Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418663 Inspection date 03/08/2011 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 was registered in 2011. She lives in the Eston area of Redcar and Cleveland with her husband and school-aged child. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property, which is used for outdoor activities.

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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, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the complusory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds an early years qualification.

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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 benefit from the childminder's genuine commitment to supporting the individual needs of all children in her care. She provides an inclusive and welcoming environment, where she works closely with parents to gather information in order to effectively meet children's individual care needs. Children's learning is purposefully promoted, and children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has made a positive start to her self- evaluation by identifying her strengths and areas for further development to help improve outcomes for children. This indicates good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide opportunities for very young children to use more natural play resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision well. All of the required records for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and effectively maintained, including children's details and appropriate consents. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Children are kept safe in the home and on outings, as the childminder has completed and recorded risk assessments which highlight and address all possible hazards to children. This is combined with daily checks and effective safety procedures, such as keeping external doors closed and the use of stair gates and a fire guard. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder organises her resources well to help children to make choices about their learning and play. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to

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the early years provision

inclusion. She works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual care needs, such as dietary and medical requirements. The childminder invites parents and children to introductory meetings and settling-in sessions. These provide good opportunities for parents to get to know how she works and help children to get to know her and her home. The childminder encourages parents to read her policies and procedures, which they sign to say they have read and understood. Consequently, parents are well informed about the service she provides. Effective systems, such as daily dairies, verbal feedback, access to children's learning files, texts and picture messages, keep parents well informed about their child's care and learning. Written comments from the parents demonstrate their satisfaction with the service provided. There are no children who currently attend any other settings. However,

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the early years provision

the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of sharing information with other providers to promote continuity of care and learning for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced early years practitioner. She is very familiar with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and she is keen to complete further training workshops to complement her existing knowledge. She has attended some short courses, such as storytelling, food hygiene, and child protection. She is enthusiastic and reflects carefully on what has worked well and improvements she can make to her setting, implementing clear action plans for future development. This ensures continuous improvement and leads to better outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in their surroundings and in the company of the childminder. The childminder carefully and sensitively follows their individual care routines to provide continuity of care. She is flexible to the needs of parents and provides a home from home by creating a calm, reassuring atmosphere where the children settle easily. She gathers information from parents about what their children know and can do, which she uses as the starting points for her initial observations. Her regular observations of children show an intuitive insight into children's enjoyment and engagement with the broad range of activities. The observations are linked to the six areas of learning and the information is used effectively to plan for their next steps. The childminder knows the children exceptionally well and is clear about how she will help children achieve the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established a loving and caring relationship with the children and provides them with a good level of sensitive and appropriate support. She uses lots of eye contact, verbal and facial expression as she plays with them, which encourages younger children to vocalise and interact. Their early attempts to communicate are fostered really well as the childminder responds immediately This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to their babbles and gestures. Plenty of floor space is provided to allow for younger children to develop physical skills such as rolling on the floor and reaching and grasping for toys. Resources are stored at a low level, which allows younger children easy access, and they confidently help themselves to an assortment of activity, musical and interactive toys. The toys are very well maintained and are mostly very good quality, manufactured toys. Children have limited opportunities

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and outcomes for children

to access more everyday and natural objects. Babies enthusiastically show their curiosity as they bang the toys which create light and sound. They delight in the opportunity to bounce up and down on the childminders knee as the music is played. The childminder does not currently care for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she fully understands the importance of working closely with outside agencies to ensure children's needs are met effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Very young children show they feel safe through their use of body language, smiling as the childminder gently picks them up from their nap, looking for her when she disappears from view and snuggling up to her for cuddles. Parents provide the children with their meals, and this ensures that all their dietary needs are met well. Numerous outings and activities ensure children have daily opportunities to enjoy the fresh air, including visits to the local park and woodlands, where they are able to observe their surrounding and the people in it. When playing in the garden, children play with a variety of equipment, such as wheeled toys, sand, water and a play house. During periods of hot weather, the childminder keeps children safe by planning for outdoor play when the garden is shaded. The childminder further ensures safety as she uses appropriate car restraints and always carries emergency contact details with her. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

has clear policies and procedures in place to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Provision is made for children to rest during the day and hygiene procedures are consistently implemented. 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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