Childminder in Sunderland

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305472 Inspection date 27/11/2008 Inspector Sharon Greener

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 1993. She lives with her husband and an adult daughter in the residential area of Newbottle near Houghton-Le-Spring. The childminder’s home is accessed by a ground level path. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years. The childminder's husband and mother act as her childminding assistants on occasions. There are currently five children on roll aged from 16 months to five years. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight years. She cares for children on week days from 06.30 to 18.00 for 45 weeks of the year. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects children from the local schools. The family has a pet rabbit and a

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder creates a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for all children and their families. She shows a positive attitude towards working in partnership with parents and other professionals in order to meet children's individual needs. Children progress very well towards the early learning goals. Although there is no written evaluation process, the childminder assesses the quality of service, care and education appropriately and is able to identify strengths and areas for further improvements sufficiently well. The vast majority of the required documentation is in place and is very well organised and presented.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop procedures and record keeping systems relating to risk assessments and self evaluation and ensure that a precise record is kept regarding the hours that a childminding assistant is on duty  ensure that the complaints and safeguarding children from harm policies and procedures are readily available for parents at all times  ensure that written permission is requested from every parent regarding the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment for children should this be necessary.

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provision

The vast majority of documentation is in place. However, written permission to seek emergency medical treatment is not requested from every parent and a precise record is not kept of the hours an assistant is on duty. Policies and procedures are used well to promote children's welfare. For example, the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a good understanding of the action to be taken regarding the administration of medication and accidents. She has a satisfactory understanding of the procedure to follow in respect of the management of complaints and safeguarding children from harm. The recommended child protection literature and contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board are available for reference purposes. However, the complaints and safeguarding procedures are not readily available for parents. Daily mental risk assessments are completed prior to

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provision

children's arrival. Basic weekly risk assessments are conducted and recorded. However, those completed in relation to outings are not recorded. Security within the home is very well maintained and children are very closely supervised. Appropriate safety equipment is in place. All resources and equipment is routinely checked and kept in very good order to help promote and preserve children's well- being. In general the childminder reviews her practice and identifies aspects for further development sufficiently well. However, this information is not recorded which impacts upon the childminder's ability to monitor this effectively.

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provision

In general parents have access to suitable written information regarding the service provided and many of the policies and procedures used. The childminder works in harmony with parents. This is shown in the way that they work together to collate a care plan, highlighting children's individual abilities and needs as part of the induction process. The childminder then uses this information to establish a sound knowledge of their initial capabilities. From this and her own ongoing observations of the children she is able to effectively identify the specific learning goals for each child. This enables her to plan and record activities. These are often linked to themes, such as insects and mini beasts, numbers or planting and growing seeds. Plans are then adapted to provide every child with a good variety of age appropriate activities and learning experiences. Consequently, children progress very well. The childminder uses regular verbal feedback, photographs and

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provision

activity journals to keeps parents very well informed of their child's developmental progress and day-to-day activities. This enables parents to mirror or continue activities with their child at home to support their learning. Positive links are forged with other providers, such as teachers to help support children's progression and the continuity of learning and care. For example, a trip to Beamish was used to help one of the older children gain more of an insight into a history topic being covered at school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are provided with a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and progress very well towards the early learning goals. They benefit from frequent educational trips to places of interest, such as Preston Butterfly Park, Hall Hill Farm and Washington Wetlands Centre. The childminding areas are well organised to allow children to self-select from a good variety of activities and resources within the constraints of safety. This fosters their independence and decision making skills well. Children's mathematical and language skills are very well promoted. This is achieved through the effective use of resources and the childminder's good use of discussion and open ended questions to support and extend children's learning. For example, when listening to a favourite story young This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children are encouraged to recall and describe what happens next. Children’s awareness of the wider world and diversity is appropriately nurtured. The childminder shows a suitable understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties, disabilities or those who speak English as an additional language. She acknowledges the importance of working with parents and other professionals and agencies to ensure children’s needs are met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Hygiene standards throughout the home are very good and the childminder presents as a positive role model to children. Children's health is very well promoted. The childminder helps raise their awareness of the benefits of an active lifestyle, a healthy diet and of adopting suitable hygiene practices. Children benefit daily from outdoor play and physical exercise and regularly go for walks, visit the beach, local parks and green areas. Meals and snacks are nutritious and children have access to fresh drinking water and are offered suitable drinks throughout the day. Children's individual dietary needs are discussed with parents and pertinent information is recorded.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of behaviour management strategies and displays a gentle and consistent manner. Children respond positively to this and are very well behaved. For example, distraction tactics are used effectively with very young children. The childminder talks to older children about boundaries in place and explains the reasons for them. Matters, such as road safety, not approaching strangers and using resources correctly are discussed. This helps raise children's awareness of danger and the need to preserve their own safety and that of others. Children receive gentle reminders of these when necessary to reinforce the rules. Security within the home is well maintained. Suitable safety equipment is in place, such as a fire blanket, fire extinguishers, safety gate, socket covers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Regular fire drills are completed and recorded. This helps promote safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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