Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313980 Inspection date 01/12/2009 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 1994. She lives with her husband and adult child in Consett, County Durham. Her home is close to all facilities including schools, nurseries and shops. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family keep tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding six children of whom five are in the early years age group. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to and from local nurseries to take and collect children and attends local toddler and childminder groups.

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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 feel safe and secure as the childminder provides a welcoming and safe environment. She demonstrates a genuine commitment towards inclusion, and this is evident throughout all aspects of her provision. An effective range of activities are planned for, which cover all areas of learning and ensures that children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Good systems are in place to monitor and evaluate practice, consequently, the childminder has a clear understanding of her areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop children's assessment records to include links to the areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Children's welfare is further assured as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. The childminder has worked hard to develop a comprehensive and detailed range of policies and procedures, including child protection, complaints, behaviour management and equal opportunities. She uses these to inform practice and protect the welfare of the children she cares for. There are well maintained systems in place to record attendance, as well as effective recording systems for the administration of medication, accidents and allergies. All required information is collated and well documented. A written risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment and daily safety checks ensure the suitability of indoor spaces,

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the early years provision

furniture, toys and outings. This, combined with appropriate supervision minimises any potential risks to children. Children's play opportunities are enhanced by the effective organisation of space and resources. Colourful displays of the children's work on the walls of the play room helps to create a welcoming environment and promotes children's self-esteem.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relations with parents and actively encourages the ongoing two-way flow of relevant information about individual children. Daily verbal feedback and access to children’s individual development files keep parents informed about their child’s progress. In addition, parents are asked to read all policies, including complaints. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder, describing how they feel, 'children thrive in her care' and her 'genuine affection for the children', as a key strength of the provision. Many parents have used the childminder over a number of years, further testament to the high standard of care provided. In addition, the childminder has formed close working relationships with the local nursery in the area, ensuring the efficient exchange of relevant information about individual children. Although no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities currently attend the setting, the childminder

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the early years provision

demonstrates a positive attitude to working with parents and adapting space and resources to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of keeping her knowledge up to date and has completed a number of shorter training courses, including behaviour management, an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and 'sing and sign'. The informed completion of her self-evaluation form combined with regular verbal feedback from parents and children, ensures the childminder continues to evaluate the quality of her provision, identifying her key strengths and areas for improvement. Recommendations from the previous report have been addressed; the childminder has improved the way documents are organised and has obtained relevant consents as well as developing the resources that reflect positive images of gender, culture and disability.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a varied range of enjoyable and challenging experiences based on the daily needs and interests of the children in her care. These are complemented with flexible planning which includes trips to places of interest, such as farms, parks and museums, along with regular visits to toddler groups. These provide children with good opportunities to socialise with their peers as well as regular physical exercise. She works closely with parents to collect relevant information about what children can do and enjoy before they start, to help her establish clear starting points for each area of learning. Ongoing progress is then monitored through a system of observational assessments which are well supported by photographic evidence. Whilst the childminder then uses these observations to identify children's next step, this information is not linked to the specific areas of learning. Fully involved in the children’s activities, the childminder

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and outcomes for children

is highly skilled at recognising and maximising learning opportunities, ensuring all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children make good progress within the EYFS.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly love spending time at the childminder's home. They talk enthusiastically about the pictures they are painting, successfully identifying all the different colours they are using. Clear, confident communicators, children will ask for support if required, for example, asking the childminder to open the bottles of paint. Whilst the childminder is always more than happy to help the children, she is adept at encouraging them to try things for themselves, as well as encouraging independence and self-confidence. For example, she opens the paint for the child, but encourages them to pour the required amount onto the plate. The childminder builds upon the children's interests to encourage number and colour recognition, using favourite activities to support this learning, the childminder giving praise as they successfully identify the colour of the glitter and the paint. Children have good opportunities to be creative, for example, painting, card making and messy play.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy exploring different textures, such as painting their hands and talking about how it feels. A good range of books, along with visits to the library and Seven Stories promotes children's interest in the written word. Their communication skills are fostered well as the childminder chats to them constantly; this results in positive interactions between the children and the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a wide range of toys, which fires their imaginations. For example, they play happily with small world figures, using the construction blocks to build and dressing up clothes. The childminder chats easily to the children about what they are doing and what will happen next, supporting their developing language skills well. Outdoor play is also a central feature of their day. They thoroughly enjoy their walks along the Derwent walk, playing in the local park and playing in the garden. This combined with regular trips and access to bikes and large climbing equipment at toddler groups, ensures children develop their gross motor skills whilst learning that exercise can be great fun. The childminder works closely with parents to encourage a healthy attitude to food. Parents provide nutritious, well-balanced packed lunches and this, combined with the childminder's provision of some additional healthy snacks and drinks, ensures children maintain

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and outcomes for children

a healthy diet. She also encourages children to develop a good awareness of how to stay safe through adherence to effective road safety procedures, and the regular undertaking of fire drills. 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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