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 EY271889 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years in St Helens near Bishop Auckland, the family also have a pet rabbit. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. 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 four children aged under eight years and currently has four children under the age of five years on roll. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on week days from 07.30 to 18.00 for 50 weeks of the year. She has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is satisfactory. The childminder warmly welcomes children into a family friendly home. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards ensuring all children are included and has appropriate procedures in place to gather information about their individual needs from parents. Children's learning and welfare needs are met well as they take part in a wide range of activities and the childminder implements appropriate safeguarding procedures. However, some documentation required to meet the specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is not in place. Acceptable procedures have been established to evaluate the care and education provided, in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities  further develop procedures to promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning with other provisions and parents  develop procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the register shows a clear record of children's hours of attendance 02/04/2009  further develop record of risk assessments to cover all areas with which children may come into contact, including outings. (suitable premises) (also applies to 24/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 both parts of the Childcare Register)

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provision

Most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and appropriately organised to promote confidentiality and security. However, the childminder's register does not clearly show children's hours of attendance, this is a breach of the specific legal requirements. The childminder ensures that children are kept safe, as she does daily visual checks and implements appropriate safety procedures, for example, securing young children into pushchairs on outings. She further ensures children's safety as she has a record of risk assessments in place, however, these have not been further developed to include all areas with which a child may come into contact with or for outings. This does not meet the requirements of the EYFS. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children issues as a result of attending relevant training. This is supported by a written policy, as a result, the

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provision

childminder is aware of procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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provision

The childminder implements acceptable self-evaluation systems in order to review the service she provides. She is constantly thinking about her practice and asks parents for feedback to help to ensure that she is aware of any areas for development. She has responded positively to both of the previous recommendations, for example, all appropriate consents are in place and she has developed her range of resources to promote children's awareness of diversity.

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provision

All parents receive an information pack prior to their children starting which contains an outline of the childminder's relevant policies and procedures. The childminder discusses with parents how she works and obtains relevant information in order to meet children's individual welfare needs. Parents are kept up to date about their child's day through verbal feedback, this ensures that they are able to continue learning at home if they wish. However, as yet, the childminder has not developed any procedures to record children's progression towards the early learning goals and share this information with parents. The childminder has begun to develop appropriate procedures to ensure consistency for children who attend more than one setting, for example, she asks children what they have done at nursery so that she does not repeat the same activities this is complemented by adding to children's moving on files from nursery, if

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provision

appropriate. Feedback from parents is positive about the care and learning that their children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with good opportunities for development across all areas of learning. Space is well laid out so that children can move around freely and choose from a wide range of age appropriate activities. Flexible plans are in place to ensure that children receive a balance of indoor and outdoor play, the childminder is beginning to develop her understanding of the learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requirements of the EYFS. She knows the children well, and as a result, is able to talk confidently about their learning and the next steps in their development. However, the childminder has not developed any procedures to ensure that she has a clear record of all children's individual progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder interacts well with the children. She sits on the floor and is fully engaged in their play. For example, as they play with trains, she encourages them to find straight and curved tracks and to try to fit them together. Regular praise and encouragement promotes their self-esteem and helps to develop confidence. Children have good opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. They go for daily walks to local toddler groups where they are able to interact with their peers and enjoy playing in the garden on trampolines, ride on toys and kicking footballs. A variety of creative activities helps to promote children's self-expression as well as providing opportunities to develop fine motor skills. For example, they enjoy painting and exploring different textures such as dried pasta and play dough. Constant communication from the childminder begins to reinforce colours and counting, for example, 'one, two', she counts as they throw balls.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate safety equipment in place, for example, stair gates, cupboard locks and garden gate locks. This is supported by appropriate procedures to record medication and accidents. Regular reminders from the childminder to be careful along with practicing fire drills, and discussing road safety, helps children to begin to learn to keep themselves safe. Children benefit from a nutritious and healthy diet, for example, they enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and regular drinks. Good role modelling such as washing hands after feeding the rabbit, helps children to learn the importance of good hygiene. Consistent behaviour management techniques and clear boundaries, help to promote positive behaviour. The childminder encourages children to share and uses age appropriate techniques such as distraction and explanation to reinforce this. 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? 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? 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: 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5.4) 24/04/2009

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (CR5.4) 24/04/2009 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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