Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430561 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 husband and three children aged three, five, and seven years in New Marske. The whole of the ground floor, the third bedroom, and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden and yard available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early year's age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The family have various animals as pets including a dog, a cat, and guinea pigs.

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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

The childminder has made a very positive start to childminding. Despite only caring for children for a relatively short period of time, effective steps are in place to promote their learning and development. All children are fully included, are very much recognised and valued as individuals, and are making good progress. Trusting relationships are in place with parents. These help the childminder to ensure children's needs are fully met. The childminder has the ability and the enthusiasm to further improve standards. Consequently the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further use of self evaluation forms and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review - assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria  develop effective communication between settings to ensure there is continuity in children's learning  record risk assessments connected with each type of outings and review these at regular intervals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a safeguarding course to ensure she has the knowledge and information needed to protect children in her care. Checks have been completed on household members to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with children. Her home is safe and secure and she conducts effective risk assessments which identify the steps she needs to take to reduce potential risks. These include preventing children's access to the kitchen and blind cords. The childminder makes sure children are safe when attending different groups. However, she does not keep a record of the potential risks to children associated with all of the venues that are visited. Documentation is very well organised and confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is first aid trained and keeps appropriate records of any accidents and incidents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and is very keen to provide the best possible care for children. She is committed to developing her practice and does this through sharing good practice with fellow childminders, consulting with advisors from the local authority, and reading information from Ofsted and the National Childminding Association. As yet, she is not using procedures such as self-evaluation forms and questionnaires to help her identify areas for the development of the provision. The childminder manages her time well to support children's learning and development. Good use is made of local groups in the community. However, she also recognises the importance of children spending time in her home where they can play in a relaxed environment and rest without disturbance. Resources are plentiful, are in good condition, and are easily accessible to children. This develops children's independence and encourages them to make choices. The childminder is very

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the early years provision

aware of individual needs and provides appropriate support to promote each child's development. She takes good steps to ensure all children are fully included at the setting.

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the early years provision

Positive working partnerships with parents and carers are developing. The childminder shares her written policies with parents and carers when their child first starts at the setting to ensure they are informed of the provision. She exchanges verbal information with them on a daily basis about their child's care and learning. Partnerships with some professionals are in place to ensure all are working together to ensure children's welfare needs are met. As yet, effective partnerships are not in place with the other settings which some children also attend to promote continuity in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They obviously enjoy being with her as they happily sit on the floor with her to play with the toys. They approach her confidently and with affection. The childminders has a good understanding of child development and of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enables her to plan and provide a fun and interesting range of activities which are based on children's individual needs and interests. Consequently, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Play opportunities are provided at home and also within the wider community so that all aspects of children's learning are promoted. The childminder records observations of children and identifies the next steps for their leaning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's social skills are developing well. They play alongside each other at the childminder's home and with larger groups of children when they attend sessions at community groups. They are becoming increasingly independent as they decide what they want to play with and feed themselves at meal times. They are learning about their local environment as they are taken on outings, for example, trips to the beach and walks in the woods. They enjoy visiting the childminder's relative who has a pond and take great interest in the frogs. Children's behaviour is managed consistently and sensitively. The childminder has a clear policy and procedure that she shares with parents and simple house rules are in place. Consequently, children are beginning to understand about what is right and wrong. They have access to a good range of books which they help themselves to and also enjoy favourite stories such 'The Gruffalo' and 'Calm Down Boris'. They are

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and outcomes for children

learning to appreciate music as they happily join in music sessions at the local children's centre and in the childminder's home. They listen to a range of music and make their own using musical instruments. Children use their senses to explore materials and objects using sand, water and during messy play activities. Their art work is proudly displayed on the wall. This helps to raise their self esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. Children are developing an early understanding about number, shape and colour as they build with different colour bricks and count with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted. Good standards of hygiene are maintained throughout the home and effective procedures are in place for hand washing and nappy changing. This helps to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children benefit from the ample opportunities for outdoor play and physical exercise. They love playing in the local parks and using equipment in the community groups. Although very young, children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety and includes them in regular emergency evacuation drills. 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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