Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/05/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are happy, settled and form close bonds with the childminder as she is warm and caring and meets children's individual needs well.  The childminder has good teaching skills and a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is combined with a wide range of activities to support children in making good progress in all areas of learning.  Effective partnerships between the childminder and parents mean that the childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and parents are kept well informed about their child's ongoing progress and development.  The childminder has a secure understanding of how to promote children's good health and safeguard children. Her home is very well maintained, all potential hazards are minimised and therefore, children can move around the space freely and safely.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to further enhance children's already strong sense of belonging in the setting by displaying photographs of the children, their family and pets, and any other special people.  There is room to extend opportunities for children to explore a wider range of natural materials and sensory experiences, for example, by introducing treasure baskets.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 had a tour of the premises and observed children playing.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journey records, a selection of policies and children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and engaged with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and involved the childminder in a joint observation of an activity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the information provided through written parental questionnaires.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two-year-old child in a house in Redcar. The whole of the ground floor, first floor bathroom and the rear garden is used for childminding. The family has two pet rabbits. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 expand opportunities for children to explore a wider range of natural materials and sensory experiences, for example, by introducing treasure baskets enabling them to investigate different textures

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

 consider ways to enhance children's strong sense of belonging at the setting, for example, by displaying photographs of the children, their families, pets and other special people.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a wide range of activities both inside of the home and on various outings, which cover all areas of learning. This helps and encourages children to take the next steps in their learning. As a result, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals and are well prepared for starting nursery or school. The childminder works closely with parents from the start to support children's learning. She gathers information from parents about what children are interested in and combines this with initial observations to identify children's starting points. Individual learning journals are in place for all children; these include, photographs, examples of children's work and observations of them at play. These are linked to the areas of learning and are used effectively to identify the next steps in

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who attend

children's learning and assess their progress. This information is used well to plan activities which are based on children's interests and next steps in learning. Daily discussion, along with reading their children's learning journals and regular progress reports, ensures that parents remain involved and up to date about their child's progress. Teaching is good because the childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn through play. She interacts naturally with children to extend their learning. For example, she responds affectionately to babies' babbles and in response to her voice they move their arms and legs and smile brightly. This helps very young children to develop their early skills in communication. The childminder understands the importance of giving babies time on the floor to stretch, move and kick. In addition, she provides toys that they can squeeze, pull and shake which they reach out to grab. As a result, children

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who attend

are developing their physical skills. However, there is scope to further enhance children's sensory skills through providing a wider range of natural textures for children to explore.

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who attend

The childminder ensures that all children are included in activities. For example, she sits babies on her knee as she sings songs with older children. Older children show their care and concern for babies as they gently hold them to involve them in action rhymes, such as 'Row row row your boat'. Babies respond well to this, smiling happily. This helps them to feel secure in her care and provides a firm base on which they can learn.

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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. This is because she takes time to work with parents to get to know children and their routines. In addition, she invites children for settling-in sessions to help her to get to know the children and to help children to become familiar with the childminder and her family. This helps to support a smooth transition from the children's home into the childminder's care. The childminder responds well to babies' cues, for example, she recognises when they are hungry and cuddles them as they drink. This helps babies to feel secure and supports their personal, social and emotional development. The childminder uses clear and age-appropriate boundaries for managing children's behaviour. This helps them develop an understanding of acceptable behaviour, such as the importance of sharing and having good manners. The childminder supports children well to develop the confidence, independence and skills they need as

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

they move onto the next stage in their learning at nursery or school. This is done through everyday routines, such as encouraging children to dress themselves and on trips to local toddler groups where children are able to socialise with their peers.

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

Children play in a child-friendly environment with a good range of age-appropriate toys and equipment that effectively supports their overall well-being and care. Resources are stored in labelled low-level boxes. This allows children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder displays some examples of the children's work on her fridge; this helps to promote children's self-esteem and strong sense of belonging. However, there is scope to enhance this further, for example, by displaying photographs of the children, their families, pets and other special people in their lives.

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

The childminder effectively promotes children's health and well-being by teaching children to be responsible for keeping themselves healthy. For example, she teaches them to wash and dry their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children learn about healthy lifestyles through planned activities, such as planting and growing carrots and having regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder enables children to play safely through her close supervision and guidance. Alongside this, children learn to keep safe through daily routines, such as practising road safety and their involvement in the regular fire drill practices. The childminder also gives them gentle and sensitive reminders to be careful in the home, for example, she talks to them about not playing with small objects because they might choke.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities for meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She effectively monitors the observations of children's progress to ensure that all areas of learning are being covered. The childminder has good procedures in place to complete progress checks on children aged two. These are shared with parents and used effectively to identify any gaps in children's learning. Partnerships with parents are good and they comment positively about how much their children enjoy spending time in the childminder's care. The childminder shares important information with parents at the start through a welcome pack. This includes information about the childminder and her key policies and procedures. This means that parents are well informed about the service she provides. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with other providers of the Early Years

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provision

Foundation Stage. For example, she has recently written to local providers to ask how they can share information for children who have recently started in her care.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role in protecting children. She has completed training relating to safeguarding issues and is well informed of the procedures to take should she be concerned about a child in her care. Children's safety in the home and on outings is promoted well. The childminder has completed risk assessments and uses appropriate safety equipment to ensure that identified risks are minimised, for example, using fire guards and cupboard locks. All documentation required to effectively safeguard children and support their welfare is in place and up to date, including children's details and consent forms. The childminder has ensured that all persons living in her home have had the appropriate checks to ensure their suitability to be around children. This further safeguards children.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards developing her practice through attending regular training, reflecting on her practice and through attending local childminder meetings. Questionnaires are used to gather feedback from parents and the childminder has started to complete the Ofsted online self-evaluation form to further evaluate her practice. As a result, the childminder has a good understanding of her areas for development, such as developing her role-play area and attending further safeguarding training. This effectively supports meeting children's needs and shows a commitment to continuous improvement.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY442001 Local authority Redcar & Cleveland Inspection number 890354 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 2 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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

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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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