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

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Unique reference number EY243809 Inspection date 24/02/2009 Inspector Andrea, Jane Lockyer

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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 November 2003. She lives in a house in the Framwellgate Moor area of County Durham. She lives with her adult son and 15 year old daughter. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The family have a dog and two cats. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes, children do not have access to the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children two of whom are in the Early Years age range. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and generally safe environment. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs and interests of the children in her care and values them as individuals. She has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Learning goals and six areas of learning, which helps children to make steady progress. Good relationships have been established with parents to ensure children's needs continue to be met. Insufficient priority is given to documentation, which means that some essential policies and procedures are not in place. The childminder takes reasonable steps to improve her practice but lacks focus.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the garden gate is secure  develop planning, observation and assessment systems to ensure that children are continually challenged and extended across all areas of learning  develop systems to further improve self assessment to ensure this is focussed on improving outcomes for children  develop opportunities and resources to increase children's awareness of diversity and fully value differences.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of risk assessments carried out both in and out of the premises and for outings ( Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 24/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Although most essential records are in place, there is no written risk assessment which is a specific legal requirement, or a written statement for safeguarding procedures, which is a requirement for both parts of the Childcare Register. In general children are cared for in a safe environment because the childminder carries out daily visual risk assessment, however the garden gate is not secure. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and the procedure to follow to ensure that all children are safeguarded. The childminder has a good range of resources, furniture and equipment, which are used well to support children's needs and help them thrive.

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provision

The childminder works well with parents. They share their knowledge of the children to ensure that children's needs are met. The childminder provides parents with an appropriate information package as she discusses with them relevant records and procedures she follows. Daily discussions between the childminder and parents keep them well informed of their children's care, welfare and achievements.

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provision

The childminder has taken reasonable steps to improve her practice, demonstrated by the way in which actions from the previous inspection have been met. The childminder has attended updated first aid training and has applied to complete further training in child protection and the Early Years Framework to update her knowledge and skills. However, the ability to consider what she does well and areas to improve are unclear and not sufficiently focussed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment, in which children are happy and very settled. They enjoy caring and affectionate relationships with the childminder who knows them well and values their individuality. This helps children develop good levels of self-esteem, confidence and trust.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the EYFS learning and development requirements and children are making steady progress towards the early learning goals. Activities are not yet planned to closely link with all six areas of learning, and systems for observation and assessment are not yet in place. This means that experiences to promote the next steps in the children's development, and to show their progress, are unclear and not all areas of learning are being fully promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children happily engage in a variety of activities, such as solving puzzles, making collages from different textured materials, dressing up and role play, building with bricks and baking cakes. They thoroughly enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. The childminder actively promotes children's communication and language skills for example, encouraging children to describe what they see and feel in textured books, helping them to tell the story using the pictures, and asking open questions. She engages them in conversation all the time and uses songs and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rhymes to support their learning. Children respond well to the childminder's sensitive guidance and praise, for example, as she shows and describes how to draw a star and the moon and praises them for their attempts, children are clearly proud of their achievements. All children have easy access to the good range of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

toys and equipment, which enables them to initiate spontaneous activities. Clear floor space allows the children to move around freely and teaches them how to negotiate space safely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle, as they learn to cross roads safely, negotiate space, follow consistent daily routines for hand washing and help wipe tables after lunch. The childminder provides a healthy diet for all children and discusses the importance of healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables with the children. Children have good daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and learn about their local community, as they play with a wide range of outdoor equipment in the garden, go on local walks to the park and talk about the natural environment, visit local shops and take bus journeys into Durham City.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have reasonable opportunities to develop their awareness of others and learn about the diverse society in which they live as they access resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disabilities, and have sensitive discussions with the childminder about the differences in people as they look at books. However resources are too limited to enable children to increase their awareness and fully value differences. Good discussions with parents and records ensure that children who speak English as an additional language are supported well and fully included. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (CR2 Arrangements for Safeguarding Children). 24/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children. 24/03/2009 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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