Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420224 Inspection date 25/07/2011 Inspector Lynne Pope

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and one child aged 22 months old. They live in the residential area of Brompton on Swale in North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor and the spare bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. Currently, there is one child that attends in this age group. The childminder cares for children Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. She escorts children to and from the local school.

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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 are happy and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder promotes an inclusive, healthy and safe environment where she responds to the individual needs and interests of the children. The childminder understands her strengths and identifies suitable areas for development. She has made good progress to develop her service since registration and demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She works very well with parents in order to meet children's individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children wash their hands consistently before eating.

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the early years provision

Clearly written policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. This is reflected in her understanding regarding recognising possible signs and symptoms and the procedures she would follow should she have a child protection concern. Records have been developed and are maintained with care and attention to detail. For example, written risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and any outings that children go on. This ensures that children are cared for in a very safe environment. The childminder provides a welcoming environment which helps children to feel very secure and valued. Excellent use is made of space throughout the ground floor to provide a wide range of different activities and experiences. Resources are well maintained and checked on a regular basis. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children make their own choices and decide where they would like to pursue the activity which develops their independence and self-esteem. The focus of activities is on the child's interests which helps them to achieve planned goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improvement and professional development. She has started to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form which has helped her to identify areas for further development. She has attended training courses for observation, assessment and recording for beginners which has helped her develop learning journals to record children's progress against the Early Years Foundation Stage learning goals very effectively. Though no children currently attend with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the childminder through discussion shows an understanding of how she would fully integrate them into her provision.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the very positive relationships that have been developed between the childminder and parents. Parents are able to read through the personally written policies and procedures when their child first starts. A daily diary is completed by the childminder and shared with parents who also have the opportunity to write in comments. This ensures effective communication on the occasions when face to face discussions cannot take place. The child's learning journal is available for parents to peruse, at anytime which along with the daily diary helps them to support and extend their child's learning at home. Parents are very positive about the standard of care and learning that their child receives.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and thrive in the stimulating and caring environment. Information is sought from parents through them completing an individual needs form about their child's likes, dislikes, needs and interests before they start. This enables the childminder to plan and organise the systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their needs. Consequently, children have the opportunity to participate in a good range of activities and experiences and the childminder is able to plan and promote their individual development and learning requirements with success.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has formed warm, caring relationships with the children and they have settled well into her care. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play well on their own, with each other and with the childminder. Their language skills develop as they begin to communicate in areas that interest them. They develop an interest in books as they select one to look at. Number is incorporated into every play activity. As children build a tower, the childminder counts how many pieces they use. They copy her saying the number names. Early information and communication technology resources help them to understand simple mechanisms and how to operate them as they press a button to make them work. They create and experiment with colours mixing them together and then painting onto the paper. The childminder has made musical instruments with the children and they show an interest in the way they sound as they shake

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and outcomes for children

the paper plates with bells on and the water bottles filled with things that rattle. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Imaginative play involves them in placing the dolls in and out of a highchair and buggy. They pretend to make food and pour cups of tea in the well resourced toy kitchen. Children benefit from access to the fresh air and exercise in the garden, on the trips to school and to the park. The childminder's flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, promoting children's well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is enhanced as the childminder demonstrates acceptable behaviour and practice. She has a calm, consistent attitude to caring for them. She sets clear boundaries which she promotes through lots of praise for their efforts. This results in children being well behaved. Children take part in the community in which they live by regularly visiting a toddler group where they learn to mix with other children and make friends. The childminder provides a healthy and balanced diet and encourages them to try new tastes, such as tuna sandwiches. She talks about what they are eating to develop their understanding of healthy foods. However, she does not consistently promote children washing their hands before a meal to minimise the spread of cross-infection. Organisation of the home enables children to take safe risks as they become mobile and they learn to stay safe through the childminder's guidance.

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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 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 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 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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