Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430387 Inspection date 07/02/2012 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 previously registered from 2002 to 2009 and re-registered in 2011. She lives with her husband in Leyburn. The whole of the childminder's home, except for the main bedroom are used for childminding. Children have use of a front patio area for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, of whom, three may be in the early years age group and one may be under one year. She is also registered to care for children aged over eight years. The childminder currently cares for six children, of which five are in the early years age range. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year. She takes and collects children from the local school and the nursery.

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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 very well cared for in a friendly and child orientated environment where safeguarding children is given a high priority. The warm and friendly childminder is clearly motivated and committed to developing her practice through training and effective self-evaluation. She provides children with a wide range of fun activities and experiences, which ensure that all children have good opportunities to make good progress in their learning and development. Well- established partnerships with parents and other professionals ensure that the childminder has a secure understanding of children's individual needs and they are fully included in her setting.

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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 learning to show the progress they are making towards the early learning goals  provide opportunities for parents to contribute towards the setting and use this information to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her setting very effectively. Children are safeguarded very well as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from possible harm or neglect and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. She has attended recent training in child protection and carries all relevant contact details with her at all times, in case of an emergency. The childminder maintains a well kept, safe and clean home where This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 checklists are clearly displayed to ensure that all household members are vigilant for any potential risks to children. This is combined with detailed risk assessments for the home and outings, which are updated regularly and reflect any changes to her provision. Important information, for example, rules for visitors to her home are clearly displayed to further safeguard children. All documentation for the safe

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the early years provision

and efficient management of the setting is in place, reviewed and well organised.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards her career and developing her practice. This is reflected in her genuine commitment to ongoing personal development, for example, she is currently studying for Early Years Professional status. She has made good use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and uses her training to reflect on her practice and share good practice with other professionals. As a result, she has a secure understanding of her areas for improvement. This ensures continuous improvement and promotes outcomes for children. Although the childminder has obtained verbal feedback from parents, she has not fully developed her procedures to engage them, for example, through the use of questionnaires. This does not support parents being further involved in the shaping of the service she provides. Play opportunities are promoted well as resources, time and indoor space are used to good effect at the childminder's

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the early years provision

home. A wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources are stored in clearly labelled boxes in the attractive playroom. This enables all children to make independent choices about their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly recognises children as individuals and works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of all required information to meet their individual needs. For example, dietary requirements, likes and any individual equipment she may need for children. Parents receive a detailed information pack about the setting, which includes all relevant policies. Further information, such as what activities the children are currently doing is displayed on a parent's notice board and the childminder sends home regular newsletters. As a result, parents are well informed about the service she provides. The childminder has good procedures in place to keep parents up to date about their child's learning and care. This includes daily whiteboards with information about activities and meals, monthly reports and verbal feedback. Individual children's needs are effectively met, as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the

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the early years provision

benefits of working with other professionals. This helps to ensure continuity of care and learning for children, who attend more than one setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, well settled and have clearly developed very close relationships with the warm and enthusiastic childminder. She demonstrates a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide range of fun and stimulating opportunities for children, which cover all areas of learning. Individual files contain observations of the children's learning, which are used effectively to identify the next steps in children's development and plan activities. Although, the childminder clearly knows the children very well and talks confidently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about their progress, observations are not linked to the practice guidance. This makes it difficult to see the progress children are making towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of questioning and support to extend children's learning and help them to make good progress. For example, as children help to make their lunch, the childminder encourages them to count how many eggs they have and supports them to try and butter their own toast. She introduces language into their play, for example, 'bigger' and 'smaller' and supports them as they try to take off their own shoes with lots of praise and encouragement. Activities, such as nature walks, watching squirrels and examining ladybirds they find, help provide good opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. Everyday activities, such as climbing stairs and playing with coloured pots are used to good effect to introduce counting and matching to younger children. The children clearly enjoy books, selecting them independently to take to the childminder to read to them. The childminder engages them well, encouraging them to identify objects in

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and outcomes for children

the story and talking about what might happen next. The childminder supports children's awareness of diversity and the wider world by introducing resources, which reflect positive images of race and gender, along with using the computer, for example, to watch webcams of water holes in Africa. These activities also support children in developing valuable skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge about personal safety is promoted very well by the childminder. For example, along with lots of discussion about road and car safety, she makes learning fun as they pretend to 'stick' to the wall when getting out of the car and everyone joins in as they do a check list of who is wearing their seatbelts. Children's good health is promoted well by the childminder. They have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise and even young children know the daily routines, as they confidently explain that they must wash their hands before lunch. Individual hand towels showing children's photographs and posters further support their awareness of keeping healthy and reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder understands the importance of providing a balanced and healthy diet for children and plans activities to support their awareness of healthy lifestyles, such as making displays of their favourite breakfasts and trying new

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses a very positive and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour, which takes into account their age and understanding. She gives high priority to helping children to become autonomous in their learning, encouraging them to make their own choices and using books to encourage children to try to do things for themselves. The childminder places high emphasis on children developing a sense of 'belonging' at her setting. The walls display colourful examples of their work and a daily photograph board shows which 'children are here today'. This positive sense of well-being promotes children's self- esteem and provides a happy and secure environment in which children learn and develop very well. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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