Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/06/2014 15/01/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 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 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is good and stems from the childminder's clear understanding of how children learn. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning.  Partnerships with parents are strong, which means there is a coordinated approach to children's development, ensuring children achieve their full potential.  Policies and procedures are kept up-to-date and are followed robustly, meeting the requirements of the Early years Foundation Stage.  Safeguarding procedures are robust, which keeps the children safe from harm. Policies and procedures underpin the childminder's good safeguarding practice.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are missed opportunities for children to engage in spontaneous mark making both indoors and outdoors.  Opportunities for children to make choices and serve themselves during lunch time are not fully in place.

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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 observed activities in the rooms used and the outdoor environment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed an activity undertaken during the inspection, with the childminder.  The inspector spoke to the childminder at suitable times, throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment files and looked at planning documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector was unable to meet with parents on the day but took account of their views provided in letters.

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Information about the setting

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She operates from her home with her daughter who is also a registered childminder and works alongside her at the same premises. The home is situated in Northallerton in North Yorkshire. There are shops, schools and parks within walking distance. Operating hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm, each week day. The whole of the ground floor and the main bedroom of the home is used for childminding. The premises are accessed via the rear of the house and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. There are currently 25 children on roll, of whom, 20 are in the early years age group. All children are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, as well as the local childminding group.

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

 provide even more opportunities for children to freely engage in mark making, both indoors and outdoors

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

 enhance opportunities for children to make some choices and serve themselves with food and drink at lunch time.

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who attend

The childminder is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic childcare practitioner. She has a comprehensive understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder cares for children alongside her co-childminder and they are happy and settled in her care. She works closely with parents from the start to support children's learning. She gathers information from them about what their children are interested in and what they can do at home. Alongside this, she uses her own initial observations to identify children's starting points. Individual learning journals are in place for all children, they include photographs and observations of them at play. The childminder links these to the seven areas of learning and uses them effectively to identify the next steps in children's learning and to assess their progress.

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who attend

Children are well stimulated in this welcoming and supportive environment, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident. The childminder is well informed by parents and other educators of the children and has built up very strong relationships with them. She liaises well with the children's school and nursery to support children's learning. This provides a good basis for children to engage in effective learning and to reach their full potential.

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who attend

The childminder supports and encourages children's good physical development, providing many opportunities for energetic play outdoors in the garden and at local parks. The childminder is skilful at encouraging children to 'have a go'. Children play a hop scotch game, which encourages their physical development while learning about mathematical concepts. The childminder has a good understanding about how children learn through play and exploration. As a result, children show sustained interest and concentration in activities and are gaining skills in readiness for their next stage in learning.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities relating to the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. There are copies of some assessments within children's development files. These have been completed in cooperation with parents and the childminder has made attempts to liaise with health visitors regarding the information gathered. Parents comment that they are happy with the progress their children make in their learning and development. They are actively involved in their children's learning. For example, the childminder shares their children's learning journey files with them and parents add their own comments. They regularly discuss and agree children's achievements together and next steps for learning. Consequently, children make very good progress in relation to their developmental starting points.

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

The childminder and her co-childminder use a positive, calm and consistent approach to managing behaviour, which takes into account children's understanding and stage of development. They are good role models for children, treating children with respect and modelling good manners. Consequently, children behave well, recognising boundaries and responding to expectations. The childminder plans activities to encourage sharing and turn taking so that she can support children to play alongside others and develop their confidence in larger groups. This helps the children when they move on to nursery or school. Children are becoming increasingly independent. For example, younger children cooperate when having their nappies changed. They are beginning to feed themselves and older children can independently care for themselves in the bathroom. These skills prepare children well for the next stage in their learning.

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

The childminder's home is highly organised and welcoming. The toy room and outdoor area are set up so children can independently access a wide range of toys and activities. However, there is scope to extend the opportunities for children to freely draw, write and make marks, both indoors and outside. Displays of colourful posters and examples of the children's work helps to provide a welcoming environment, promotes self-esteem and helps to develop a sense of belonging for the children. Equipment, such as, books, puzzles and games and role-play toys are reflective of a variety of cultures and abilities. The childminder has a variety of resources that reflect a range of cultures and disabilities. There is evidence of past activities, which explore cultural diversity, such as the 'Around the World' book, which shows photographs of the children trying foods from around the world and activities they have taken part in, which recognise various cultural celebrations.

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

There is a very wide range of activities, which are suitable for children of various stages of development and resources are rotated according to children's interests and needs.

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

The childminder promotes children's good health and well-being. The children have free access to the outdoor area every day, enabling them to be physically active and benefit from fresh air. The childminder helps children to begin to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, by practising emergency fire drills, so they learn how to evacuate the home in the event of an emergency. High standards of hygiene are maintained throughout all areas of the childminder's home. Clear routines for nappy changing help to prevent the spread of infection and toys and resources are kept in a clean condition. Information about children's dietary needs is requested from parents and a good range of healthy nutritious meals and snacks further promote children's good health. Mealtimes are a social occasion with the children sitting together at the table to enjoy their food and chat about their day. The childminder supports children in learning about simple personal hygiene.

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

For example, she encourages and supports children in washing their own hands.

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provision

The childminder works in conjunction with another childminder and this works very well. They support each other very effectively in the organisation of the environment and the structure of the day. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility to ensure that she meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows who to contact should she have any concerns. Effective safeguarding and health and safety policies are in place and procedures to ensure children's well-being are robust. The childminder has a current paediatric first-aid qualification, which is updated every three years. Children are further safeguarded as the childminder's home is safe and secure and doors are locked at all times. Visitors can only

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provision

access the home if allowed to enter by the childminder. All visitors must be signed in and out of the childminder's home when minded children are present. The childminder carries out visual risk assessments on a daily basis to minimise any risk to children and adults. This ensures that all reasonable steps are taken to protect children. There is a comprehensive set of policies and procedures in place, covering all requirements. All documentation is easily accessible and underpins the childminder's good practice.

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provision

The childminder monitors children's progress closely. She understands the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and demonstrates an understanding of the importance of supporting children's learning according to their school and nursery topics. The childminder assesses and updates children's individual development records on a regular basis. These records are very comprehensive and reflect each child's achievements. They include assessments of children's abilities and next steps to encourage further development and to help children to progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder recognises the importance of keeping up-to-date with training, in order to inform her practice and has attended a wide range of training courses to support her knowledge and understanding of childcare and education. Courses, such as, paediatric first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene, are updated on a regular basis. This helps to

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provision

enhance the childminder's performance in providing a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment for the children in her care. It also demonstrates to parents, her commitment to them and their children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder maintains a relaxed but professional relationship with them, engaging and interacting on a day-to-day basis. She welcomes them into her home and encourages any suggestions which may enhance her provision for their children. Partnerships with the local nursery and school are also strong and the childminder is proactive in her approach to sharing information with the other settings children attend. She then links these comments to her own evaluation of her setting to make any improvements necessary.

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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 400652 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 819235 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 25

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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

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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