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

p.1

Unique reference number EY373504 Inspection date 13/10/2008 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since April 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 11 and six years, in Ingleby Barwick near to Stockton on Tees. Their home is close to local amenities, shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The front bedroom is also available. Toilet facilities are located at ground and first floor level. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a cat.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll under five years. Children attend on a part time basis.

p.3

Description of the childminding

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

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's learning very well and they are making good progress in their individual learning and development. She has good arrangements in place for the children's health and safety and for them to be involved in their community through outings and activities. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided. The childminder is very motivated and has a professional attitude towards making further improvements to the services she provides; however, these systems are not yet fully established.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 identify children's starting points and capabilities so that their progress and development can be clearly identified.  continue to develop the procedures for self evaluation and monitoring of the provision to ensure continuous improvement.

p.3

provision

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 able to enjoy the stimulating environment in which they thrive. The childminder has the necessary skills to self-evaluate her work. She is able to identify areas to build upon her existing good practice to ensure that children’s time with her is positive and rewarding. The childminder is keen to develop her professional status through undertaking further childcare training, for example, she is in the process of completing the level 3 in Childcare and Education qualification. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children play safely, both indoors and out as the childminder carries out regular risk assessments in all areas and records her findings. Toys and resources are organised at an accessible level for children; this allows them to explore freely

p.3

provision

assisting them to become independent learners. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of how to safeguard children. She is well informed about the signs of abuse and the procedures to follow to protect children. Her good practice is underpinned by well-written policies and procedures, which are shared effectively with parents. The childminder's record keeping is clear and well maintained supporting children's well being effectively. There are good systems in place to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

p.4

provision

The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents, which are used to promote care and education. She gathers good information from parents when children start; however, little information is recorded about their starting points and capabilities. Parents receive a detailed welcome booklet, which includes policies, procedures for them to acknowledge before their children start to attend, and contracts to ensure both parties are clear about the service to be provided. They are given information each day about their child's activities and well-being through daily communication books.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the warm, welcoming environment. They are making good progress as the childminder has a good knowledge of each area of the Early Learning Goals and plans exciting and challenging activities for the children to enjoy. The childminder maintains photographic evidence and has begun to make simple, written observations of what children do and enjoy. She shares these photographs and observations with parents and uses them to plan next steps in children's development. Children enjoy a wide variety of good learning opportunities, which meet their needs and interests and keeps them actively engaged. For example, a child sits for sometime matching the coloured pegs into the correct holes, the childminder then encourages her to count the pegs and name the colours helping to consolidate what the child already knows and to further develop the child's thinking and recognition skills.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being is promoted effectively through regular exercise and daily walks which ensures they have fresh air. Their knowledge of their local community is promoted well as they have regular outings to such places as the post office, the supermarket, the pet shop and the garden centre. They develop their social skills when they go to the local toddler groups and when they meet up with other childminders and the children they care for. Planned opportunities for children to learn about wider society and other cultural backgrounds are in place. Younger children have opportunities to use programmable toys such as cars, activity centres and push button storybooks and older children have use of the computer. As a result, children are beginning to build on their existing skills to develop their future lives.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe, secure and organised environment in which children are confident and supported well by the childminder. As a result, children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 self-esteem and sense of belonging are developing very well. Their welfare is fostered appropriately. They learn about keeping healthy through engaging in good procedures, such as washing hands after using the toilet and before they eat meals. Children are also learning to keep themselves safe by engaging in regular fire drills with the childminder and practising road safety and discussing the dangers of talking to strangers. Parents provide their children's main meals, which are stored appropriately. The childminder ensures these are stored at the correct temperature and checks that food is appropriately warmed before giving it to children. She ensures children benefit from healthy and nutritious snacks. For example, fresh

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

fruit, vegetable sticks and yoghurts. In addition, the childminder ensures all children have drinking water readily available for them at all times. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.8

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.

p.8