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 EY224598 Inspection date 02/10/2008 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 November 2002. She lives in Blyth with her husband. Children are cared for on the ground floor and have access, by stairs, to the bathroom and toilet on the first floor. There is an rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll, one of whom is over eight years, who attend a variety of sessions.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where the childminder successfully minimises risks and is vigilant about the children's welfare, meaning that children are safe and free from harm. Children are learning to respect diversity, for example, as they learn some basic sign language. All children are valued and included by the childminder as she carefully plans activities that children enjoy and suit all ages and stages of development.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder identifies key areas of her practice that are strong and those that need to improve, however, strategies on how to improve some of these areas are not sufficiently clear.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder helps raise children's self esteem well by continually praising them, telling them what they have done well and clapping, because they are valued children are keen to help with appropriate tasks such as, helping the childminder move the tables around to prepare for lunchtime.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that good personal hygiene is promoted well, for example, by consistenlty encouraging children to wash their hands before eating food  improve assessment systems to show a clear picture of plans for the next steps in children's learning and devleopment.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 devise a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. 16/10/2008

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are valued for their individual likes and differences helping them to develop a sense of well-being. The childminder knows the children well, and because of this she provides activities and experiences that engage with their interests.

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provision

Good partnerships with parents are trusting and benefit the children. The childminder collects good information about children when they first start to attend, through a new ‘all about me’ booklet, helping her to find out what older children can do. However, this is less focused on younger children’s development. Daily observations about what children are doing form a picture of the children’s progress, this is then shared weekly with parents to keep them well informed. Established links with other agencies, such as nurseries helps to provide continuous learning opportunities for the children.

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provision

The childminder shows a good knowledge of how to safeguard children in her care through maintaining good vigilance whilst allowing children to develop skills, for example, as she steadies equipment that younger children pull themselves up on. Daily procedures, such as checks on the premises and activities which help children to learn about staying safe, all contribute towards children’s safety and well-being. Whilst the childminder ensures that children remain free from harm in the setting, a written risk assessment is not in place. This is a specific legal requirement.

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provision

Written policies and procedures show the childminder’s commitment to provide consistent care for all of the children. She provides a dedicated service for the children as she actively keeps low numbers so that she can offer good individual support to all of the children she cares for. The childminder has looked at several aspects of her childminding service since the last inspection, among these she has renewed her first aid certificate to contribute to the children’s safety and well- being, and introduced a file about festivals to help them learn about diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children remain safe and secure in the childminder’s care. They receive continuous praise to help develop a high sense of self-worth. Children’s behaviour is managed in a supremely calm and persistent manner, helping children to learn about both boundaries and rules and encouraging them to develop respect for others. Children have good relationships with the childminder and other children as they happily play peek-a-boo together. Younger babies enjoy affectionate cuddles whilst sitting on the childminder’s knee, and older children feel confident in expressing their views knowing that decisions they make will be valued and listened to by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s interests and daily routines are considered well to promote children’s development, they look for colours and insects in their surroundings as they walk to school, talk about shapes in their environment and listen for noises as they run through leaves. Treasure baskets help younger babies explore with their senses and the childminder encourages their physical development well, as she praises them for pulling themselves up onto equipment. The childminder remains flexible and listens to the children’s needs, for example, as she changes activities to suit the children’s This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 preferences when they become engrossed in jigsaws.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Whilst older children’s learning and development is encouraged by the childminder, for example, by assisting children to recognise colours or count, a less clear picture in the next steps for younger children’s development is assessed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about a healthy diet through the childminder’s innovative approach, for example, by talking about the children’s favourite television characters and what they eat. Cross infection is limited well by the childminder through following mainly consistent policies in her daily routines. However, ensuring that children wash their hands before eating food is not always sufficiently consistent.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety is successfully maintained by the childminder. They learn how to stay safe as they are involved in discussions with the childminder about road safety and stranger danger. Children are free from harm as they move around the areas of the premises due to the childminder having effective measures in place to ensure children are safe, such as locked cupboards and giving them explanations as to why they cannot do certain things. Overall, this contributes to maintaining good safety for the children in her care. 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. Satisfactory

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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? Satisfactory

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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 relating to National Standard 6(Safety): 6.3, Children are under the direct supervision of the childminder or assistant at all times. Supervision should be sufficient to ensure that children are safe. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 16 June 2008. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. 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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