Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358487 Inspection date 10/01/2012 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 2007. She lives with her seven year old daughter in Marske. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. Children have use of a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years, of whom, three may be under five and one may be under one. She is also registered to care for children aged over eight years. The childminder is currently caring for seven children, of whom three are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder cares for children on weekdays and Saturdays from 7am to 7pm for 48 weeks of the year. She takes and collects children from the local school and to the local parent and toddler group.

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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 settled in the friendly and welcoming environment provided by the childminder. Systems to show children's progress towards the early learning goals are not fully implemented. However, children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder interacts well with them to extend their learning and provides a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. This is combined with suitable procedures to work with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs. Children's welfare is promoted well and all required documentation to safeguard them is in place. The childminder evaluates her provision effectively, this helps to identify areas for development and improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 make effective use of observations of children to assess the progress children are making towards the early learning goals  develop systems to identify children's starting points based on information gained from talking to them, their parents and observations  promote effective continuity and progression for all children by introducing systems to share information about children's care and learning with other professionals and parents. 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 well cared for in an environment which is comfortable and secure. Risks are identified successfully, addressed and minimised effectively through the use of appropriate safety procedures, such as, locking external doors and keeping hazardous materials out of children's reach. This is further supported by a clear record of risk assessment for all areas of the home and outings. The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding signs and symptoms, including procedures to follow if she had a concern about a child. Consequently, children are well protected.

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the early years provision

Parents speak highly of the care and learning provided by the childminder, explaining that she is 'willing to go the extra mile'. They receive copies of her policies and procedures at the start and are kept up to date about the activities she provides through newsletters. The childminder gathers sufficient information at the start to ensure that children have their individual care needs well met, for example, diet and medical requirements. She has suitable procedures in place to keep parents up to date about their child's care and learning, for example, daily verbal feedback and sending photo messages. However, she has not further developed her systems to share observations of children's learning with parents, or to gather information about children's starting points. This means that parents may not be fully aware of their child's progress towards the early learning goals and makes it difficult to track children's progress. The childminder demonstrates a

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the early years provision

positive attitude towards ensuring that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are included at her setting. She is caring and sensitive and provides children with cuddles and reassurance, this helps them to feel secure at her setting. She is aware of the other providers and professionals working with the children. However, systems to effectively share information to ensure continuity of care and learning for such children are not fully established.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to reflecting on and evaluating her practice in order to improve outcomes for children. She has made good use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form, gathers feedback from parents and discusses practice with other childminders. The childminder has also positively addressed all recommendations raised at the previous inspection. This demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement. The effective organisation of space and resources along with the good levels of support provided by the childminder allow children to move around safely and freely. This helps them to develop their independence and allows them to make choices about their learning and play.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in the childminder's care, because she provides a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. This is combined with good interaction from the childminder to support children's learning. The childminder has a developing understanding of the learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to make observations of the children's learning. These are linked to the areas of learning and used to identify next steps in children's development. However, they are not linked to the practice guidance, this makes it difficult to see children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Babies lie contently on the floor grasping hold of toys and are beginning to find a voice as they shout, gurgle and giggle. The childminder sits on the floor and engages well with older children as they play, for example, naming shapes and colours as they explore shape sorters. The childminder further supports their communication skills as she encourages them to name objects and repeats words to them. She explains, that the children enjoy books and she spends lots of time reading to them. Children use counting and numbers as part of their everyday play, for example, the childminder explains how they count how many trees they see on a walk and identify numbers on car registration plates. The children have good opportunities to develop their creative and imaginative skills, for example, they sit happily playing with tea sets and draw, colour, glue and stick. Children are encouraged to consider and respect

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and outcomes for children

diversity through access to a wide range of positive images and resources. This is combined with planned activities, such as, trying Chinese Food and celebrating Hanukah. Children behave well in the childminders care as she employs a consistent approach to behaviour management. This is combined with regular praise and encouraging children to be considerate of others. This helps them to develop their skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is successfully promoted by the childminder. They learn about keeping safe through planned activities, such as, practising road safety, fire drills and trips to the local fire station. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to good health. They have regular opportunities to take part in physical play activities. For example, playing in the garden and going for walks to the beach or the woods. Planned activities, such as fruit tasting along with consistent daily routines for hand washing further supports their understanding of healthy lifestyles. All required documentation along with effective policies, such as sick child procedures, help to safeguard children's good health. 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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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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