Childminder in Darlington

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 EY386268 Inspection date 19/05/2009 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 December 2008. She lives with her husband and their three daughters aged 17, 15 and 13 years in the west end of Darlington. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the fourth bedroom is used for childminding and children have access to a large rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She is currently minding three children in this age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a qualified, experienced primary school teacher.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder and warm, trusting relationships are evident. The childminder is very knowledgeable of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide range of well-planned activities so that children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Close daily liaison with parents helps the childminder to support individual needs with sensitivity and plan well to ensure all children are fully included. The childminder reflects on her practice very effectively and demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop links with other practitioners to ensure continuity and coherence in children's learning and development  extend the details in the safeguarding policy so this fully reflects childminding procedures  obtain written permission from parents for children to use outdoor equipment, including the trampoline.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced, qualified early years professional who is organised and confident in her role. Detailed policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children’s welfare is effectively promoted at all times. All except the written safeguarding procedure fully reflect the childminder's practice. The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children and has a clear understanding of her role within the procedures of the Local Safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children Board. Risk assessments are thorough and detailed, ensuring effective action is taken to maintain children's safety at all times. There is a clear written plan for emergency evacuation. This is practised with the children and they have an increasing understanding of what they must do should an incident occur.

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provision

Parents are provided with good quality information about the early years provision. They are encouraged to share lots of information about their child to enable the childminder to plan for their learning and to meet their needs. Written permission has been obtained where necessary with the exception of children using outdoor equipment, including the trampoline. Parents speak very highly of the care their children receive. Systems to establish links with other settings, to enhance continuity of care and learning, are being considered, but are not yet fully in place.

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provision

The childminder is fully committed to her own professional development and strives actively to provide high quality care. Her practice is enhanced by her positive attitude to development and she is eager to develop her provision further. She reflects sensitively upon her practice and is beginning to make good use of self-evaluation to appropriately target areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment where they enjoy lots of attention from the childminder who clearly enjoys being with them. They approach her confidently, engage in play with her, and are very much 'at home' and relaxed. A wide range of well-chosen resources are readily available and easily accessible to children. The continuous provision approach offers children an environment in which they can be active, confident participants, making choices based on their own experiences and good organisation of the day allows them have the time to do this. Planning reflects the childminder's awareness of each child's individual needs and interests. She constantly observes children and shows a clear understanding of their stages of development. Planning and assessment systems appropriately reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the childminder is using guidance materials effectively to help her differentiate and extend planned activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Learning journeys using photographs, observations and samples of children's work chart children's progress towards the early learning. The children are rightly very proud of these and enjoy looking at them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave very well and demonstrate kindness and concern for one another. They are very independent, managing hygiene routines, and choosing what they want to play with. They are learning about the importance of caring for animals as they help to look after the childminder's dog, who they love, and the guinea pig. Communication, speaking and listening skills are developing well and they interact very well with each other and the childminder. They are curious and continually ask questions to help them make sense of what is happening around them. They love books and show sustained concentration as they listen to stories, are able to re-telling familiar narrative and ask questions about the books title and author. The childminder spontaneously introduces maths language into everyday play, for example as children fit together blocks to make a castle, explore sand, water and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

paint and participate in baking and cooking activities. Children's creativity is emerging as they express themselves through media and materials. They love dressing up and are a delight to watch as they become princes and princesses and make dens under the table.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has created a safe, rich learning environment, both indoors and out. Her home is warm, welcoming and good standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout. Children are always fully supervised in their play, whilst being actively encouraged to develop safe levels of independence. They are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe as they carry out regular fire drills and practice road safety. The childminder has a good understanding of behaviour management techniques and gives regular praise and encouragement to promote positive behaviour. Overall, children are happy, safe, enjoy being with the childminder, and are well cared for. 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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