Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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 EY289169 Inspection date 28/05/2009 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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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 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 the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton-on-Tees with her husband and their two sons, who are aged one and six years old. The family home is close to local amenities, such as schools, shops and social groups. The family has one pet cat. Minded children have the use of the whole ground floor of the house and there is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children under eight years at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. All are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children before and after school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the provision is good. Children’s welfare is promoted very well and a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment ensures that the children feel secure and confident. Children are learning and progressing well and the childminder effectively plans for their individual interests and further developmental needs, including the next steps in their learning. Partnerships with parents are used to promote good quality education and care and children’s welfare is promoted very well. The childminder has accessed training opportunities and uses these to reflect on her practice and make improvements to her service. She regularly encourages feedback from parents and older children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all medication records are signed by parents  develop the ways in which parents can be more involved in assessing children's starting points and links with other agencies  further develop planning to ensure all areas of learning are covered and to identify any gaps in children's learning.

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provision

The early years provision is well managed by the childminder. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework(EYFS). She uses this knowledge to help children make good progress in their learning and development, and to promote their welfare. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards personal development and has attended many additional training courses since her last inspection, including an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 in childcare and education. She is now in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 process of completing the level 3 in childcare and education. The childminder effectively monitors and evaluate her childminding provision to ensure that improvements are made where necessary. Good improvements have been made since the previous inspection, with the childminder fully addressing the

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provision

recommendation that was raised. The childminder organises her day and her home very well to meet the needs of the children she cares for. This results in children being settled and confident, and enjoying the stimulating environment in which they thrive.

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provision

Through maintaining accurate records the childminder ensures that the children's individual needs are routinely met. However, not all medication records have been signed by parents. The childminder is fully aware of the procedure to follow if she has concerns regarding a child in her care. Children play safely, both indoors and out as the childminder carries out regular risk assessments to identify hazards to children. She displays and practises the emergency evacuation route with children to enable them to become familiar with it and to be able to get out of the house safely and quickly. Children also wear hi-visibility jackets when walking to and from school and when on outings. This further contributes to promoting children's safety and well-being.

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provision

Positive relationships with the children’s parents contribute to ensuring children’s individual needs are met and that the environment is fully inclusive. Parents receive copies of all policies and procedures used to underpin the running of the provision. The childminder shares daily diaries with parent which includes information about children's activities and progress and a page is available for parents to also make comments about their child's care and education. Systems are in place to promote children's good health, including those for dealing with accidents and for administering medication, and these are clearly shared with the children's parents. However, information about children's starting points is not clearly established and the links with other providers who deliver the EYFS have not been fully developed to ensure continuity of children's learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, secure and settled because of the warmth and affection the childminder gives. There is a dedicated playroom which is well resourced with easily accessible toys and learning materials. This creates an ideal learning environment for the children. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the EYFS statutory framework and practice guidance. She is beginning to reflect this in her practice. She has begun to make written observations of what children do and enjoy. Planning is exciting and provides challenging activities for the children to enjoy. However, she is not always using planning effectively to fully identify any gaps in children's learning. Children are provided with appropriate toys and equipment that support their individual development and progress towards the early learning goals. Resources are stored at a low level so children can initiate their own independent choice and decision-

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

making. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder uses children’s interests and enthusiasms to extend their learning. For example, a child’s fascination with books and jigsaws enables the childminder to further develop the child's skills in recognising colours, shapes, numbers and simple problem solving exercises. This demonstrates the childminder’s ability to provide a balance of adult-led and child-led activities to enable children to become active learners. Children make a positive contribution towards their own health and safety, for example, they grow vegetables and herbs in the garden. They watch and measure them as they grow. Children further develop their senses when they rub the herbs in their hands and smell and taste them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children talk about healthy eating as they help make their own sandwiches and pizzas for lunch. They are very familiar with hand washing routines and proudly show off their individual toilet bags. There are good opportunities for the children to be active through enjoying physical play in the garden, walking to and from school and visits to the park, museums and soft play centres. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as they feed the animals at the park and farm. They learn about the day, weather and seasons during activities and different cultures, through activities around the Chinese New Year.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has calm, caring approach with children and she offers plenty of praise and encouragement, which helps to develop their self-esteem and good behaviour. She is a good role model and speaks clearly and quietly to the children as they play. Children are encouraged to follow appropriate hand washing routines through the childminder's clear example of how to prevent the spread of infection. This includes good nappy changing routines and the provision of individual towels for the children to use. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they discuss road safety during walks, Stranger Danger and staying close to the childminder. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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: 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

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