Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY275275 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in November 2003. She lives in the Brotton area of Saltburn-by-the-Sea with her husband, their two teenage children and adult daughter. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes. The home is accessed by five steps at the front of the house and is close to a library, Sure Start centre, play parks, beach and primary school. There is a garden available to the front of the property for outdoor play. The family have a dog and three cats, which minded children have supervised access to.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is included on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children aged 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 on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range. All children attend on a part-time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder currently provides care each weekday, with the exception of Tuesday, between the hours of 7.30am and 5.30pm, all year round. She escorts children to and from the local school and also to a nursery in a nearby village. She attends some local social groups with minded children.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively meets the needs of children in the early years age range. They make good progress in their learning and development. Inclusion is promoted well and the childminder is committed to promoting the individual welfare and learning for all children in her care. Overall, good safety procedures provide a safe and secure environment and the provision is warm and welcoming, with most registered areas being well used. Effective evaluation procedures support the continuous improvement of the provision. Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 make more regular use of all registered areas to ensure that space ratios are maintained  develop the policy for a lost child, to include the actual procedure to be followed  ensure that records relating to vehicles used to transport children are accessible and available for inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded and the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. Effective risk assessment procedures are conducted and appropriate steps are taken to ensure a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment for children. However, the safety gate across the kitchen entrance is not adequately fixed in place. All adults in the household have complied with vetting procedures.

p.5

the early years provision

Comprehensive self-evaluation is undertaken and effectively supports the continuous improvement of the provision. The childminder has a very positive attitude to personal development and has attended many additional training courses since the last inspection. For example, training in relation to first aid, every child a talker (ECAT), letters and sounds, mind stretchers, a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3, managing difficult behaviour and awareness of child abuse and neglect. Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available. However, records relating to the vehicle used to transport minded children are not available for inspection and the policy in place for a lost child does not include the actual procedure to be followed. There are many effective policies and procedures in place, such as, a procedure for promoting children's rights, house rules, behaviour management and a transition

p.5

the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment. The deployment of resources is effective, allowing children easy access to a varied range of age-appropriate items in the dining room and garden. They spend some time in the lounge for some activities, such as reading. However, more regular use of the lounge is required to ensure that space ratios are maintained. The reading area and books in the day care room are not easy to identify. The childminder is committed to meeting children's needs and obtains comprehensive written information from parents. Specific details about each child are effectively used as a basis for their individual care. Independence is soundly promoted and the childminder takes children's interests and capabilities into account when planning activities.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers and their views about the provision are sought through general discussions and written comments. They are kept fully informed of their child's progress and development through regular discussions, the use of a daily diary and access to their child's learning journey file. Parents also have good access to the policies and procedures of the setting. The childminder is developing working relationships with other settings that children attend. She shares general information about children's individual learning, supports transitions and offers consistent care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder makes regular observations of children and effectively uses the information to plan for and promote their further development. High quality activity planning for individual children comprehensively covers all areas of learning. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals. They are well behaved and the childminder has a very calm and gentle manner, which promotes a very relaxed and friendly environment.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care and receive lots of positive care and attention. Their emotional needs are met well and they begin to form good relationships with each other, as well as with the childminder. They are supported as they learn to keep themselves safe through routines and discussions. For example, they participate in regular fire drills and learn about road safety when they go out for a walk.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. They receive healthy and nutritious snacks, drinks and meals throughout the day. Snack time is an enjoyable and sociable occasion. Children's health is also promoted through effective policies and procedures, such as, good hygiene procedures. They have regular access to outdoor play activities and resources, which promotes physical development. Children show an interest in books and enjoy joining in with stories. They have different opportunities to practise their early mark making and drawing skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are supported to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. They have access to some programmable toys and to resources and activities which reflect wider society, such as, books, play figures and dolls. They wear 'splash suits' for investigating and digging in the garden and listen carefully to noises outside, such as birds singing. Children's language and communication skills are progressed by the childminder as she speaks clearly to them and encourages them to repeat words correctly. The childminder has also purchased some specialist resources to promote children's listening and speaking skills and support their inclusion.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's early problem solving skills are promoted through the use of shape sorters, jigsaw puzzles and various construction toys. They participate in different counting songs and rhymes. Children are often praised and encouraged by the childminder, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They enjoy role play activities with different vehicles and make sounds as they push the vehicles along the floor. They also enjoy a range of musical instruments and listen carefully to differences in the range of sounds. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8