Childminder in Northumberland

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 405440 Inspection date 10/10/2008 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and their child aged eight years old, close to Seaton Deleval, Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the bathroom on the first floor, accessed by stairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently registered to care for five children under eight years old and during this inspection, it was agreed to increase this to a total of six children under eight years. There are currently 11 children on roll, of these two children are over eight years, all of the children attend a variety of sessions.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Good organisation of paperwork, the premises and activities to suit children’s individual needs and interests, ensures that children are stimulated and included successfully. The childminder evaluates her practice well, as she is clear about her areas of strength and how she intends to improve her provision, for example through more effective planning.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and they display confidence in playing with a wide range of equipment. The childminder values each individual child and is successful in promoting equal opportunities. Her practice ensures that children begin to gain respect for each other and consequently, play together very well.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the assessment system to inform future planning

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provision

Consistently rigorous evaluation of her practice, ensures the childminder is up to date with current childcare practice, as she attends several courses to improve her knowledge. This shows her commitment and enthusiasm to her professional development and the care and welfare of the children she cares for. The childminder has effectively implemented recommendations from her previous inspection, which further contributes towards the welfare of the children.

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provision

High levels of hygiene are maintained throughout the premises, in both daily routines and through following written procedures. These substantially benefit the children’s well-being, by ensuring they remain free from cross infection and protect their good health. Space is organised very well, to ensure the children can move around freely and safely, which contributes to their enjoyment of making choices This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about what they want to do, for example, as they snuggle up with a blanket to rest on the settee. Children freely move around the secure premises and they remain free from harm. Risks are minimised very well, through a mixture of procedures and the equipment that the childminder has in place.

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provision

The childminder builds solid relationships with the parents of the children in her care. She collects good, comprehensive information about their children’s development and welfare, enabling her to meet children’s individual needs successfully. Written policies and procedures about the childminder’s practice, which are shared with parents and an effective settling in procedure for new children, contributes to parents developing a sound understanding, of how their children are cared for and how children’s development is promoted.

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provision

Safeguarding the children’s welfare plays a high priority in the childminder’s practice. She makes sure that children are well supervised, both inside and outside the home. The childminder has a comprehensive and current understanding of child protection issues, by attending regular courses which, in turn successfully benefits the care of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a varied and nutritious diet, due to enjoying homemade meals and planned menus, that rotate on a weekly basis. They gain lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills, as the childminder plans a great deal of outdoor play during her sessions, such as trips to the park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well in the setting, due to the childminder having clearly established boundaries, which she talks to the children about. Successful strategies help to raise children’s self esteem, as they are consistently praised when they have done well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely confident in the setting due to the warm, close relationships they enjoy with the childminder. They confidently express their feelings and constantly talk about what they are doing, knowing they are valued and listened to. Children’s independence is encouraged very successfully, as even the youngest children enjoy taking responsibility for small tasks, such as putting tissues in the bin and getting their drinks from easily accessible benches.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s learning and development is promoted very well by the childminder. She has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, because of this she knows how to observe children's development. However, the assessment and how this will be used, to plan for the next steps in children's learning and development, is less clear. Children’s attitudes towards learning are very positive, as the childminder readily challenges and extends the children’s learning in their every day activities by asking them questions, which helps them to think and reflect on what they are doing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children readily talk about the wider world, as they comment on the windy day outside and they enjoy singing familiar songs. The children are encouraged to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 become familiar with numbers, as they spontaneously count the segments of orange they have in their bowls. Encouragement and enthusiasm from the childminder, ensures that children make good progress, during their time with her. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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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

Ofsted received concerns in relation to National Standard 6 - Safety. The Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement Team contacted the Registered Provider. The Registered Provider submitted an investigation response regarding the concerns raised. An action was raised and satisfactorily met by the Registered Provider. Ofsted are satisfied the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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