Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314372 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Christine Tipple ISP Inspection

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and four children aged 17, 15, 12 and seven years old in a village near the town of Driffield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and attend activities in the local area. The family has a cat. The childminder uses her car for transporting children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 nine children attending and of these six are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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 has a Level 3 childcare qualification and is accredited to receive funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four-years-old. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local network support group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children have excellent care and learning opportunities provided by the childminder, which ensures they make very good progress in all areas of learning. Children's individual needs are fully recognised and supported in an inclusive environment. The childminder gives high priority to the children's ongoing safety and well-being through her efficient management and practice. Excellent partnerships are formed with parents and overall in the wider community. The childminder's approach to continuous improvement is exemplary. She is skilled in her approach to evaluate her practice and clearly identify areas to further improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the current partnership with the school to further enhance the sharing of information to support continuity of children's learning needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are very well protected due to the childminder's secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She is aware of the signs of abuse and what to do if she had a concern. All guidance and contact information on the relevant agencies are clearly recorded and easily accessible. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures, which are fully shared with parents. These are regularly reviewed to ensure they reflect current guidelines and practice. The risk assessments are detailed and clearly cover all areas children come into contact with, including outings. These are monitored and action taken if risks change to ensure children's ongoing safety. The childminder's commitment to self evaluation is very good. Opportunities are provided to enable parents and the children to contribute to this process. This results in a shared plan which identifies clear and achievable outcomes for the future.

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the early years provision

The relationships formed by the childminder within the community and other services are very good. Children have a wide range of wonderful experiences provided by the childminder's creative use of resources, activities and visits to places of interest. The positive link with the school has developed well and information is shared to promote continuity for the children in relation to their ongoing needs. However, this continues to be reviewed to further extend the opportunities to share information in relation to children's learning. There is an excellent approach to working in partnerships with parents. The childminder values each child's needs to ensure they settle and develop a secure sense of belonging. Parents have a detailed welcome pack which provides full details of the childminders provision and practice. They are kept well informed on a daily basis of their child's day. This is done verbally and through the diaries and their children's

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the early years provision

informative learning books, which provide a clear account of their many achievements. Parent's comments all contribute to a shared approach to the children's ongoing development. They are very complementary about the childminder and how much they appreciate the information and time she gives to discuss their child. They enjoy seeing their children's learning books and the range of excellent activities and fun their children have with the childminder. The parent questionnaires also provide feedback which praise the childminder's professional approach and the positive impact this has on their children's ongoing progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder seeks a range of information from parents about their child to ensure she is aware of their varied needs. This enables her to provide an inclusive environment where the children are included in all aspects of the provision. The childminder takes time to support children to understand and value diversity. She takes account of children's own identity and traditions as well as other celebrations throughout the year, such as pancake day and Chinese New Year. There is a wide range of resources and infomation that reflect other cultures around the world. The children are very enthusiastic towards all the activities and are happy to try new things. Children take an active part in planning what they do and to become confident in making choices in their play and learning. The childminder has an excellent selection of resources and equipment which are stored at low levels so they are easily accessible to the children. There is a positive approach to

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sustainability and the re-use of materials, such as cardboard tubes, wood and other materials. The children know to put apple cores and banana skins in the compost pot and collect paper to put into the recycling bin.

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and outcomes for children

Children are motivated and interested to learn. The childminder spends quality time talking with the children about activities and links these to their interests. The range of excellent experiences provided for the children fully maximise their learning opportunities. The well managed balance between adult and child initiated play enables the children to explore and investigate with confidence. The childminder regularly observes and assesses the children and which is supported with photographs and captions of what the children are doing. These provide a well presented story about each child's learning and ongoing progress through clearly identified next steps. The childminder monitors this to ensure progress continues. She encourages the children to develop their independence, such as using different tools and dressing themselves. She supports the children to develop their social skills, including learning to negotiate with each other and to respect

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and outcomes for children

other people. They are confident in using their manners and respond to the routines and age appropriate boundaries in place. The childminder values what the children say and listens to them. She is aware of the importance of helping children to develop their self-esteem and to enable them to safeguard themselves. Children engage confidently in conversations and discuss their families and other experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children have various games, such as word lotto, which supports children to sound out letters and words and to recognise their own names. The childminder is skilful in how she engages the children to enable them to express themselves fully. This is highly effective in extending their vocabulary. The childminder uses other forms of communication, such as visual displays and baby signing with the children. They have very good access to books and stories, which are enhanced with additional props through the story sacks. Children have numerous opportunities to mark make at all ages, such as finger painting, using various brushes, pencils and crayons. Children have excellent opportunities to use numbers and problem solve through the very good range of daily activities provided. They use various puzzles which enable the children to fit the different pieces together confidently. The children develop their skills to match a number to objects and to sequence using

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and outcomes for children

shape, size and colour. Children acess sand and water play which promotes the use of words, such as full and empty and they weigh out ingredients for their baking.

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and outcomes for children

Children plant and nurture vegetables which encourages them eat healthily and understand how things grow. Children have great opportunities to explore and investigate through the garden and other outdoor activities, such as watching the water flow down the guttering. Children regularly go to the local farm and attend a weekly music and movement group. Children visit the parks, beach and museum which involves using different forms of transport to get there. Children enjoy using This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their imagination through their role play and small world resources. The childminder fully promotes children's physical play which incorporates different skills to promote their ongoing development. Children play outside daily to extend and challenge their mobility and manoeuvring abilities. The childminder provides an excellent selection of natural resources for the children to create with. They use

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and outcomes for children

real tools, such as nails and a saw to build and make models with. The children use a wide variety of materials and mediums to design and create their own ideas very well.

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and outcomes for children

High priority is given to all aspects of children's health, safety and well-being by the childminder. She assesses safety issues and installs the appropriate safety equipment for the children. The children take part in the evacuation procedure which enables them to understand what they need to do in such an emergency. Children gain confidence in knowing when it is safe to cross the road. The childminder involves children in risk assessing activities, such as tree climbing and their wood work. Through the children's daily routines they are confident and informed about managing their personal hygiene. Children are provided with meals and snacks, which offer them a very good selection of freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious food. The children take part in growing vegetables and fruit which they help to prepare and very much enjoy. The childminder has a wide range of supportive information for parents, which includes the exclusion periods relating to

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and outcomes for children

their children's health to ensure that all steps are taken to minimise cross infection. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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