Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 506897 Inspection date 04/09/2009 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Bedlington area of Northumberland. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes, access to the first floor is restricted to the use of the bathroom. There is a safe and enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The family has a dog, budgie and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, of which two may be aged under one year. She is currently caring for five children, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive service in which all children are treated as individuals and their welfare needs are effectively met. Children make good progress within their learning as the childminder plans stimulating activities around children's individual interests and stages of development. Effective partnerships with parents and other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providers has been established in order to meet children's individual needs. The childminder is developing systems to enable her to reflect on her childcare provision and to target areas for improvement in order to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of self-evaluation by involving parents and children in the process  improve the system used to capture children's learning, making it easy to monitor and track children's individual progress.

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. The childminder implements her safeguarding training fully, ensuring all the children in her care are safe and secure at all times. She demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow if concerns about children's welfare are raised. The parents are informed about the childminder's safeguarding responsibilities as detailed in her child protection policy. This, combined with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 up to date records for attendance, medication and accidents ensures children are well protected.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children she cares for exceptionally well and organises her day to meet their individual needs. The wide range of activities both inside and outdoors help children to make good progress in their learning and promotes their welfare. Effective risk assessments are conducted to ensure that children are safe. Indoor and outdoor play spaces are organised well so children have easy access to the extensive range of age-appropriate play equipment, which are frequently changed to constantly keep children interested and engaged. As a result, children are able to make choices and to play at their own pace.

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the early years provision

Settling-in procedures are tailored to suit the individual child and family, and this helps the childminder to get to know them extremely well. The childminder and parents work very well together. She is proactive in gathering details from parents about the children before they start to attend to ensure their individual needs are met. Parents receive regular information about their children's activities through photographs and daily feedback which helps to keep them informed of their progress. A clear set of policies and procedures have been developed to help the childminder carry out her work effectively, support the care of the children and inform parents about the service. Parents provide complementary written references for the childminder and express their overwhelming satisfaction with the service that is provided. The childminder has successfully made links with other providers delivering the EYFS for children in her care, in order to ensure

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the early years provision

The childminder uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help her identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, enabling her to make improvements. However, on this occasion she has not sought the views of parents and children, this means that priorities may not be as accurately targeted as they could be. Changes have been made since the last inspection. For example, she has improved the system to record medication which further safeguards children and she has extended the range of resources helping children to develop their awareness of disability. The childminder regularly uses relevant websites and publications to keep abreast of any changes to registration and inspection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the EYFS which is implemented well into her everyday practice. The relevant information collated at the beginning of the placement about what children enjoy and can do is used well to assess their individual starting points. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder who provides a stimulating and caring environment. Even very young children are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities. Children take part in a good range of activities because of the childminder's very clear understanding of how children learn and develop. Their age and stage of development is taken into account to ensure they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive the maximum benefits from the activities. Regular observations are

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and outcomes for children

undertaken by the childminder who has begun to collate children's work and complements this with photographs. However, the system used is not individualised which makes it difficult to clearly monitor and track the progress that children are making.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive lots of individual attention from the childminder who actively supports their growing independence, encouraging them to work things out for themselves. For example, a young child successfully worked out how to retrieve a ball from under a piece of furniture and was thrilled with her achievement. The childminder interprets very young children's non-verbal language well, responding warmly to their requests to be cuddled or finding out what they are pointing at. They learn about the local community on their walks and meet people who help us during visits from the fire officer and local police officer. Children develop their creativity with paints, dough and collage materials and explore different materials, such as water and sand. Very young children show pleasure when songs are played on interactive toys, encouraging them to move their bodies in time with the music. Children have many suitable resources that help them learn about diversity

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and outcomes for children

and disability, such as play figures, dolls and books, which the childminder uses to promote discussions.

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and outcomes for children

Extremely close and caring relationships between the childminder and children develop their confidence, self-esteem and promote a very strong sense of self. Children are cared for tenderly and with great affection. Consequently, they feel secure and extremely happy. Children's health and well-being are well promoted. The childminder takes full account of children's dietary needs and provides them with nutritious meals which include fresh vegetables, fruit and regular drinks. The childminder takes appropriate steps to prevent the spread of infection and encourages good personal hygiene routines through her explanations and role modelling. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through daily routines, such as learning about road safety as they walk to and from school holding hands with the childminder. They know about fire safety and how to evacuate the house safely as they have practised the emergency evacuation with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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