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 EY383065 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2008. She lives with her husband, three adult sons, and six year old daughter in a rural location, on the outskirts of Hexham, Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are situated on the ground floor and three of the four bedrooms are not used for childminding purposes. Children have access to the daughters bedroom only. Children play in an enclosed garden surrounding the property. There is a pond situated in the garden which children access under supervision. The pond is covered with a removable wooden frame. The family has four cats and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group who attend various sessions. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-school groups, and attends a number of carer and toddler groups. The childminder is also registered as a home child carer and is a member of the National Childminding Association. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are well cared for and have their individual needs well met through the good quality care provided by this experienced childminder. Children’s safety and security is maintained in a warm, welcoming, home-from-home environment where children can freely access resources independently. Effective systems for gathering information from parents ensure continuity of care and the start of an effective partnership is initialised with other practitioners to enable continuity and consistency in their care and learning. A detailed set of policies and procedures are effectively used in every day practice with the commencement of observation and assessment of children in illustrative folders. The childminder is highly motivated and has made a start on the reflective self-evaluation process.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems for self-evaluation.

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provision

Children are well cared for by a qualified, well organised and experienced childminder who has a good understanding of child development and the Early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Years Foundation Stage requirements. She provides a balance of suitable age appropriate learning experiences and play opportunities for children following their interest. All the required policies, procedures and paperwork are maintained and provided for parents in a comprehensive folder. The childminder is highly motivated to improve her own professional development through obtaining a further Early Years qualification to level three status and she regularly attends core training programmes, such as Safeguarding children and Early Years Foundation Stage modules held by the local authority.

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provision

Children are happy and content in the company of the childminder and settle easily into the daily routine. The childminder works in partnership with parents to provide consistency of care. She completes a daily diary which details information relating to feeding, sleeping, toileting needs and any activities children undertake with her. Parents are encouraged to add comments to this diary which is effectively used as a two way information sharing document. A folder containing all the information about her childminding service, policy documents and procedures is given to parents on registering and information such as the registration certificate is clearly displayed in the dining kitchen. The childminder has made a positive start on the self-evaluation process and she has made notes on areas that she considers require improvement.

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provision

Children are kept safe and secure indoors and outside through daily visual checks completed by the childminder and through fitted safety equipment in areas accessed by the children. Risk assessments are maintained to identify any safety issues and help protect children from potential accidents or hazards. Children are supervised outdoors where they access static play equipment and enjoy activities on the grass. Indoors, children easily access an extensive range of suitable resources organised at low level which enables children to independently access. Children are safeguarded. The childminder has attended additional Safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedure to follow to report any concerns. All the necessary parental consents are in place and the details of named adults allowed to collect the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident in their surroundings and in the company of the childminder. The childminder knows them well and follows their individual care routines to provide continuity of care for parents. She is flexible to the needs of parents and provides a home from home, calm, reassuring atmosphere where the children settle easily. The childminder has an good understanding of child development and provides resources that encourage and stimulate their learning. Children take pleasure in using the interactive musical toys placed on the floor and enjoy exploring the environment as they crawl round the room. Information is gathered from parents about what their child can do in ‘all about me’ sheets which are used as the starting points on which the childminder bases her initial observations. Observation and assessments although in the early stages of initiation are complete with photographic evidence that identify achievement and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the details of the next steps in children’s learning. These folders are shared with parents. The childminder has established positive links with the school the early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 years children attend and has obtained the forthcoming terms planning to ensure her practice complements the learning taking place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive on the interaction and care they receive. The childminder uses lots of eye contact, verbal and facial expression as they play together which encourages younger children to vocalise and interact. Plenty of floor space is provided to allow for younger children to pull themselves to standing and walk round the dining furniture. Resources are stored at low level that allow younger children to access easily as they confidently help themselves to an assortment of activity toys, musical toys, and interactive toys. Children develop close relationships with the childminder they snuggle into her as they look at a book together and she instinctively knows when they are tired and rocks them in their pushchair. Children experience opportunities for plenty of fresh air and exercise in the rural location. They enjoy outings where they socialise with others, when attending toddler groups and learn about nature when exploring the countryside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe from harm. The childminder conducts regular fire evacuation practices and explains to older children how they must be careful when getting out of the car. Children learn basic hygiene practices and follow the good role model set by the childminder who keeps her home clean and maintains hygienic practices to prevent cross-infection. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks either freshly prepared or home cooked. Younger children’s meals are prepared by parents. Learning experiences are promoted in ‘5 a day’ eating fresh fruit and vegetables which is recorded in the children's daily diary. 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 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 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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