Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY316684 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, five and 12 years in the residential area of Southwick in Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor, except the ground floor bedroom of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age range, and two children aged between five and under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 49 weeks of the year. She takes and collects children from the local schools and nurseries and attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a dog.

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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 environment where children and parents are recognised and valued as individuals. She works very closely with parents and forges good links with others to meet children's individual needs. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively and is able to identify areas for further development very well to support continuous improvement. The required documentation is in place, and the vast majority is very well maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 include date of when action was taken to address matters raised through risk assessment procedures  continue to develop systems to monitor and assess children's individual progress to inform planning and support children's learning.

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the early years provision

A comprehensive safeguarding children policy is in place. The childminder’s knowledge of the procedure is very good. Security is good. Procedures for the collection of children are very strict. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained. Risk assessment procedures are good and suitable records are kept. However, details do not include dates of when action was taken to address points raised. Appropriate safety equipment is provided. Regular fire drills are completed and recorded. Very good use is made of relevant policies and procedures. For example, the childminder has a clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of the action to take in respect of an uncollected or lost child. She has a good understanding of how to manage a complaint. Systems in place to evaluate the quality of service, care and education provided are effective. This

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the early years provision

enables the childminder to identify and task very well those areas in need of improvement. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. The childminder continues to develop her skills through training. She has completed training in respect of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and is about to complete a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Childcare, Learning and Development.

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the early years provision

Space is very well utilised and provides children with access to a broad variety of resources and activities. Child-friendly storage systems enable children to make choices. This helps nurture their decision making and independence skills. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is promoted very well. The childminder presents as a positive role model. She provides a good selection of resources and activities to help promote the various aspects of diversity. For instance, festivals from other cultures are recognised and celebrated, such as Diwali the Hindu Festival of Lights. Children have opportunities to taste foods from other cultures and to dress-up in ethnic costumes. Discussion and simple age appropriate explanations are used very well to help children to develop positive attitudes and recognise differences in a positive manner. The childminder is able to explain how she would challenge appropriately any form of discrimination, whether

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the early years provision

from an adult or child. Good arrangements are in place to support children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder would work with parents to obtain key words and phrases in a child's home language to aid communication and help develop a child's ability to understand and speak English. Visual prompts and gestures would be used. If necessary she would seek help from the Local Authority to acquire an interpreter. Effective systems are in place to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or a disability get the help and support they require. The childminder liaises very well with other agencies. She has worked with a dietician, health visitors, the Local Authority Inclusion Team and the Autistic outreach team. She is able to describe how she would forge links with others delivering the EYFS to share pertinent information and promote children's continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

Effective relationships are established with parents. Good induction procedures ensure that relevant details about children's initial needs and abilities is obtained and recorded. This enables the childminder to assess children's starting points very well. A series of visits to her home allow all parties to become familiar with each other. Children's admission into her care is gradual and tailored to their individual needs. Consequently, children settle very well. Parents are well informed of the service provided and policies and procedures are shared with them. They are actively encouraged to keep the childminder informed of any information to assist her to meet the evolving needs of their child. Parents are kept very well up-to-date regarding their child's progress and events of the day. This is achieved through the effective use of verbal feedback, photographs, scrapbooks and respective parents access to their child's records. Information about each child's preferred activities,

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the early years provision

current interests and the promotion of specific areas of development and set goals is shared with parents. For example, encouraging one child to share toys more readily. This enables parents to support their child's learning and development at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home. Feedback from parents is very positive. One parent stated that she 'could not do without the support and advice from the childminder' and that her child ' adores their childminder'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the EYFS and uses it very well to support her practice. Children are able to learn at their own level and pace and their progress is good. Children are very well supported and challenged. A good balance of adult led activities is provided, such as food tasting, cookery, story time, singing, ring games and outings. Children visit places of interest, such as Sunderland Winter Gardens and museum, the local library & toy library, Herrington Park and soft-play facilities. They observe wildlife and take part in pond-dipping activities led by a ranger at Hylton Dene. Young children regularly attend local parent and toddler groups. Through these outings children have additional opportunities to socialise with others and to develop their awareness of the local community and the wider world. Children explore their environment freely under the very close supervision of the childminder. A two-year-old was fully engrossed

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and outcomes for children

when playing with a tea-set and play-food. The childminder used the opportunity very well to reinforce and extend the child's language and vocabulary. She further extended the child's play by providing a new shopping bag. The child gleefully announced they were going shopping and excitedly filled the bag with play-food. This led to a conversation about shopping items and further development of the play and learning experience.

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and outcomes for children

Very close relationships are evident between the childminder and the children. Children are happy and contented. Observations are used effectively to establish a sound understanding of children's individual capabilities. Their progress is recorded very well via scrapbooks and learning journey journals. The next step to be taken to support each child’s learning is identified effectively and individual goals are set to help children to progress. However, information does not always identify if and when set goals were achieved. The childminder recognises and celebrates children's efforts and achievements. This helps foster children's confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder manages children's behaviour in a clam and consistent manner. Age appropriate tactics are used very well. For example, rules are explained and gently reinforced with older children and distraction is used with younger children. The childminder uses recognition and praise to promote and reinforce positive behaviour. Children’s behaviour is very good. The childminder helps raise children's awareness of safety by talking to them about matters, such as the need to stay close to her during outings and 'stranger-danger'. Children practise road safety and take part in regular fire drills which are recorded. This helps keep children safe. Hygiene standards are very good. Positive role modelling and regular routines are used very well to promote and preserve children's well-being. Relevant policies and procedures are understood and used very well. For instance, those in respect of a sick or injured child, the administration of medication and accident management.

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and outcomes for children

Parents are closely consulted about their child’s dietary needs and records kept. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Healthy eating is promoted. Children are offered fresh fruit and vegetables to help towards their five-a-day. Fresh drinking water and other suitable drinks are provided. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are actively promoted. Children go for frequent walks and play outdoors each day, weather permitting. A good selection of resources and activities is offered to allow children to develop and refine their physical skills. This includes team games and activities initiated by the childminder, such as the egg and spoon race. 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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