Childminder in Northumberland

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 EY315532 Inspection date 30/03/2009 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 her husband and two young children. They live in Morpeth, Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor excluding the study is used for childminding. This includes a spacious lounge, kitchen, family room, bathroom and cloakroom. On the first floor children have access to a well stocked playroom, children's bedroom and a further bathroom. 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 five children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. There are currently eight children on roll, cared for on a part time basis and of which two are in the early years age group. The childminder cares for children weekdays throughout the year. The childminder has completed relevant childcare training and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects

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Description of the childminding

children from local schools and attends local toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder because she recognises that each child is an individual and provides an exciting range of activities, experiences and resources to help them make very good progress. Activities are planned in line with the six areas of learning and the childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.(EYFS) The childminder skilfully attends to children's personal needs in a calm, caring and professional manner. Most documentation is extremely well maintained and through undertaking her self-assessment, the childminder is clear about her strengths as well as areas she wishes to develop further.

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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 detail should be recorded in the fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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provision

The childminder has a first class range of policies and procedures in place enabling her to provide an extremely safe environment whilst clearly meeting the individual needs of the children in her care. Children are further protected because risk assessments are completed to ensure they are cared for and protected, not just in the home, but in the garden and whilst on outings. The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children as fundamental and is confident and knowledgeable in the procedures she is required to take should she be concerned This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about a child in her care. Children move around confidently in the very well organised provision making choices from the considerable range of toys and resources. Relevant documentation is in place with regard to safety in the home, however, the fire evacuation record does not include detail of any problems

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provision

encountered and how they were resolved to further protect children's safety. Safety gates, socket covers and a record of visitors further protect children's safety. Relevant training courses have been attended in relation to early years to further develop the childminder's understanding of good quality childcare. These include, first aid, safeguarding children, food hygiene and EYFS awareness.

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provision

Children's learning and development are recorded in their individual files and daily diaries, which the childminder shares with parents to keep them fully informed of their children's learning and progress. She uses her observation and assessment skills very well to identify children's stages of development to enable her to plan effectively for their next steps of learning. For example, the childminder recognises that children need further opportunities to develop their personal, social and emotional skills and provides lots of opportunities for the children to socially interact within her daily routine. These include attendance at toddler groups, soft play, and meeting up with other childminders and minded children.

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provision

The childminder is fully committed to maintaining good positive working relationships with parents. They benefit from the very well organised, informative policies and procedures which are personal to the setting and of the daily written and verbal information they receive regarding their children's progress and enjoyment. Parents are extremely positive with regard to the care their children receive and the childminder works extremely closely with other providers who deliver the EYFS to ensure continuity of care and learning for children. For example, the childminder recently asked a school teacher for further information, following a comment they made about the child's good behaviour, to ensure she could pass on all relevant details to parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely happy, confident and settled with the childminder and are making superb progress in their learning and development. Children have clearly formed secure relationships with her and she understands their individual needs extremely well. She is fully aware children develop at differing paces and learn in a variety of ways. She provides a wealth of activities that are age appropriate, interesting and encourage children to explore. Children are becoming independent and inquisitive learners as they make confident choices from the excellent range of toys and resources which are readily available to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relate very well to the childminder as she skilfully interacts with them and provides them with lots of purposeful support and encouragement. They are making very rapid progress in their communication and language skills as they interact with the childminder and engage in creative and imaginative play. They name the cars from a favourite film and confidently identify the various colours. They describe the toy cactus plant as being 'prickly' and state that the pirates costume is 'scary'. The childminder actively involves herself in talking and listening This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to the children, extending their vocabulary as they learn new words. Children develop well in their problem solving and numeracy skills as they recognise shape and colour. They skilfully identify honeycomb shapes stating that they are from the 'Bee movie'. The childminder is highly skilled as she supports them to solve

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

mathematical problems in everyday activities. She listens carefully to them and extends their use of mathematical vocabulary. For example, she encourages the children to count the steps on the toy slide and uses words such as 'more than' to develop their understanding further. Children display an exceptional understanding of simple calculations as they pretend to cut the egg in the toy kitchen stating they are going to 'cut it in half'. Children are given many opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world as they have access to a sufficient range of multi cultural resources and celebrate various cultural festivals. They recently celebrated the 'Chinese New Year' and 'Divali' and enjoyed a range of craft activities to develop their understanding further. Children's artwork is clearly displayed on the playroom wall and in their individual development files, which promotes a sense of belonging and helps to develop self-esteem. They learn

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of the community they live in as they walk to and from school and to local parks. They discuss the tractor they see cutting the grass and observe the colourful spring flowers. Children are able to recall their outings and talk of the 'daffodils' they have seen. Children have great opportunities to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they skilfully press buttons on toys to make them work which also develops their learning and understanding of information technology.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is an extremely good role model to the children and enthusiastically encourages positive behaviour. She skilfully uses verbal and non verbal praise to encourage the children's good behaviour. The result being that children behave extremely well in her care and respond positively towards her. Children's good health and well-being are fully promoted as the childminder takes full account of children's dietary needs and provides them with nutritious snacks on a daily basis including fresh vegetables, fruit and regular drinks. Very good opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play further contributes to their good health. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy through following very good personal hygiene routines. They are becoming aware of the importance of healthy foods and eating as they participate in growing their own vegetables and talk of the healthy foods they should eat displayed on posters

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

throughout the childminders home. The childminder talks to the children about road safety and how to keep safe when on outings. They know to hold hands on the push chair when walking to and from the childminder's home and readily tidy up after themselves to ensure there is free floor space to play safely. Older children are very aware of the necessity to ensure small objects and toys, such as small beads, are not accessible to the younger children to further ensure their safety. 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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