Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313817 Inspection date 29/09/2009 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 1982. She lives with her husband on an established, residential estate within the village of Burnopfield, a rural area of Durham adjoining the western outskirts of Gateshead. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed, rear garden for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of both the National Childminding Association and the Durham Childminding Network. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, of whom three are in the early age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local childminders' group and toddler groups on a regular basis and drops off and collects children from nearby schools 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

The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of each child’s individual needs and has established generally effective systems for planning and observing children’s progress. Children are valued and respected and the childminder works in close partnership with parents to provide an inclusive service where children's individual needs are met. All of the required policies, procedures and records are in place and support the childminder's practice well. The childminder has begun to monitor and evaluate her provision and has a positive attitude towards further development of her skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider dating children's observations to help monitor and track their progress over time  involve parents more in their children's learning by sharing their children's development file with them and encouraging them to make their own observational contribution.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very secure understanding of child protection issues, which ensures children's welfare is promoted should she ever have a concern about them. She takes good steps to identify and eliminate risks around her home, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as preventing access to the kitchen with a stair gate and storing medicines out of children's reach. The childminder has risk assessments in place for all areas of the home and equipment which further ensures children are protected from any possible dangers. Risk assessments are undertaken for each outing ensuring children's safety is assured. The childminder has in place a comprehensive range of policies and procedures to support her good practice. She shares these with parents which helps to keep them fully informed about the care and learning she provides for their children. The childminder plans a good range of activities and

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the early years provision

organises her home well to provide children with free access to a stimulating range of resources which promote their learning well, and allows for independent access to the outdoor play area. This means they develop independence, learn to make choices about the toys they wish to play with and are encouraged to get plenty of fresh air to promote their good health.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes successful relationships with parents by providing them with regular verbal information about her setting and keeps them fully updated about their child's activities and personal care routines. However, children's learning and development files have not been shared with the parents to enable them to contribute to the observation and assessment process. Questionnaires from parents report that they are very pleased with the provision and that they are fully consulted about all decisions that affect their child.

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the early years provision

As part of the childminding network the childminder is constantly reviewing her practice to identify areas for development, ensuring children's continued progress in their learning and development. The childminder is proactive in developing links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which children attend. For example, the use of homework files and regular newsletters between the nursery helps to ensure that children’s needs are met and there is continuity in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the EYFS. She has a flexible approach to planning, giving priority to children's specific and spontaneous interests. She has begun to record observations of the children and is successfully linking them to the areas of learning and using the information to identify and plan for children's next steps. However, the observation notes are not dated so it is not easy to clearly monitor and track children's progress over time. The childminder devotes her time and attention to the children, effectively promoting their learning though play. Communication, language, literacy, problem solving and numeracy are woven through all activities. For example, as they complete an alphabet puzzle together the childminder asks open-ended questions encouraging them to think and to work things out for themselves and at the same time helping them to recognise letters and letter sounds.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a range of activities both indoors and outdoors which promote children's progress in the six areas of learning and prepare them very well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for the future. Children draw and colour to develop their pencil control and use this to express themselves creatively. For instance, one child decided he would draw himself and the childminder making sure they both had smiley faces and the right amount of limbs. Children are keen to communicate and interact readily with the childminder, who listens attentively to what they say. She responds very well to their questions however complex they appear. For example, one child wanted to know why he only had two legs whilst the dog had four and also queried why the clouds moved. Children are growing in independence and are eager to contribute toward their own care needs, for example, toileting and hand washing. Children

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and outcomes for children

are involved in their local community and socialise with other children as they regularly visit toddler and nursery groups, use the local park and participate in a range of local walks and outings. Children’s understanding of the society in which they live is beginning to develop through discussion, stories and play resources, increasing their awareness of culture, gender and ability. This helps children recognise, value and respect similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to learn about keeping themselves safe through gentle reminders and explanations. For instance, as the childminder and child are coming downstairs she reminds him to hold the banister and explains why, helping him to understand about how to keep himself safe. Children are constantly learning about the safety precautions to take when out and about; holding hands or finding a safe place to cross the road. Regular fire drills are completed which further protects children making them aware of the procedures to follow in an emergency. Plenty of praise and encouragement is used to raise children's confidence and self-esteem and help them to develop an awareness of right and wrong. The childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks according to children’s individual dietary needs. She has established effective systems to help children stay healthy with regard to keeping

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and outcomes for children

her home clean and implementing procedures to avoid cross-infection. 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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