Childminder in SunderlandOfsted inspection, 16 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 EY316407 Inspection date 16/02/2009 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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. He lives with his wife and two children aged four and seven years in the residential area of Washington in Tyne and Wear. The childminder’s home is accessed by three steps. The whole of the ground floor and the study on the first floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.00 to 18.30 for 47 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. He is currently minding five children in this age group. He also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. When this occurs he may care for a maximum of seven children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends a parent and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder's friendly and very approachable nature ensures all children and their families feel really welcome. The huge range of resources and experiences provided ensures all those attending have exceedingly good opportunities to make progress. These include celebrating some festivals with the children. The childminder demonstrates a very sensitive approach to including all children and meeting the varying needs of their families. He is more than willing to link with other professionals to meet any specific needs well. The childminder is passionate about his career in childcare and is keen to maintain continuous improvement. As a result of this enthusiasm he has made considerable progress since his last inspection and has started a quality assurance scheme to consolidate and improve his outstanding practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further develop resources and activities to nurture children's respect for their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people

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provision

The childminder effectively evaluates the care and education he provides. He is very proactive in gaining feedback from parents and children, both verbally and in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the form of questionnaires. This enables him to look at the broader picture of the service he provides. The childminder recognises one of his strengths as being a male childminder in a female dominated profession. He discusses how he and his wife are a perfect team and are able to meet the varying needs of all those attending. He also highlights that more space would be an asset to the childcare he provides, and plans to convert the garage into a quiet room and messy play area. The childminder has positively addressed all the recommendations highlighted at the previous inspection. This has resulted in him accessing two training courses to increase his first aid knowledge. Consequently, children are

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provision

better protected should they have an accident.

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provision

High emphasis is put on partnership with parents, which has a very positive impact on children’s overall well-being. The childminder has successfully nurtured excellent relationships with the parents. Comprehensive information is shared daily, both verbally and with written diaries for younger children. Three-monthly parents evenings give parents the opportunity to take a little longer to discuss their children's progress. The childminder's innovative thinking includes planning a slide show at the next parents evening to further inform parents of the activities provided. Parents are able to borrow books to share with their children through the childminder's lending library, which encourages them to be actively involved in their children's learning. Significant links have been made with the local school, resulting in the staff donating a range of equipment to the childminder, which has greatly improved the storage of resources. School staff also share information

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provision

regarding themes and events, which enables the childminder to continue these in the childminding environment. An example of this is where children wrote their names in Chinese and made dragon masks for Chinese New Year.

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provision

The childminder fully embraces the importance of safeguarding children. He demonstrates a really sound and sensitive understanding of associated issues. He has attended relevant training and has a detailed written procedure in place with contact details should he need to make a referral. Consequently, children are very well protected. Systematic risk assessments take place on a daily basis to ensure children's welfare is extremely well safeguarded.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a quiet demeanour and relates extremely well to all the children. The vast range of activities and experiences provided ensures each of the areas of learning is unquestionably covered. All children benefit from a really flexible routine, including an extremely good balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. Babies and younger children's interest is imaginatively encouraged through a wide variety of man-made and natural resources, including treasure baskets with pumice stones, wooden nail brushes and fir cones. Children eagerly help to put the table cloth on the table for lunch and have opportunities to prepare the fruit for snack time, which successfully nurtures their self-help skills. The childminder’s extremely positive attitude to equal opportunities ensures all children have a very good awareness of the wider community, for instance when discussing peoples differences. This is supplemented with a wide variety of resources

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reflecting positive images of the world they live in. The older children celebrate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 festivals at school and in nursery, however, only a limited number are celebrated with the childminder. This has a slightly negative impact on nurturing their respect for their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. The vast array of age- appropriate books ensures every child can enjoy exploring them either independently or with the childminder. Innovative ways of encouraging children's problem solving skills are provided, for instance when they have to see how many items they can fit in a box. Nature walks and the chance to plant and nurture flowers motivate children's interest and increase their knowledge of the natural world. The extensively equipped garden enables children to relish in creative activities both indoors and out. This includes painting on a clear plastic board

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

attached to the wall and creating pictures on a chalk board attached to the fence. Meticulously chosen resources ensure all children have the opportunity to explore information and communication technology to support their learning. This includes very young children delightfully exploring a keyboard, which results in splashes of colour appearing on the computer screen as they touch the keys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge of individual children is excellent, which results in very effective planning taking place to ensure all of those attending are eager to participate in the experiences provided. Consequently, they make very good progress. Individual files are being collated showing observations of children, photographs and examples of their art work. These have recently been developed to link with the early learning goals, which are then used to inform future planning. This planning is flexible to follow children's interests, which results in an exciting range of activities taking place. Children behave very well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour to others. The childminder has excellent strategies in place for managing behaviour, which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development and understanding.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very clean and extremely comfortable environment, where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. They follow daily routines and are actively encouraged by the childminder to be independent. Children delight in accessing physical activities and have an extensive variety of outdoor toys and resources to use in the rear garden. These include balancing games, a digger to use in the mud and sit and ride toys. They also have ample opportunities to visit the park to use the large climbing equipment and play football. A varied and imaginative menu encourages children to have a very good awareness of healthy meal options and the opportunity to try new foods. These include vegetables such as squash, a wide variety of fruit and freshly cooked savoury dishes. Individual dietary needs are met completely, ensuring children’s well-being. Children's knowledge about personal safety is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effectively encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip and road safety activities. The latter includes the childminder borrowing a pretend zebra crossing and a child-size crossing patrol officer’s outfit to further enhance children's learning and enjoyment. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. The childminder and his wife deploy themselves very effectively to ensure children are closely supervised at all times. This is complemented by all safety equipment being in place, including door jams, safety gates and smoke detectors. Consequently, children are exceptionally well safeguarded. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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