Childminder in Durham

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 313941 Inspection date 16/02/2009 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged 20 and 13 years near to Newton Aycliffe. The whole of the ground floor, except for the living room, and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. 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 six children aged under eight years and currently has two children under the age of five years on roll. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She cares for children on weekdays from 07.45 to 18.00 for 48 weeks of the year. The family has two pet dogs.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder has not met a number of the specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The setting provides a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for children. The childminder gathers sufficient information from parents at registration to ensure that she is aware of children's individual needs. She provides a good range of activities which cover all areas of learning and is beginning to implement effective procedures to observe and evaluate children's learning. There are no systems in place for self-evaluation, which does not ensure continuous improvement or promote outcomes for children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 16/03/2009  develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation, and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children (Organisation) 02/03/2009  carry out regular risk assessments of anything which a child may come into contact with (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 02/03/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop systems for recording children's progress, including matching This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning with other provisions and parents.

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provision

The childminder has suitable procedures in place to ensure that she is able to meet children's individual needs, for example, dietary and health requirements. This is supported by clear records of attendance, medication and accidents; however, the recording of accidents does not support confidentiality. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and to ensuring that they are included at the setting. All appropriate safety equipment is in place, combined with daily checklists to ensure space remains safe for children. However, there is no record of risk assessments covering all areas, or for outings, to further safeguard children. This is a breach of the legal requirements.

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provision

The childminder has addressed the recommendations from the previous inspection. For example, she has obtained local child protection guidance and is clear about procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course, as recommended previously; however, this has since expired. Therefore, the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate, which does not meet the legal requirements of the EYFS. The childminder has not considered areas for development at the setting and has no procedures in place to evaluate or monitor her practice. This does not meet the legal requirements and does not promote outcomes for children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are sufficient to meet the care needs of the children. The childminder provides them with a copy of her policies at registration and gathers information relevant to meeting the children's individual needs. She keeps parents up to date about their children's care through daily verbal feedback. However, she has no procedures in place to share information about children's progression towards the early learning goals or to work with other providers of the EYFS. This does not ensure continuity of learning and development for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a wide range of activities which cover all areas of their learning. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of their individual needs and is able to clearly discuss their different stages of development. She is beginning to implement effective procedures to plan and observe in order to record children's progress. However, these are not clearly linked to the areas of learning to show progression towards the early learning goals. Good use is made of the space so that children are able to move around freely and access a wide range of activities and resources. The childminder interacts well with children, sitting on the floor and taking an interest in their activities. For example, she praises them as they name colours and shapes. She talks about different letters This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that they make with play dough and encourages them to try to spell their names.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have good opportunities to develop their fine motor skills as they cut, glue and stick when making paper shakers. Filling them with peas or sand, they discuss whose makes the loudest noise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from good opportunities to learn about the world around them. They go on regular outings to visit farms and railway museums and for walks to collect leaves to make autumn displays. Colourful examples of the children's work are displayed on the playroom walls to highlight their celebrations of the Chinese New Year. The children are developing good communication skills and use language well to promote thinking; for example, they engage the childminder in conversations about their muscles, asking what muscles do and talking about how they make them strong. The children are happy and settled with the childminder and take part in a wide range of activities. However, the childminder has not developed any procedures to share learning with parents or work with other providers of the EYFS. This does not fully promote children's learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from an appropriately balanced diet and suitable hygiene procedures to help promote their good health. For example, they independently use the bathroom to wash their hands after messy play. Appropriate safety equipment, along with practising fire drills and discussing road safety, helps children to begin to learn to keep themselves safe. However, children's safety is not fully supported as the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate and does not have a record of risk assessments. Children's independence is developing well; they freely choose from a good range of resources and talk confidently about what they want to do the following day. The childminder encourages positive behaviour through age-appropriate techniques and regular praise and encouragement. Colourful displays of the children's work further help to promote their self-esteem and sense of belonging at the childminder's.

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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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR1.3) 16/03/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5.4) 02/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR1.3) 16/03/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5.4) 02/03/2009 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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