Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314490 Inspection date 23/05/2011 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband in the town of Holme-on-Spalding Moor in the East Riding. The childminder uses the playroom, kitchen and the living room for rest and sleeping purposes, and the bathroom is on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outside play. The house is within walking distance of a range of local facilities, including shops, schools, a park and a library.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups regularly.

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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's learning and development is well promoted as they benefit from a wide range of stimulating and interesting planned and spontaneous activities. Relationships with parents and others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage are good, helping to promote continuity of care and support children's learning and development. All children and parents are made to feel welcome as part of the childminder's commitment to provide an inclusive service. The childminder has begun to reflect on the service she provides and shows that she has the capacity to develop the service further.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon the already good systems for monitoring children's progress to show how children's next steps are effectively planned for.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and how to safeguard children. For example, her safeguarding policy is comprehensive and shared with parents and she has recently completed an online child protection refresher course, which ensures her knowledge and understanding of these issues are up-to-date. All adults living in the house have undergone the relevant checks to ensure their suitability to be in close proximity to children. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrates a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, reflected in the detailed range of policies and procedures which underpin her practice. This, combined with up-to-date records for attendance, medication administration and accidents, ensures children are well protected. The childminder has good risk assessments in place to ensure any risks are analysed

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the early years provision

and action is promptly taken. Rooms are well organised, with resources set out daily to entice the children to explore and engage in a range of activities of their own choosing. Equipment is of good quality and well maintained to fully support children's different stages of learning and development. The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children and their families. She is fully aware of children's needs and tailors her care to meet the needs of individual children.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good relationships forged between the childminder and their parents. They have a clear insight into their children's time within the childminder's care because they exchange information at the beginning and end of the day and through the effective sharing of their children's learning journal. Through this, the childminder makes sure parents are aware of their children's ongoing progress and actively encourages them to make their own contribution to this process. The childminder is able to act in children's best interests because she collates detailed information from parents when their placement starts. Parents are informed about key policies and procedures at registration, including the complaints procedure, which includes Ofsted's contact details. The childminder has developed successful working relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring the efficient exchange of relevant information. For

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the early years provision

example, the nursery share with her their planning, which she uses to provide activities based around their themes, helping children to reaffirm and consolidate their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good attempt at evaluating the service she provides. She has recently introduced parental questionnaires to help her monitor and evaluate the service provided from their perspective. The childminder has identified some areas for development, for example, she recognises the need to develop further how she can develop children's awareness of the various different cultures within our society.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an enabling environment which is well organised and conducive to learning. Children enjoy their time with the childminder as close and caring relationships have been established. Observations and monitoring of children's progress are thorough and reflect the childminder's good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the individual children in her care. The childminder uses the information gained from her observations to plan activities taking into account the children's interests and capabilities. Alongside the narrative observation, children's learning journals also contain photographs and samples of their creative work, all of which help to demonstrate the good progress they are making. Children's next steps are identified and although the childminder is able to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outline how she plans to address them, she is not yet recording this within their

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and outcomes for children

learning journals to help track their progress over time.

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and outcomes for children

The children take part in many worthwhile learning experiences which contribute to the development of their future skills. They attend the local toddler group where they can interact with others to support the development of their social skills. Children begin to develop their interest in books, which are easily accessible, and enjoy sharing a book with the childminder. Consequently, this supports the development of their language and literacy skills. The childminder promotes babies' early communications skills as she makes good use of everyday routines, such as nappy changing or meal times, to be physically close and make good eye contact. She responds with interest to their different ways of communicating so that they learn to convey their wants and needs and begin to establish their own identities and personalities. Children's understanding of number is explored in everyday experiences, such as play, as well as during their walk to and from school. They

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and outcomes for children

develop their matching and problem solving skills when completing puzzles of varying ability and working out how to put the correct shapes in the sorter. Many activities contribute to the development of the children's physical skills and healthy lifestyle. Their walk to and from school daily and access equipment in the garden and at the park. Very young children are helped to develop their walking, gaining in confidence as they hold onto the furniture, the childminder's hands or the sturdy baby walker. Children explore their creativity through a variety of experiences which include free painting, role play and playing with musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children demonstrate a great deal of curiosity as they examine the toys and spend time exploring and working out how to operate the activity centre and pretend till. This helps to build children's concentration, supports their ability to make connections in their learning and helps them develop their skills with technology. The childminder provides babies with treasure baskets of various tactile objects and as a result they begin to develop their skills and show curiosity and interest in their surroundings. Opportunities for children to learn about people's differences include accessing play materials, such as books, which promote positive images of diversity. The childminder has identified that she wishes to focus more on developing children's awareness and understanding of different cultures by celebrating various festivals during the year. The childminder is a good role model, who teaches the children about kindness and respect

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and outcomes for children

through the positive example she sets. Good behaviour is encouraged through praise, and guidance is given about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Parents provide children with a healthy packed lunch, complemented by snacks and drinks provided by the childminder. Good ongoing communication with parents ensures that the childminder has a clear understanding of the individual dietary needs of each child in her care and takes into account any likes or dislikes. Consistent adult support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene and become increasingly independent in their personal care, for example, washing their hands before eating, after playing outside and after using the bathroom. The childminder effectively achieves a good balance between freedom and safety. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder gives clear guidelines, which she subtly reinforces with sensitive reminders, such as not to approach unfamiliar dogs and how to cross roads safely as part of their walks and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

outings. There is also an appropriate emergency evacuation procedure in place which is practised with the 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 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 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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