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 EY384273 Inspection date 30/06/2009 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 November 2008. She lives in a house with her four adult children 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 apart from the bedroom. Children do not access the first floor. There is a suitable and enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog, cat and fish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. Since being registered the childminder has cared for two children in the early years age range but has none on roll at the moment. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of the different needs and interests of children and values them as individuals. She is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and systems to plan and assess children's progress. Good relationships with parents ensures that there is a two way flow of information and that children's individual needs are met. The childminder has a positive attitude towards evaluating her practice, however there are no systems in place to ensure a cycle of continuous improvement. Not all required documentation is in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning, observation and assessment systems in order to clearly link to the areas ofd learning and early learning goals to ensure that children's learning is continually extended and challenged across all areas of learning  develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures  develop a system of reflective practice and self evaluation to clearly identify strengths and priorities for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (W1.1 Safeguarding and welfare)(also applies to the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 30/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

In general children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well. Good procedures followed by the childminder and effective risk assessments ensure that children remain safe whilst at the premises and on outings. The childminder is able to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, however, she lacks clarity of the correct procedures to follow should she have a concern or if an allegation is made against her or others in the household. There is no written safeguarding procedure which is a legal requirement. The childminder provides a supportive environment for children, which is suitable and safe both indoors and outdoors and equipped with a good range of well maintained toys, furniture and equipment.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents, as they share their knowledge of the children to ensure that their needs are met and continue to be met as fully as possible. Parents are provided with appropriate information, which keeps them informed about most aspects of the childminding practice, policies and procedures. However, they are not informed about how to make a complaint which is a legal requirement. Daily discussions with the childminder ensure that parents are kept well informed of their children care, welfare and progress.

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provision

The childminder has taken reasonable steps to improve her practice since registration, such as, providing parents with some written policies and increasing the resources for outdoor play to promote children's physical skills. She has identified some area for improvement such as, providing more role play resources. However, she has yet to effectively prioritise the next steps needed to further improve her practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the EYFS to help children make steady progress towards the early learning goals. She uses her knowledge of the children's developmental stages, to provide a good range of activities that promote their learning skills and development. However, 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 take part in activities such as, painting, construction, baking, role play, exploring natural materials, word and number games and looking at books. The childminder incorporates mathematical concepts and extends communication, language and literacy skills through everyday situations, for example, talking about shapes and colours as they paint, finding certain numbers when on local walks, measuring when baking, linking sounds to letters as they look at books and encouraging children to write their own name. The childminder constantly engages children in conversation, will ask open questions and encourage children to talk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about their experiences or what they are doing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a good balance of adult and child-led activities and are encouraged to make their own decisions about their play. They are able to self- select from the good range of resources available which promotes their independence and provides opportunities for them to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning continues in the outdoor environment. They visit local parks to explore the natural environment and collect natural materials, visit the library to select their own books and go on local walks to look at different buildings and learn about the local environment. Children are helped to begin to understand and value each other and others as they access a range of resources that increase their awareness of diversity and talk about differences between themselves and others that that see.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have appropriate opportunities to develop their knowledge of safety and a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a good range of physical activities in the park, garden and at soft play. They practice fire drills, cross roads safely when out, learn about stranger danger and who to go to if they need help. Consistent daily routines for washing hands and the good hygiene practises followed by the childminder prevent the spread of cross infection. Children are provided with healthy snacks and meals. They visit local shops to help buy fresh produce and have discussions with the childminder about healthy foods. 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 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) (also applies to the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/07/2009  Take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR7) 30/07/2009

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