Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY298430 Inspection date 26/10/2009 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 1996. She lives in the Linthorpe area of Middlesbrough with her daughter aged 15 years old. She has a pet cockatiel. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding apart from the back bedroom. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.45am to 4.15pm all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years old to 11 years old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 secure understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities, so that children are safe in her care and their welfare is promoted very successfully. She offers a warm, friendly and caring welcome to all children and their parents. Systems for the planning of activities and observing of children are being developed to involve parents. The childminder plans sensitively to meet individual needs and confidently promotes children's respect for their own and other cultures. The wide range of experiences she provides ensures children have the opportunity to make good progress. The majority of the areas of learning are covered very well. The childminder is highly committed to her own professional development and has a very reflective approach to her practice. She links with other childminders and the childminding coordinator from the local authority to ensure continuous improvement is made.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems to ensure parents can have regular opportunities to add to children's learning and development records.  support children developing skills for the future by developing the opportunities for children to access a range of information, communication and technology resources, for example, cameras, programmable toys and computers. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very organised and professional approach to her role. She fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children and is planning appropriately to enhance and strengthen her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded, as the childminder has suitable checks completed. This ensures children are protected and cared for in a safe and secure environment. Risk assessments are detailed and carefully considered to ensure that children remain safe, both in the home and outdoors. The childminder helps children think about ways to keep themselves safe, as they enact fire safety scenarios during fire drills and learn about road safety practices when walking in the local community. Required records, policies and procedures are all maintained appropriately and shared fully with parents. They are implemented effectively to ensure children's welfare is fully promoted and

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the early years framework and has integrated this skilfully into her daily planning. She has a commitment to her own professional development and recognises where there is a need for additional training. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been positively addressed, which helps to promote outcomes for children. The childminder reflects systematically on her practice and continuously evaluates how well she is promoting the outcomes for children. She gains verbal and written feedback from parents to broaden her view of the service provided and also seeks support from her local authority and other childminders. This is helping her to build on her strengths and significantly supports her capacity for continuous improvement. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built good relationships with parents. She speaks to them daily about the activities their children have enjoyed, as well as sending them text messages and has recently developed a DVD of activities they have enjoyed. She also uses a communication diary, so that they are kept fully informed about all aspects of their child's welfare and progress. However, systems for parents to contribute to children's learning and development records are not clearly developed. The childminder has a small amount of experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She demonstrates a very positive attitude to linking with other professionals and attending relevant training to meet any specific requirements. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of forming links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure continuity of care and learning for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS. She ensures all children have the opportunity to make good progress towards the early learning goals. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder’s good understanding of children's individual personalities promotes effective behaviour management. Her confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a selection of resources and the celebration of different festivals. Children particularly enjoy using the 'story sacks' relating to the story 'Handa's Surprise'. Although the toys and equipment in place promote most areas of learning, resources to support children's growing understanding of information communication and technology resources are not as accessible. Children are secure and settled in the childminder's care and relate well to the

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and outcomes for children

childminder, as she joins in with their play. Their ideas, wishes and interests are fully reflected in day-to-day planning, which is fluid and responsive to their changing needs. Children are able to plan and develop their own play ideas, as they select resources freely. The childminder knows the children very well and as such has a comprehensive understanding of their next steps in development. She has detailed individual files which include photographs and examples of their work. Observations are used to show which areas of learning are being covered and detailed assessment records show children's progression towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has flexible plans in place to ensure that children are taking part in a wide range of activities, many of which take place at local toddler and Sure Start groups. Children attend 'sing and sign' group, where they have fun signing their favourite songs and explore music and sounds with 'shakers'. This also helps to provide children with opportunities to socialise with their peers. Children use their imagination well as they use the play kitchen and packet food, pretending to go shopping with the basket and then prepare the 'dinner'. Children express a particular interest in cars and transport. Planning is focused around this and children have fun exploring their creativity as they make cars and buses out of large cardboard boxes. Early language and communication is promoted as the childminder introduces new vocabulary, such as wheels and tyres. Early counting skills are promoted as children observe and count the wheels on cars as they are

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and outcomes for children

out walking. A variety of activities nurtures children's problem solving skills, for example, as they play with jigsaws and explore sorting, matching and sequencing games. A wide range of creative experiences are provided to promote children's self-expression whilst having fun. Children love to express themselves with multi- cultural scarves, treasure baskets and have fun icing biscuits and buns. They love to experiment with paint as they paint their hands and feet and make print on large paper. Nature walks include opportunities for children to feel the bark on the trees and collect leaves and conkers. Opportunities to plant and nurture sunflowers and cress seeds encourages children's knowledge of the living world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a very clean and comfortable environment, where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. They do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. The childminder emphasises the value of being active outdoors and raises children's awareness of the importance of exercise and fresh air. The garden is organised so that they can learn to manage their large physical skills, as they ride on toys, climb, play football and learn how to negotiate the space and objects around them. The childminder uses everyday conversations to raise their awareness of a healthy lifestyle, helping children understand the importance of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 healthy eating, as they help prepare varied snacks and healthy meals. Children's health and well-being is further enhanced as the childminder role models

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and outcomes for children

acceptable behaviour and practice. Paper towels and wipes are provided in the bathroom and children develop a good understanding that they need to wash their hands before eating food. Children are active or restful through choice and toddlers sleep in line with their individual needs and parent’s wishes. The childminder has a calm, consistent attitude to caring for the children. She sets clear boundaries for them, where she explains what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. Strategies are discussed with parents and both use them for consistency. 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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