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 EY217805 Inspection date 25/11/2008 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 2001. She lives with her husband in Browney near to Durham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is 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 one child aged under five years on roll. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.30 to 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The childminder recognises the importance of settling in sessions and working with parents and other agencies to ensure that she can meet individual needs. Children make suitable progress as the childminder has a basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is keen to attend further training to increase her knowledge. However, no formal procedures are in place to fully support children's learning and development. Most of the documentation required to promote children's welfare is in place; however, all conditions of registration have not been met. The childminder has made some use of the self-evaluation form to maintain continuous improvement and identify areas for further development.

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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?

 ensure that written consent is in place to leave children alone with an assistant (Staffing arrangements must be organised to ensure safety and to meet the needs of the children). 25/11/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and use it to plan and record children's development and learning  promote children's good health through consistent hand washing before snacks and meals  promote children's safety by ensuring that they can not access the stairs  further develop written risk assessments to ensure that are comprehensive for all areas, including the garden and outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the required policies and procedures to support children's welfare. As a result, most documentation is in place and stored securely to promote confidentiality. However, written risk assessments are not comprehensive for all aspects of the environment, including the garden and for outings, to fully support children's safety. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed for parents to see; however, she has not obtained written consent from parents to leave children with an assistant. This is a breach of the conditions of registration. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to gather relevant information from parents in order to meet children's individual needs, for example, what comforters they have and likes and dislikes. Copies of relevant policies are shown and discussed with parents and information regarding complaints is displayed on a noticeboard. Daily two-way diaries are in

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provision

place to keep parents informed about their child's daily care; however, as children are still settling in the childminder has not further developed these to include information about the children's learning and development. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with other organisations to promote continuity of care and learning for children; however, there are no children present who access other settings. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is committed to ensuring that all children are appropriately included at the setting, for example, pictures are used to support hand washing.

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provision

The childminder has begun to make some use of the self-evaluation form to promote continuous improvement and identify areas for development. This is supported by a sound commitment to implementing learning from relevant training courses. For example, behaviour management techniques. The childminder has addressed some of the previous recommendations; however, resources and activities to promote diversity are still limited. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has a written child protection policy in place and is clear about procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Although children have only attended for a few sessions, they are beginning to settle well in the childminder's home. The childminder understands the importance of allowing children time to settle and to develop relationships. Space is appropriately organised so that they can move around freely and independently, and choose from a suitable range of resources. The childminder has a basic understanding of the EYFS and, as a result, children take part in a satisfactory range of activities which promote learning and development in most areas. The childminder is aware of the need to record children's learning and development; however, as yet she has no clear procedures in place to do this. She interacts appropriately with the children, talking to them about their play and beginning to introduce basic numbers and shape into their activities. For example, as they play 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

in the toy kitchen she counts the numbers on the oven. Children benefit from regular opportunities for physical play, for example, they go for walks to the park and have opportunities to interact with their peers at toddler groups. The childminder understands the importance of promoting children's communication, literacy and language skills. She supports them as they hold pencils and takes the children for regular trips to the library to select their own books. Activities, such as baking and planting seeds, begin to promote children's understanding of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Appropriate procedures are in place to promote children's health. The childminder raises their awareness of healthy eating as she encourages them to get involved in making fruit salads. Hygiene standards throughout the home are good; all toys and equipment are regularly cleaned and checked. Meals and snacks are home cooked and nutritious and the childminder has suitable procedures in place to ensure that she is aware of any dietary needs. However, young children do not consistently wash their hands before meals to fully support their good health. Discussion with children about road safety and stranger danger helps to promote children's awareness of keeping themselves safe. This is supported by a suitable range of safety equipment, such as socket covers and kitchen cupboard locks. However, appropriate procedures are not in place to prevent children accessing the stairs. All required documentation to support children's health, for example, accident and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

medication forms, are in place. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of behaviour management techniques. Children receive gentle reminders not to climb and are encouraged to help tidy up to keep the space safe. Regular praise and encouragement helps to promote children's self-esteem and promotes positive behaviour. 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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