Robson, Helen

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 EY239857 Inspection date 02/10/2008 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 2004. She lives in Darlington with her partner and her daughter aged five years. All ground floor areas of the home, the second bedroom and first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. The ground floor of the premises is easily accessible. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area at the rear of the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently three children under eight years on roll. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children are warmly welcomed into a friendly home where they take part in a satisfactory range of activities. Suitable procedures are in place to gather relevant information from parents about the children. This ensures that all children are included at the setting and that individual needs are met. However, the childminder has limited understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which means that effective procedures are not in place to meet fully the welfare requirements. There is no formal self-evaluation system in place to identify strengths and weaknesses or targets for further improvement. This does not help the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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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?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future and keep a written record of medicines given to children 23/10/2008  ensure children do not leave the premises unsupervised 23/10/2008  develop a system of self-evaluation, leading to clear identification of targets for further improvement 23/10/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop activity planning to ensure children continue to be challeneged in all areas of their learning and to include activities to raise children's awareness of diversity  develop the systems for observations and assessments to promote This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's learning and development and involve parents in this process.

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities for safeguarding children and is confident of the steps to take should she be concerned about a child in her care; however, she does not have a written statement detailing these procedures. She has completed a first aid course which enables her to treat children should they have a minor accident. Written risk assessments are completed and revised as necessary; however, these have not highlighted the risk to children from being allowed to leave the premises unsupervised. Written parental permission is not obtained for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment and a written record of medicines administered to children is not kept. This compromises children' s welfare.

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provision

Satisfactory partnerships with parents are in place and the childminder recognises the importance of developing these with other early years professionals. This helps children to feel secure and ensures that information to promote their welfare is shared. As yet parents are not involved in the planning and assessing processes for their child’s learning and development. She has some written documentation in place so parents are informed of the provision but does not have a written statement of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints.

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provision

Capacity to maintain continuous improvement is limited. Although the childminder does reflect on her practice, the steps taken to evaluate the provision are not sufficiently robust to lead to clear identification of targets for further improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They independently access a suitable variety of toys and resources which supports their learning. The childminder knows the children well and takes their individual needs and interests into consideration when planning activities so all are fully included. Children engage happily in their play, be it adult or child-led, and interact very well with the childminder and each other. They enjoy sustained role play, the younger children with their 'babies' and the older children playing schools. They love performing and entertain the childminder with dancing shows and plays. The childminder supports their learning through their play, for example, the use of numbers as they help her count the items in the party bags and counting the stairs. They enjoy books and have particular favourites, such as ‘The Gruffalo’. The childminder has some awareness of what is required for the next steps in children’s

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning, but is not yet using her observations and assessments fully to enable her to do this effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout the setting to help prevent the spread of infection and minimise the risk to children from germs. Satisfactory steps are taken to ensure children gain an understanding of hygiene practices, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as washing their hands when appropriate. They are developing a positive attitude towards exercise as they walk to and from school and participate in activities, such as cheerleading, swimming and using the soft play equipment at the local leisure centre. Children are developing an awareness of the importance of healthy eating as they enjoy fresh fruit for their snack and freshly cooked meals, such as shepherd’s pie, for their main meal. They behave well. Younger children are beginning to learn about sharing, supported by the childminder, and older children have a growing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

acceptance of rules and boundaries. 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Inadequate

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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: 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

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future and keep a written record of medicines given to children. 23/10/2008  ensure children do not leave the premises unsupervised 23/10/2008  develop a system of self-evaluation, leading to clear identification of targets for further improvement 23/10/2008  ensure a written statements of the procedures to be followed to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect, and of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints are maintained. 23/10/2008

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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

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future and keep a written record of medicines given to children 23/10/2008  develop a system of self evaluation, leading to clear identification of targets for further improvement 23/10/2008  ensure a written statements of the procedures to be followed to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect, and of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints are maintained. 23/10/2008 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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