Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/11/2012 26/11/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children are content, happy and secure and they have developed firm relationships with the childminder.  Children behave well and the childminder provides clear messages of what is expected of them. They are developing appropriate relationships with their peers and the childminder encourages children to respect and help each other, share and take turns.  The childminder plans a suitable balance of adult-led and child-led activities to ensure there is variety in children's play and learning.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder has not yet implemented the learning and development requirements with regard to using all seven areas of learning and development to shape the educational programmes and to inform the assessment of children's progress.  The information the childminder shares with parents is not robust, with regard to how they can be involved in children's learning and progress.  Partnership working with other settings which children attend, is not fully developed in order to share information about children's learning and development to provide consistent and targeted support.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge and viewed the resources and equipment available for the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the observations and accompanied her to collect a child from the local nursery.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journeys, sampled documentation and looked at the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents through information included in written letters from them.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 16, 17 and 20 years, in a village on the outskirts of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play to the rear of the house. The family have two pet dogs and a tortoise.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is open all year round from 7am to 6pm. There are currently nine children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age group. They all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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must:

 increase knowledge of the learning and development requirements and implement a system to assess each child's progress across all seven areas of learning in relation to their age and stage of development and use this information to plan the next steps for each child.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop parental involvement in children's learning by: explaining how parents can share and guide their child's learning at home and encouraging parents to share their observations about their child's learning at home

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance effective continuity and progression for children who attend more than one setting by sharing relevant information with other practitioners.

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who attend

The childminder encourages children to participate in an interesting range of activities and learning experiences which supports their progress appropriately. Children visit woods where they have great fun climbing on fallen tree trunks and low lying branches. They look at leaves, collect conkers and see local wildlife. This means their physical development is well supported, as they tackle a range of levels and surfaces including flat and hilly ground. They balance and use their senses as they enjoy touching the bark and discovering insects.

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who attend

The childminder is developing children's creativity as they access a wide range of resources, such as art and craft materials. They are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different media. For example, they play with dry sand which has glitter sprinkled in and are provided with sieves, scoops and textured wooden items to enhance their sensory experiences. Children enjoy construction activities using stickle bricks. The childminder uses the opportunity to introduce counting skills as children play. She talks about the shape of the bricks and helps children who are struggling to attach them together. Other connecting pieces, such as wheels are added, which means children's motivation and engagement with the activity is extended.

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who attend

The childminder makes observations of children's learning and uses these to inform her planning. However, she does not make full use of current guidance, such as 'Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage' to help her assess their progress. As a result, next steps are not securely identified across all areas of learning, and therefore, planning is not always fully tailored to each child's learning needs. The childminder seeks information from parents about children's interests and starting points, which helps her to plan for children's learning. However, she does not involve parents fully in their learning. For example, she has not explained how they can support their children's learning at home or how to make contributions about what they know about their children, to enhance her own assessment procedures.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are observed to be very settled with the childminder and benefit from warm and secure relationships with her. They turn to her for support when they feel unsure and she reassures them. The childminder gives high priority to the promotion of children's social development and self-esteem. She knows the children well and proactively responds to individual ideas, development needs and personalities. For example, children begin to draw and the childminder checks they have appropriate sized pencils which are easier for them to hold. This means children are able to practise their early mark making skills with resources which are appropriate for their stage of development.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles through the childminder's commitment to a healthy diet, which she discusses with children. Parents provide packed lunches for the children and the childminder gives snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. She also makes sure children have access to water at all times and also provides them with milk to drink. Children have regular opportunities for exercise and walk to the local park where they experience fresh air and have the chance to run, explore and investigate. This promotes their physical health.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder utilises groups at the local children's centre, or pre-school group and this helps to develop confidence and independence in situations where children are away from their main care setting. She knows these opportunities help to support children's transitions as they prepare for starting nursery or school. The children are already familiar with these settings as the childminder takes and collects older children from school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Parents have written letters saying what they think of their childminder. One parent says she is 'a brilliant childminder, she is flexible, has constant activities and they both adore her'. They also mention how children thoroughly enjoyed celebrating St Patrick's Day, Olympics and Jubilee activities, including the arts and crafts they made. The childminder offers a flexible service including early starts and late finishes to accommodate shift patterns. Parents appreciate this very much.

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provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements, and knows what to do if she has any concerns regarding the safeguarding of children. An effective safeguarding policy includes the necessary contact details for other agencies and this means children are protected and kept safe. The childminder is vigilant in keeping children safe both indoors and outdoors. She uses safety gates where and when appropriate to ensure safety of younger children and very small resources are kept in little storage boxes with lids to ensure they are not a choking hazard.

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provision

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and verbally exchanges information about their child's day with them. Parents share what they know about their children with the childminder before they start to attend, completing required consents and documentation. The childminder is aware of the requirement to regularly share information between providers if a child attends more than one setting. However, she has not yet developed a robust system to share information about children's learning and development when they attend other settings, in order to promote continuity.

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provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements but has not fully embedded this into her practice. The childminder is committed to developing her service further and has completed a self- evaluation form, highlighting areas for improvement. For example, she intends to develop her outdoor provision by introducing a sensory garden.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY291113 Local authority Doncaster Inspection number 820086 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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