Childminder in Darlington

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 EY366396 Inspection date 19/01/2009 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

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, her son aged five years and daughter aged 19 months in Darlington. All areas of the home are used for childcare purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child under eight years. She has a recognised childcare qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very settled and happy in the care of the childminder, who knows them well and meets their needs successfully. She values all children as individuals, provides an inclusive environment and treats them and their parents with respect. Her good understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage enables her to provide appropriate and stimulating activities which promote children's learning well. The childminder is an experienced child- care practitioner who has a very positive attitude to developing her practice. Consequently, the capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the written safeguarding policy is in-line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures  develop use of the self evaluation processes to help maintain standards and further develop the provision  develop the use of observations and assessments to help identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child.

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provision

The childminder is enthusiastic in her role in caring for early years children and provides a relaxed and homely environment where children‘s individual needs are well met. Parents and carers are provided with an effective set of implemented policies and procedures which outline all aspects of the care she provides. These are detailed, however, the written safeguarding policy is not fully in-line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures. Detailed written risk assessments and daily safety checks ensure areas used by children both inside, outside, or whilst on outings are safe and free from any hazards. Safety equipment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as stair gates and socket covers are in place throughout the home to protect the children.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards training and development. There are some systems in place to monitor and further develop the provision but she is not yet using the self-evaluation procedure fully to help her in this. She uses her considerable experience as a child-care practitioner and mother to enable her to provide good quality child-care.

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provision

The childminder fully recognises the importance of working together with parents to extend children's learning and development. There is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise and the childminder values and respects parents input. Information is shared each day with parents when they drop off and collect their children, by telephone throughout the day, and by the use of a diary which keeps everyone fully informed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good relationships between the childminder and the children are evident as they approach her confidently and with affection. They benefit from the childminder's relaxed manner and encouragement as they play. Children play, explore and investigate in a clean, well-maintained and homely environment with routines organised well to meet their individual needs. Children make choices and decisions about their play from the good quality resources made available to them. The systems for observing and assessing children's development and for planning activities are in the early stages of development and do not yet clearly identify learning priorities. However, these are already having a positive impact on children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to learn how to share with the support of the childminder. Although still very young they play happily alongside each other and enjoy each others company. They enjoy mark making with pencils, crayons and paint and have even 'written' their own comments in the daily diary that is shared with their parents. They are starting to show an interest in numbers; counting as they sing songs such as 'five little monkeys' and 'five little ducks' and can recognise some numerals on blocks. They enjoy books as they join in the daily story time and as they get books themselves and sit and look at the pictures. Their imagination is developing well as they play within the 'shop', putting their shopping in the trolleys and having conversations on the telephones. They explore a wide range of media and materials, such as corn flour, pasta, spaghetti, sand, water and paint, creating lovely art work which is proudly displayed in the childminder's home. They are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

developing many skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being, for example, as they become increasingly confident with early information and communication technology such as toy tills and wind-up toys and as they become independent learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes children’s welfare and safety. She encourages them to adopt good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after messy activities and before meals. They begin to learn about healthy eating through the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provision of healthy foods at snack and mealtimes. Activities are organised that promote children’s physical development, for example, playing in the garden or walks in the local area. They begin to learn how to keep safe when out on walks and when indoors by regularly helping to tidy away toys. Overall, children are happy, safe, enjoy being with the childminder, and are very settled. 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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