are made fully aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, as the childminder has displays in the entrance of the home regarding the framework. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child, particularly when the child first starts. For example, the childminder finds out about a child's ability and development through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 'All about me' booklets, discussions and initial meetings. This information is used as a basis for their individual care and learning. The constant exchange of information such as monthly news letters, text messaging, children's individual files, half yearly progress reports and daily verbal information ensures that children's ever changing needs are met. Parents are kept up-to-date with their

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the early years provision

child's progress as the childminder shares individual learning folders which contain both photographic and written evidence of their involvement in various activities. The childminder passes on relevant information about children's care to other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has good systems in place to share relevant information about children. For example, following schools and nursery themes and topics and exchanging newsletters with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, although the childminder has tried to develop the system to share information about children's learning development with other providers, these are not fully effective and in place. This does not fully support continuity of learning for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are secure and relaxed in their play, confident of support, but able to develop their own ideas. For example, they improvise with laces attached to the trucks wheels to pull the train back up the bamboo ramp they have made. Children's work is proudly displayed in their 'art gallery' in the hall, which helps to promote good self-esteem and ensures they feel valued. The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance to help her to plan and provides activities to promote children's learning and development. Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has individual files for each of the children. These include photographs of children playing and engaged in activities, samples of children's art work and written observations. These observations cover all areas of learning and children's next steps are identified; most of these are linked to

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and outcomes for children

individual planning. However, systems to track children's progress towards the Early Learning Goals have not yet been developed.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a varied programme of activities, which broadens the children's experiences and supports their learning effectively. This includes times for exercise and fresh air daily and children play out in the garden, go for walks and trips to the park. They visit toddler groups and other childminder's homes, where they learn to mix with others their own age and they take part in creative activities, both there and at the childminder's home. Children are developing a suitable awareness of the wider world and this is fostered in a range of ways. For example, children have access to books and puzzles that show positive images of diversity, they play with multicultural dolls and participate in some activities inspired by religious and cultural festivals. They learn about their local community as they buy fruit at the shops and market, they have fun chopping it up and tasting the new fruits they have bought. Children also enjoy planting seeds, they

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and outcomes for children

water and care for them and monitor their growth. Children wash, cook and eat This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their products. Children enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities as they explore a range of painting techniques and make models from junk materials. The childminder is actively involved in children's play and she and the children enjoy reading books and singing together. Children explore technology in battery operated toys and they thoroughly enjoy moving to the sounds and music they make with the instruments. They make marks with the pens, pencils and finger paints. Children enjoy a variety of different play opportunities to support all areas of their learning and development. For example, they use numbers in everyday play and count how many pieces of fruit they have at snack time, with the support from the childminder. Children identify everyday objects and learn to recognise

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and outcomes for children

shapes and colours, ensuring all children build on what they know and can do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides all meals and snacks for most of the children and has a good understanding of the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet. The childminder takes necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection; for example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Older children know the reason why they need to wash their hands and proudly recite "we wash the germs off them". Babies' hands and faces are regularly cleaned with baby wipes and are encouraged to rub their hands together after using anti-bacterial hand gel. Children do not attend if they are sick. This enables the childminder to protect others from illness and supports children's good health. Children are learning how to protect themselves as they are taught about road safety during outings and on the journey to and from school. They are reminded about dangers in the home and they practice the emergency

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and outcomes for children

evacuation procedure regularly. Trips to the local police and fire station and taking part in the busy bees road safety scheme helps further to reinforce and raise children's awareness of safety. Children are familiar with the home routine, rules and boundaries and the childminder's positive approach to behaviour management ensures the children enjoy lots of praise and develop positive self-esteem. 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 1 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 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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