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 EY299907 Inspection date 01/07/2009 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 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 with her husband in a house in the Cramlington area of Northumberland. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes. Access to the first floor is restricted to the use of the bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has three pet dogs. 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 four children, two of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder 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 good. The childminder has a high level of awareness of the individual needs and interests of the children in her care. She has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and uses effective systems to plan, observe and assess children's progress. Effective relationships with parents ensure that children's individual needs are met. In general the childminder implements good practices to promote children's health. Good systems are in place to continually monitor and evaluate her practice to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children have more independent access to the wider range of resources available to allow them to be more active, creative, inquisitive thinkers and learners  ensure that children do not have access to the dogs' food and water bowls.

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provision

A wide range of comprehensive policies, procedures and records is effectively implemented. These promote children's care, welfare and learning, and ensure that their individual needs are met very well. The effective use of risk assessments both in and out of the home and for outings ensures that children remain safe and are able to move around freely. Children thrive in the supportive environment, which is suitable and safe both indoors and outdoors, and is equipped with a wide range of well maintained toys, furniture and equipment. Children are able to select from the range of resources provided by the childminder. Some resources are stored either out of reach or in other areas, which limits children's freedom of choice. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow, ensuring that children's welfare is safeguarded. Although the childminder promotes good health and hygiene practices, the dogs' food and

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 water bowls are within easy access to children, which potentially pose a health and hygiene risk to children.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents, as they share their knowledge of the children to ensure that all children's needs are met as fully as possible. Parents are provided with a comprehensive information package, which keeps them well informed about all aspects of the provision and the care welfare and progress of their children. The childminder arranges settling-in periods for all children tailored to their individual needs. She spends time with parents to ensure that they fully understand their children's 'learning journey' files and encourages them to make their own observations of children's progress and be involved in the assessment process and ongoing learning. Daily discussions with parents ensure that they are given a full picture of their children's day at the childminder's.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improving her practice. She has good systems in place to monitor her provision and she has made a number of changes to improve the outcomes for children, such as creating a children's play area in the garden and involving parents in their children's learning. She is highly motivated to extend her knowledge and skills. She is currently completing a National Vocational Qualification to level 3 and undertaking a degree course in Childhood and Youth Studies.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a high level of awareness of the EYFS and how to support and enhance children's learning through a fun, stimulating and relaxed environment. She plans a wide range of challenging and interesting experiences both in and out of the home that are based on their interests and developmental stages. Effective written and photographic observations and assessments are used to plan individual children's next steps, which are incorporated into the weekly activity plans. This ensures that children are continually challenged and motivated to learn and make very good progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere and children thoroughly enjoy their time with her. They enjoy affectionate, sensitive and caring relationships with the childminder and each other and are developing high levels of self-esteem, confidence and trust. The childminder spends time with individual children ensuring that they have good levels of support and to extend their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children eagerly engage in a wide variety of stimulating activities, such as making models from papier-mâché, growing flowers from seeds, baking cakes, role playing with puppets, vegetable printing and dressing up. Arts and crafts are available daily for children to develop their creative and design making skills, for example, as they make models from different shaped boxes, tubes and cartons. Mathematical concepts are bought into everyday play and experiences. For example, as children construct a tower using different sized and coloured bricks, the childminder encourages children to find certain colours, or match the same colours together; they count as they build, and calculate how many more they have by adding one. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They compare sizes and find 'bigger' or 'smaller' sized bricks and the childminder talks about the different shapes of rectangles and squares. The childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

actively engages children in conversation and uses pictures, books and puppets to support and extend children's communication skills. Younger children who are still developing their communication skills are provided with a picture book that the childminder has made of photographs of toys, resources, food and drink, so that children are able to point to what they want and the words are then reinforced by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good opportunities are made for children to extend and develop their own play, for example, as they act out familiar domestic activities playing with role play resources. Children's learning continues in the outdoors as they visit many places of interest and learn about the natural environment and their own community. Children happily play together or alongside each other, sharing and taking turns. They show care towards one another and have opportunities to socialise with other children through visits to local children's groups and outings with other childminders.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder sensitively promotes children's understanding of diversity and respect for others through discussions about differences, using a wide selection of books, resources and activities and by celebrating a range of different cultural festivals. Children thoroughly enjoyed eating at a Chinese restaurant as part of Chinese New Year celebrations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop their knowledge of safety and a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy daily trips out in the fresh air, play games in the garden and go to soft play. They take part in fire drills, visit the fire station and learn how to cross roads safely. Children are encouraged to follow consistent daily routines for hand washing, help to clean toys and use tissues to wipe their noses. Food tasting activities, visits to local shops to buy fresh produce and helping to make their own healthy snacks help children to learn about a healthy diet. 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

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