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 EY391186 Inspection date 18/08/2009 Inspector Karen Marie Tervit

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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 March 2009. She lives with her husband and two young children in Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor. The whole of the ground floor of the property, apart from the lounge and the main first floor bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder lives close to local schools and amenities. The family has two dogs, two cats and three guinea pigs. The childminder's husband is her assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. Children attend on a part-time basis. She takes children to and collects from local schools and nurseries. The childminder is able to provide overnight care for two children under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a very warm and welcoming environment to all children and their families. She meets the needs of the children in her care because she has a good awareness of their individual abilities. As a result children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Positive relationships with the parents and other providers of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are in place. The childminder is in the early stages of evaluating her strengths and areas for development. She is committed and enthusiastic about continually improving her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  further develop systems to evaluate the service provided to ensure that plans for the future are prioritised and well targeted to bring about improvement and outcomes for children, for example by using the Ofsted self evaluation form.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the EYFS and has used this to devise comprehensive written policies and procedures to support children’s care and learning. These include safeguarding procedures, an inclusion policy and a behaviour policy. There is a comprehensive record of risk assessments, which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clearly highlights potential hazards within the home. However, although the childminder carries out a full risk assessment for each type of outing she undertakes, there is no written record of these for each individual outing. Children are safeguarded by the childminder who has a clear understanding of her role in protecting children. She has recently completed further child protection training.

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provision

The childminder has good systems in place to observe children; these include beautiful photographs and lively annotations to record their progress. Assessments are linked to the areas of learning and this information is used to plan for the next steps in their learning. She is committed and enthusiastic about improving her practice. She has a level 2 childcare qualification and is beginning to reflect on her practice in order to further promote positive outcomes for the children.

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provision

The childminder has good links with the children's parents and information is routinely shared regarding the children's progress and development. They receive a welcome pack which contains lots of information about the childminder, her family and the service she offers. Daily sheets are completed for parents containing lots of useful day-to-day information. The childminder's hall provides a wealth of information for parents, including planning, welcome boards and menus, as well as information about the EYFS. Children's folders containing detailed observations, artwork and photos of their learning journeys are sent home on a weekly basis, giving parents good opportunities to contribute to these. The childminder has strong links with other providers of EYFS and works in partnership with them to complement children’s care and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled, and have a very good relationship with the childminder; they approach her confidently and freely. The childminder talks to the children constantly as they play together and this encourages their growing vocabularies. She is skilled at asking them questions to help them think about what they are doing and extend their learning. The clear routine for the day includes both adult-led and child-initiated play. Good behaviour is encouraged at all times and children frequently receive achievement certificates and awards. The setting is organised to ensure that they can access resources independently, which are stored safely at low level. Children are confident and help themselves to these resources. Children enthusiastically play in the well resourced garden. They develop their climbing skills or delight in making the glider move independently. Their brightly coloured masks are attractively displayed on the fence. As well as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

daily outings in the local environment to places, such as the park, library and swimming pool, they also go farther afield to interesting and exciting places, such as the Oriental Museum, the Sage and Hamsterley Forest.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's creative development is promoted well through painting and craft activities. They play imaginatively as they take their dolls to college or make net material into brides’ headdresses and saris. Children thoroughly enjoy baking or decorating biscuits. They are developing their gross and fine motor skills, for example, babies are encouraged to practise their crawling skills by the childminder who deliberately places a favourite teddy just out of reach. Older children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developing their computer skills and confidently use the sturdy digital camera. Children are developing their skills at recognising shapes as they join in 'Shape Bingo'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted through their diet and the frequent opportunities they have to play in the fresh air. Their meals contain freshly made ingredients, such as pasta dishes and casseroles, with lots of hidden fresh vegetables. Children’s individual dietary requirements are well catered for. Snacks are always fresh fruit or vegetables, often grown at the childminder’s allotment, which the children frequently visit. They thoroughly enjoy snack time, chatting happily as they sit at the low level table pouring their own drinks from the plastic teapots. They also learn how to keep healthy through interesting activities and colourful displays about good fruits to eat and the importance of hand washing. The children's awareness of their own safety is promoted through careful supervision, gentle reminders about taking care in case they slip after spilling the water and regular routines for practising the emergency evacuation procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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