Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY286425 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Donna Lancater

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 10 and 13 years in Marske, in Redcar and Cleveland. The home is close to shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to 15 children aged over five to 11 years. Children attend on a part time basis. The childminder operates from 7.30am until 5.30pm for 46 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service which is welcoming to children and parents alike. She has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a selection of toys and activities which enables children to make steady progress in their learning and development. Suitable partnerships have been established with parents to ensure that she is meeting the individual needs of the children. The childminder is keen to develop her practice. She has begun to develop procedures to monitor and evaluate her provision, and as a result has a sufficient understanding of her areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment of the premises, including all outings and areas that children come into contact with. Clearly state when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 07/04/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon the systems already in place for recording children's progress, including identifying children's next steps in their learning and linking these to individual planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop procedures to regularly share children's learning and development records and any other relevant information with other practitioners  develop further procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has a sound understanding of her role in protecting children. She has suitable knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse. Relevant contact details are accessible to enable the childminder to act promptly if she has any concerns. In addition, suitable checks have been completed on adults living at the premises. Consent to obtain emergency medical treatment is in place and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This ensures that she could respond appropriately to accidents. The childminder suitably promotes children's safety as she maintains close observation of them and implements appropriate procedures, such as, ensuring the premises are secure, electrical sockets are protected and checking space prior to children playing outside. However, the childminder does not have a record of risk assessments for all areas of the home, all outings or the garden to further

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the early years provision

safeguard children and meet the legal requirements.

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the early years provision

Children play in a well maintained, homely environment. The childminder ensures that a suitable selection of play materials is displayed at the children's height to promote independence and free choice. The childminder has some awareness of further improvements that she would like to make to her provision. For example, she is keen to develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage further. However, self-evaluation is in the early stages of development. She has attended some training since her last inspection and positively addressed the recommendations in order to promote outcomes for children. For example, hygiene procedures have improved and she now accurately records medication administered to children and ensure all medication records are signed by parents. The childminder does not have any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attending the setting in the early years age group. However, she

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the early years provision

demonstrates a genuine commitment to ensuring that all children are included and to working with parents to meet individual needs. The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and their families.

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the early years provision

Appropriate procedures are in place to work with parents. Parents speak highly of the care and learning their children receive. They have sight of the childminder's policies and procedures at the start and relevant information, such as, her certificate of registration are clearly displayed. This ensures that parents are kept well informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up-to-date about their children's learning and care through verbal feedback. The childminder has good relationships in place with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has not developed these any further to share information about children's individual learning and progression towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Warm relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children, which increases children's sense of trust and this helps them to develop a sense of self. The childminder has a appropriate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she knows the children well. The childminder provides a suitable balance of adult led activities and free-play which enables children to make steady progress. Children have individual files which contain some photographs and some written observations of children playing. All areas of learning are recorded. However, these are not focussed on the specific aspects of learning and next steps are not linked to planning for the individual child.

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and outcomes for children

A suitable range of jigsaws, building blocks and games helps children to begin to develop their problem solving skills. The childminder further extends learning as she encourages children to name the colours of the rattles and other bright coloured toys. As they set up the farm together she encourages the children to name the animals and ask what noise they make. Children have regular opportunities to develop their communication, language and literacy skills. They independently select books to look at or take to the childminder to read together. They are also beginning to copy words as they attempt to sing along with rhymes, such as, 'wind the bobbin up'. The childminder attends a weekly toddler group, which provide children with a range of activities, such as, play dough, painting and imaginative play. Such activities also provide children with regular opportunities to socialise with their peers. Children begin to develop an understanding of living and

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and outcomes for children

growing as they plant flowers, fruit and vegetables, such as, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries and marigolds. This further helps in developing children's awareness of healthy eating, their number and problem solving skills as they water them, measure them and watch them grow. Children then harvest their produce, wash, cook and eat it. Children are beginning to develop skills for the future as older children use the computer to look for information and young children use a variety of programmable toys.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements effective procedures to promote children's good health. For example, daily clean hand towels, regular hand washing and a clear sick child procedure helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The children enjoy regular opportunities to be active and this is supported by planned activities, such as, shopping, taking the dog for walks, visits to parks, occasional trips to the beach and the soft play centre. Practicing regular fire drills and road safety procedures helps children to begin to learn the importance of keeping themselves safe. In addition, relevant documentation to support children's welfare, such as, accidents and medication policies are in place and up-to-date. Meals are usually provided by parents, supplemented by light snacks provided by the childminder, such as fresh fruit, crisps or biscuits. Drinks are available at all times to prevent the children from becoming thirsty.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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