Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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 EY317006 Inspection date 13/05/2009 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 December 2005. She lives in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton-on-Tees with her husband and their two sons, who are aged eight and 13 years old. The family home is close to local amenities, such as schools, shops and social groups.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have the use of the whole ground floor of the house and there is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll aged between 20 months and eight years, of whom four are in the early years age group. All are cared for on a part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The environment is safe, secure and very welcoming for children. They have good access to a varied range of stimulating resources and activities which promote development in all areas of learning. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote inclusion and a very welcoming and inclusive service is provided. All records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available and well kept; however, some records do not fully comply with local procedures, such as the safeguarding policy. The childminder has implemented an appropriate system for self-evaluation and has the capacity to main the continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the safeguarding policy is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures.

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provision

All records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available and well kept; however, the safeguarding policy does not fully reflect local procedures. The attendance record and observation indicate that adult to child ratios are maintained.

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provision

The childminder completed an appropriate local authority approved childminder training course and has maintained her first aid qualification. She has a very positive attitude towards personal development and has attended lots of additional This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training courses since the last inspection. For example, introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage, including the six different areas of learning, 'Birth to three matters', baby signing, car seat awareness, policies and procedures, welfare requirements and observation, assessment and recording.

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provision

The childminder ensures the continuous improvement in the quality of care and education by implementing an appropriate system of self-evaluation and has identified some areas for future development. She has also made good improvements since the last inspection as the two recommendations that were raised in relation to documentation and resources have been fully addressed.

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provision

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers and confidentiality is maintained. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child, particularly when the child first starts to attend. For example, the childminder finds about each child's interests, what comforts them and their favourite toys. Arrangements for settling-in visits are agreed with parents to best suite the needs of individual children.

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provision

Parents receive good quality information about the provision and the childminder actively seeks their views and comments by issuing questionnaires. All responses from parents are very positive and all parents are happy with the level of care and education their children receive. Parents are kept well informed about their child’s achievements and progress through regular discussions with the childminder and they also have access to their child's daily diary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's learning well and they are making good progress in all areas of development. The learning environment is very welcoming. Examples of children's artwork are displayed. Children have individual named coat pegs and easy access to a varied range of stimulating and age-appropriate toys and activities. Activity planning is good, covers the six areas of learning and takes account of children's interests. Children's learning is assessed and information gained is appropriately used to inform future individual planning and promote progress. The childminder has a good 'transition' policy in place which involves parents and other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, working together to help children move on to new settings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping safe, take part in regular fire drills and have also participated in a recent project relating to road safety. They have regular opportunities to be active, for example, they dance indoors, play in the garden and visit soft play areas and different social groups on a regular basis. Children begin to understand the benefits of physical activity and a healthy diet through regular discussions and activities. They learn to understand and adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their learning and have a positive attitude. They form very good relationships with the childminder and with peers and are settled and happy. They have opportunities to be active learners, to be creative and to think critically and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their language development is well promoted through regular discussions. Children are well behaved and behaviour is calmly and effectively managed by the childminder, who encourages the development of good social skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children begin to understand the wider world through their play and communications. For example, they learn about wider society and their own and other cultural celebrations and have access to different resources which positively reflect wider society. They also have access to lots of different electronic and programmable toys, which helps to promote their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are currently no children with any learning difficulties and/or disabilities or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting. However, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs and demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote inclusion for all children. Overall, an inclusive and very welcoming service is provided. 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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