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 EY321498 Inspection date 09/06/2009 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17 months, four and five years in Consett. The family also has a pet dog. The home is accessed by several steps. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom and children's bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for children on week days from 08.15 to 16.00 for 48 weeks of the year. She has completed a relevant training course and 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 suitably warm and welcoming environment for all children and their families. Appropriate systems for gathering information from parents ensures that the childminder is aware of the children's individual welfare needs. The childminder has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and this is combined with a suitable range of activities to help children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. All documentation required to promote children's welfare is in place. Suitable procedures have been established to evaluate the care and education provided, in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider the individual needs, interests and stages of development of all of the children in order to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience inside and outside of the home  continue to develop understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to further develop procedures to observe, analyse and use the information found out about the children to plan for the next steps in their learning  further develop the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact with including, regular outings. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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. Appropriate safety equipment along with close supervision ensure that children are kept safe in the house and on outings. This is combined with clear written risk assessments to further promote children's safety, however, these do not fully cover all areas for example, regular toddler groups. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. This is supported by a clear written safeguarding children policy.

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provision

The childminder implements suitable self-evaluation systems in order to review the service she provides. She works closely with other childminders to share good practice and uses questionnaires to gather feedback from parents. She has responded positively to recommendations raised at the previous inspection, this helps to improve outcomes for children. The childminder implements appropriate 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 provides copies of all relevant policies and procedures. She ensures that parents are kept up-to-date about their child's learning and care as she makes effective use of a daily diary system and shares observation sheets with them. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards working with other organisations to support children's learning and care needs. All required procedures are in place to

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provision

ensure that all adults within the home are suitable to be in close proximity of children and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This further safeguards children.

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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 freely. The childminder provides a wide range of resources, stored on low level shelving so that children can access them independently and make choices about their play. Photographs and examples of the children's work are displayed on the walls, this helps children to feel a sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem. The childminder has clear routines in place which provide lots of opportunities for children to visit local toddler groups. These provide children with regular opportunities to socialise with their peers and take part in planned activities such as celebrating the Chinese new year. The childminder interacts adequately with the children as they play with shape sorters, discussing colour and shape. She promotes their self-care skills as she encourages them to put on their own shoes and use tissues to blow their nose. Activities such as painting, gluing and drawing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

helps to develop children's fine motor skills and promotes their creative development. However, during the inspection activities were not effectively planned to respond to the children's individual needs, as a result, play was not always purposeful. This has a slightly negative impact on behaviour, however, the childminder does use age appropriate techniques such as, distraction and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussion to encourage positive behaviour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS. She has a suitable awareness of the children's individual development and plans some activities to further develop this, for example, she encourages children to explore mini beasts and introduces books about animals as she recognises some children are afraid of them. Individual files are in place for the children which include examples of their work and observations. The childminder is beginning to link these to the areas of learning and use them to identify next steps in children's learning, however, these are not yet clearly linked into planning to ensure that identified learning goals are met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Suitable hygiene procedures such as washing hands before snacks helps to promote children's good health. This is combined with a balanced diet, for example, snacks of fresh fruit and planned activities such as making fruit smoothies. Discussion about road safety along with gentle reminders from the childminder, such as not to jump on the furniture as they may hurt themselves, helps children to begin to learn about keeping themselves 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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