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

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Unique reference number EY313067 Inspection date 19/02/2009 Inspector Vivienne Dempsey

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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 has been registered since 2005.. She lives in the Wolviston Court area of Billingham with her co-childminding husband and their children aged eight and four years. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. She lives close to a number of local amenities including shops, parks and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder she may care for no more than 11 children under eight years. There are currently 18 children on roll. All children are cared for on a part-time basis. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. She offers a full time service, including after school care and school holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She holds an National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development. She is a member of the Association of Billingham and Norton Childminders group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder and her co- childminder provide a safe, caring environment for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Positive relationships with parents have been developed, which helps meet the individual needs of all children. The childminder and her co- childminder have an accurate understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement and take effective steps to improve their already good practice. They work closely with other childminders and agencies, to help promote outcomes for children. Children are making good progress in their learning and development and the childminder provides an interesting and stimulating range of activities and resources.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop links with other partners to fully complement the education and care the child receives in other settings.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and works closely with her co-childminder to plan daily and weekly routines effectively. This enables her to provide a range of activities and experiences for all children, meeting their needs and interests well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All records are well maintained and the childminder makes good use of her clear and comprehensive policies and procedures to keep parents well informed about the service she provides.

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provision

The childminder provides a welcoming atmosphere, which helps create effective communication links with parents. Daily opportunities to exchange information about the children are available to all parents. Consequently, she is familiar with the children's individual needs and confident that she cares for children in accordance with their parents' wishes. The childminder gives high priority to promoting children's welfare. She has a secure understanding of child protection issues and attends training to keep her knowledge about safeguarding children up- to-date. She has a range of relevant documentation in place to support her in taking appropriate action in the event of any concerns and shares her policy with parents to ensure they too understand her responsibilities.

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provision

The childminder works closely with her co-minder to regularly reflect on their practice and consider how to develop their service in ways that will have a positive impact on children. For example, she attends training to support her in developing the necessary skills to evaluate children's learning and development. She also works closely with other childminders and agencies to develop an enabling environment in which children can learn and develop safely and securely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles as they regularly play outdoors in the fresh air. They enjoy walking to the local school, visiting parks and the local soft play area. Children are fascinated by different aspects of the weather and enjoy the effects of heavy snowfall and building snowmen in the garden. Their awareness of healthy food is also promoted, as they use carrots, broccoli and potatoes to decorate the snowmen they have made. Their daily routines include opportunities for regular meals, snacks and drinks to help keep them nourished and hydrated. They enjoy healthy, nutritious meals and regular routines help them learn the importance of personal hygiene. For example, children carefully wash their hands before eating, and select their own towels to dry their hands.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe. They discuss the importance of road safety and wearing seat belts in the car. When playing inside the house, they are reminded to tidy away toys they have finished with before beginning new games, and this helps to reduce the risk of tripping hazards. Children also practise fire drills to ensure they are able to evacuate the house quickly in the event of an emergency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children engage in a wide range of enjoyable activities that sustain their interest well. They have good opportunities to initiate their own play, as well as participating in activities that are planned for them. For example, they use food colouring to colour napkins and have great fun playing with rice, glitter and kitchen utensils. Toddlers listen carefully to the sound the rice makes on the tray, which helps develop their early communication, language and literacy skills. Children's play is supported effectively as the childminder encourages them to work things This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out for themselves. For example, helping children to work together to find enough space for their pictures to dry. Children learn to play together harmoniously and develop an understanding of how to share and take turns with the resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS learning and development requirements. As a result children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. She works closely with her co-childminder to observe and assess children's learning. Developments and activities are adapted to include all children. Parents are informed of children’s progress and have opportunities to contribute to their child’s learning and development records. The childminder is beginning to develop links with other partners, to help complement the education and care children receive in other settings. 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 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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