Childminder in NorthumberlandOfsted inspection, 12 Feb 2009

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 EY307808 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Anthea Errington

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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

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 2005. She lives with husband and two school aged children. They live in the residential area of Ashington in Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. There are currently 8 children on roll. The childminder cares for children on week days throughout the year. The childminder has completed relevant training and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects children from the local schools and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a pet dog, rabbit and fish.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an extremely warm, caring and inclusive environment where there individual needs are suitably met. Children are sufficiently challenged and nurtured through the childminders good understanding of children's all round development. Systems to observe and assess children's development have been implemented, however, they are not used to inform for future planning and linked to the next steps of children's learning. The childminder has developed good working relationships with parents, working in partnership with them to provide continuity of care. Self-assessment is not yet fully in place to identify areas for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to use observation and asesments of children's progress to plan for their next steps of learning to help them make progress towards the early learning goals  develop the procedure to monitor and evaluate the provision to promote continuous improvement and ensure individual needs of all children are met.

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provision

Children are happy, settled and relate well to the childminder in the warm and very welcoming setting. There is a varied range of resources and furniture which are well maintained and checked on a regular basis. They are arranged throughout the premises so that children can make their own choices as they develop their independence. The childminder keeps a record of children's development in their individual learning folders but these are not used to inform for future planning and linked sufficiently to children's next steps of learning within the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation stage (EYFS). Most records are adequately maintained. However, the childminder has not yet developed a system to evaluate the care and education she provides to ensure continuous improvements can be made.

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provision

Children are sufficiently safeguarded as the childminder has procedures and contact numbers in place and is aware of her role and responsibility to keep them safe. Satisfactory documentation ensures the smooth running of the setting which is confidentially maintained. A fire evacuation plan has been implemented and the childminder practices this with the children. However, a record of this is not kept. Training courses have been attended in relation to early years to develop her understanding of good quality childcare and she is currently working towards her 'diploma in home based childcare'.

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provision

The childminder is fully committed to developing good working relationships with parents. They benefit from the good range of opportunities to exchange information, including the use of email, text, diary sheets, photographs and daily discussions which are used to support the ongoing needs of their children. Parents state in letters they have written to the childminder that 'they are grateful for her flexibility' and 'their children fully benefit from attendance at toddler groups to encourage interaction with other children their age.' Written policies and procedures are shared with parents to help them understand how the setting is operated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their overall development as the childminder provides them with the appropriate help and support to ensure that they receive maximum enjoyment. Children settle well into the environment as they feel secure in their relationship with the childminder. They relate extremely well to the childminder who joins in with their play. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and builds on children's interests to plan activities to support their individual learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing with the various balls and are fascinated with them as they are rolled across the floor towards them. They reach out to them and explore the texture and shape of them using their mouths and hands. Children communicate effectively with the childminder making their requests known through pointing and reaching out to the various resources. They express their feelings well and become excited as they watch the childminder prepare their bottle. Older children are becoming skilled in their writing skills as they write their names on the pictures they have made. An extremely wide selection of reading materials encourages children's interest and love of books. Young children are fascinated by the pictures they see as they share a book with the childminder. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they reach out to catch the snowflakes. Children are fascinated watching the snow fall as the childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

discusses how the snow feels in their hands. Children's interest in living things is supported as they are given opportunities to handle snakes and spiders at a recent group session. They handle the animals with care and concern and discover how they feel and move. Children are well aware that some electronic toys require This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to press buttons in order for them to work which develops their knowledge of information and technology.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is very good, they are friendly and affectionate towards the childminder and visitors. They are praised at many opportunities and are encouraged to feel safe and secure. The childminder has an understanding of the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet based on children's individual requirements. Their dietary needs, likes and dislikes are taken into account and the childminder discusses healthy options and provides a healthy and nutritious menu. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 the last inspection.

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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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