Childminder in Durham

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 EY303099 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector Eileen Grimes

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 March 2005. She is registered on the early years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the child care registers. She lives with her husband in the village of Lanchester, close to schools and local amenities. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is an enclosed play area to the rear of the house which children are able to access for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

There are systems in place to support children with English as an additional language and children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She attends the local toddler groups and takes children to the park and nearby leisure centre. The family have a two cats.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently caring for twelve children of whom one is within the early years age range.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children settle easily in the company of this warm and affectionate childminder. She relates positively to children’s welfare needs and supports them effectively as they play thus promoting their learning and development. Routines are well established in discussion with parents and include a balanced range of indoor and outdoor activities. The childminder has a professional attitude to her childminding service and is flexible to the needs of parents. She has made a start on the self-evaluation process and documentation is for the most part met.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure consent for emergency medical treatment is in place for all children  develop observations and assessments to identify learing prioities and plan relevant and motivating learing expereinces for each child.  consider using self-evaluation to review and reflect on practice, so that ways to improve the quality of the care learning and development are identified

p.3

provision

The childminder is well organised. She provides a warm, comfortable home environment and she organises her day to ensure children's routines, welfare and learning and development needs are met. Children are happy, contented and confident individuals who benefit from the childminder's individual attention and one-to-one support. They enjoy the many outdoor activities, outings and visits to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 places of interest for example to the Baltic art gallery which complement the interesting and stimulating indoor activities. Children are kept safe and secure through the ongoing safety checks completed and detailed risk assessments used to identify and minimise hazards. Children are well supervised by the childminder and she is sensitive to their individual needs. The childminder establishes sound relationships with parents. Parents enjoy time at the beginning and end of the day

p.3

provision

to discuss their child's day. The childminder is beginning to make observations and assessments, however these should be further developed to clearly identify children's progress and the next steps in their learning.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how children learn. She undertakes additional training in core subjects to improve her knowledge and skills in her childcare practice, and has recently completed an NVQ level three child care qualification. A set of well documented policies and procedures are available which are effectively implemented. Most documentation is in place. Parents are provided with these documents and a wealth of information is displayed on the walls of her home. The complaints procedure is available and shared with parents, and there is a system in place to record any comments. The childminder informally regularly evaluates her practice and has made a start to the self-evaluation form by reflecting on her everyday practice and has started to formally identify areas for improvement. Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a good understanding and approach to safeguarding children and

p.4

provision

is fully aware of the procedures to follow.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed and content in the childminder’s care. They thrive in her company and become confident, independent learners as they self-select resources from the accessible storage containers and the low level books available in the living room. Children engage in a balance of adult-led and free play activities that are provided for them which follow their individual interest, enthusiasm and curiosity. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how children learn. She provides activities that follow their interest and the six areas of learning. She takes photos of the children to provide evidence of learning and observes them as they play in order to assess their development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about how to keep themselves healthy and safe. They learn about healthy eating as they are provided with nutritious snacks and meals during the day. Children understand how to cross roads safely and understand what to do if there was a fire. Children learn appropriate hygiene practices. They wash their hands before eating and after touching the cat. They enjoy outings to the local parks and facilities which supplement their physical skills and feed the swans and ducks.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive on the warmth and affection effectively promoted by the childminder as she supports them during activities. They are well-behaved and listen to the instruction of the childminder. The childminder creates a positive atmosphere and uses verbal praise to encourage and reinforce appropriate behaviour. Through her positive approach older children have developed a very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sound understanding of how to share and take care of younger children, working together. This is demonstrated by children devising plays encompassing all children within the setting, these are then played out for the childminder. Children enjoy numerous activities. For example, they enjoy completing simple jigsaws and playing with play dough. They complete creative displays and cooking activities. The childminder skilfully fosters children’s all-round development by providing age-

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

appropriate activities for them and their future economic well-being is well promoted. 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

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

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 the last inspection.

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