Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313863 Inspection date 18/09/2009 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 1986. She lives with her husband and adult daughter on the outskirts of Burnopfield, County Durham, which is within a short distance from the centre of Burnopfield village. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bathroom is available. There is an enclosed outdoor garden and patio area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for nine children, of whom five are in the early years age range. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and nurseries.

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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

Children are provided with a friendly and relaxed environment, where they are affectionately cared for by a committed and experienced childminder. They benefit from the inclusive, flexible service she provides where all children are valued and respected as individuals. They make steady progress in their learning and development as they freely explore their surroundings, and initiate their own play following their individual interests. The childminder works exceptionally well with parents to make sure that children's individual needs are very well supported. Effective policies and procedures are in place and underpin the service provided. The childminder has made a good start on her self evaluation process and her commitment to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement plans to record children's progress in order to clearly monitor and track their progress over time.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a comprehensive safeguarding policy. She is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues, and of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. Suitability checks have been completed on all adult family members who may come into contact with the children. A detailed, regularly reviewed risk assessment ensures the suitability and safety of outdoor and indoor spaces, furniture, equipment and toys. She clearly explains how she minimises risks to children in her home and on outings through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate safety arrangements and by completing detailed written risk assessment. All the required documents are maintained well, including accident, medication and attendance records.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children very well, and uses this information to provide a varied and stimulating range of activities which covers all six areas of learning. Planning is flexible and takes the needs and interests of all children into account, whilst ensuring there is a balance of adult and child-led activities delivered through indoor and outdoor play. There are good systems in place to collect information about what children enjoy and can do before they start. This, combined with informal ongoing observational assessment, ensures the childminder provides enjoyable and challenging experiences tailored to the individual needs of the children. The childminder is very clear about what individual children know and can do, and what she would like the child to achieve next. Currently this information is shared verbally with parents and they are readily encouraged to share their observations made from home. The childminder intends to formalise this

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the early years provision

information by recording children's progress in journals, complimented with photographs and children's creative work, acknowledging that this will help to clearly monitor and track children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains excellent links with parents and carers, collecting and sharing information about children and valuing their contributions as partners in children's ongoing learning and development. Parents are asked to read key policies and procedures, including the complaints procedure. They are kept very well informed of their child’s progress and achievements through verbal feedback. The childminder welcomes feedback from parents and children about the service she provides, which helps her to ensure that their needs are being met. Written references from parents demonstrates strongly their overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward the childminder and the service that she offers. The childminder has experience of working with children with disabilities, and parents make strong positive comments about the exceptional support they have received from the childminder. The childminder has established good links with other professionals

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the early years provision

involved in children's care, such as nurseries and schools where there is shared care, ensuring continuity in care and their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good start to the self evaluation. She works with fellow childminders and local development workers to help her identify strengths and areas for improvement. Alongside this she is an active member of the childminding network and provides support to new childminders in the area. She is a motivated and dedicated practitioner, who has many years experience as a childminder and strives to make continuous improvements to the service she provides. She attends as much training as possible to help keep up-to-date with current issues, and attends childminding conferences and seminars.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly love spending time at the childminder's home. They are confident and settle easily into the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Children access play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rooms that are well-equipped with suitable age appropriate toys and play equipment. This environment enables children to independently access a good selection of play opportunities that supports their steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder is skilful in extending children’s play by asking open ended questions, and recalling past events familiar to them, encouraging their language and communication skills. She constantly talks to the children, during activities, as they play with the musical instruments, complete floor puzzles or draw pictures. Children have free access to a range of books, using them to enjoy stories and as reference tools, which in turn helps promote literacy skills and

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and outcomes for children

a love of books. The childminder knows the children well and builds on their interest to provide good play opportunities and activities. For example, their make plans to bake a birthday cake and use the cookery book to check on the ingredients needed, how much they need and how many candles they should use. The childminder encourages children to socialise with other children, as they attend childminder drop in sessions and the local toddler groups.

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and outcomes for children

Outdoor play is a central feature of the day. Children thoroughly enjoy running in the nearby park and walking to feed the horses. This combined with regular trips to toddler groups where they can access bikes and large climbing equipment, ensures children develop their gross motor skills whilst learning that exercise can be great fun. The childminder is also encouraging the children to learn about how things grow, planting tomatoes and strawberries which they enjoy picking and eating. The childminder actively encourages counting and number recognition in everyday activities and routines. For example, she gets the children to count the number of steps they have to climb to reach the top, and the ingredients they use in baking activities. Children of all ages have good opportunities to explore a range of media and materials including paint, play dough, collage and crayons. The childminder understands the importance of developing close, caring relationships

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and outcomes for children

with the children in order to increase their sense of trust and develop their sense of belonging and self-esteem. She encourages the children to listen to one another and to share toys and other resources. A good range of resources reflecting disability is available, the childminder demonstrating how these are used meaningfully to encourage children to learn about similarities and differences. For example, whilst completing a puzzle she talks to the children about why they think the person is using crutches or why they are using the wheel chair.

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and outcomes for children

Effective safety practices, such as regular fire drills, locking external doors and undertaking detailed risk assessments, create an environment where children's safety is of paramount importance. Alongside this, close supervision from the childminder, coupled with clear explanations about keeping safe both inside and outside the house, minimises potential hazards and protects the welfare of the children in her care. Children are healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures for handling and storing foods as well as encouraging effective hand washing and nappy changing routines. Meals for very young children are generally provided by their parents however, for the older children the childminder provides a healthy home cooked meal. The childminder encourages parents to provide well balanced meals and compliments this with healthy snacks and regular drinks. 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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