Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 301098 Inspection date 02/06/2009 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 was registered in 1988. She lives with her adult daughter in the Whinfield area of Darlington. The family has a pet hamster. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is also registered as a foster carer and currently cares for three children aged nine months, seven and 11 years. 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 age range. She is currently minding one children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for children on week days from 07.30 to 17.30 for 48 weeks of the year. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for all children and their families. Suitable systems for gathering information from parents ensures that the childminder has an appropriate understanding of the children's individual needs. She has worked hard to address the actions raised at the previous inspection and as a result, has a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is combined with a wide range of activities to help children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has some awareness of areas for development, however, she has not developed any procedures to evaluate and monitor her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop safeguarding children procedures to ensure that all required information is in place and up-to-date  further develop systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities  develop procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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provision

Children's welfare is appropriately promoted as all of the documentation required to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. This includes appropriate procedures to record medication, accidents and children's details. Clear written risk assessments covering all areas of the home and outings, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 further promote children's safety. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. This is supported by written information, however, some of this is out of date.

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provision

The childminder has worked hard to address the actions raised at the previous inspection. As a result, all required documentation, and suitable procedures to observe and plan for individual children are now in place, this helps to promote outcomes for children. However, she has not introduced procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice in order to identify areas for development. The childminder implements acceptable procedures for working with parents. She meets with them prior to children starting so that she is able to discuss with them how she works and gather information required to meet children's individual needs. She exchanges verbal information daily to ensure that parents are aware of their children's care and parents have regular access to their child's individual learning file. The childminder encourages parents to get involved in their children's learning as she discusses planned activities with them and encourages them to support

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provision

them, for example, dressing children in red clothes to support learning about different colours. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards working with other organisations to support children's learning and care needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Space at the childminder's home is effectively arranged so that children can move around independently and choose from indoor or outdoor play. The childminder provides a wide range of resources, some of which children can access freely and others are regularly rotated by the childminder. The children benefit from flexible planning which is based on their individual needs and is supported by individual files which document the children's learning. However, these are in the early stages and the childminder has not further developed them to link to the areas of learning. The childminder is developing a sound understanding of the children's next steps in learning and interacts appropriately with them to extend learning. For example, she has recently introduced the concept of circles to the children through nursery rhymes, such as 'round and round the garden'. She further supports this learning as she points out the circle of the trampoline and the hoola hoops.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to develop basic counting and matching skills as they make patterns with coloured pegs and sing counting nursery rhymes. The childminder uses story sacks to encourage children's interest in books and reading and to promote their communication skills. Children have suitable opportunities to learn about their local community as they go for walks to the park and to local toddler groups where they are able to socialise with their peers. Planned activities, such as celebrating Shrove Tuesday and the Chinese New Year further develops their interest in the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They laugh and giggle with her and she clearly knows them well, for example, recognising when they are tired. This is combined with appropriate behaviour management techniques and regular praise and encouragement to help to develop children's self-esteem and promote positive behaviour. Children play in a safe and suitable environment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 where they have regular opportunities for physical play and fresh air, such as walking to school and playing in the garden on scooters and trampolines. Meals are provided by parents, however, the childminder is aware of the importance of eating healthily and to providing regular drinks especially in hot weather. Appropriate safety equipment, along with practising regular fire drills and discussing road safety, helps children to begin to learn about keeping themselves

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

safe. 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: 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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