Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305793 Inspection date 30/11/2009 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her adult daughter, son and daughter-in-law, in the Fairfield area of Stockton-on-Tees. The house is situated within easy distance of local amenities, including schools. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom, toilet and one bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year. The family has two pet cats.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends several toddler groups and takes and collects children from local schools.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a friendly environment for children. Adequate procedures are in place to gather sufficient information about their individual needs from parents. The childminder has many years of experience and provides a suitable range of activities for children which cover most of the areas of learning. Systems for observations and assessments are being developed. However, parents are not fully involved in this process. Systems for self-evaluation are currently not sufficiently robust to promote reflective practice and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children. The childminder has not kept up to date with all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has breached some of the specific legal requirements relating to safeguarding children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure Ofsted is notified of any change of the persons aged 16 years or older living on the childminding premises (Suitability of adults) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 08/12/2009

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further?

 obtain an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure in respect of every person aged 16 years or 08/12/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 over who lives on the premises on which the childcare is provided (Suitable people) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register).

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure all observations are clearly linked to areas of learning, identify next steps for development and clearly track children's progress towards the early learning goals  ensure effective continuity and progression in children's learning by sharing relevant information with parents and carers  further develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self- evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to persons living within her household and, therefore, appropriate checks have not been completed. This is a specific legal requirement within the EYFS. As a result, children's welfare is not fully safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child and has attended recent training to update her knowledge. Most documentation required to effectively safeguard children is in place, for example, written risk assessments minimise the likelihood of accidents inside and outside of the home. This is supported by effective procedures to keep children safe on outings. Consent to obtain emergency medical treatment is in place and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This ensures that she can respond appropriately to accidents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has satisfactorily addressed the recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, she has developed a system for recording the administration of medication and has an accurate record of children's attendance in place. This helps to promote outcomes for children. The childminder has some understanding of areas for improvement as a result of discussing practice with other childminders and attending relevant training. However, she has not developed effective procedures to further monitor and evaluate her provision to ensure continuous improvement. Satisfactory use is made of space and resources to promote care and learning. The childminder's home is welcoming to all, is clean and is maintained to good standards. Accessible, good quality toys help to promote children's independence. Although no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities currently attend the setting, the childminder demonstrates a

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the early years provision

positive attitude to working with parents and taking steps where appropriate to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are sufficient to promote children's care. Positive relationships are in place. Regular verbal exchanges of information provide them with adequate information about most aspects of their care; however, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information about how children are progressing in their learning and development is more limited and parents are not fully involved in contributing to the learning and development records in the daily diary. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnerships with others to meet the needs of individual children when this is appropriate.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and have made close attachments with her. The childminder is warm and caring and sensitive to individual needs. This helps children to develop a good sense of security and belonging. The childminder has an adequate understanding of the EYFS, which results in the areas of learning being suitably well covered. Diaries are in place for the children which document what activities the children have been involved in. The childminder has introduced some observations to the diaries and these are in their infancy. However, they are not linked to the areas of learning and do not consistently record children's next steps in development. This means it is not clear how they are used to inform future planning and record children's progression towards the early learning goals. Nevertheless, children are making appropriate progress in their learning and development. They benefit from a suitably balanced

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and outcomes for children

range of adult-led and child-initiated activities, which are delivered through indoor and outdoor play.

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and outcomes for children

Children show interest in all that is happening and are active learners. They are able to express themselves freely and creatively through access to suitable range of resources including art and craft, paint, glue and crayons. They have fun making collage snowmen, Christmas trees and 'reindeer dust' in preparation for the festive season. Activities are undertaken to help children's development; for example, children are developing communication, language and literacy skills as they look at books, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. The childminder encourages the use of numbers through general activities throughout the day, such as counting the jigsaw pieces as they put the pieces together, and children can count up to 10. Children explore simple mathematical concepts as they begin to sort toys into colours and weigh and measure the ingredients during baking activities. Attendance at toddler groups also helps the children to develop their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

They are beginning to engage in early role play, enthusiastically playing with the doctors set and pretending to feed the doll with the bottle. Children take part in planned activities which help them to learn about the wider world. For example, they have food-tasting activities, explore maps of Africa and access a range of resources which promote positive images of diversity. Children benefit from regular opportunities to be physical, mostly in the fresh air; for example, they play in the garden and go to the park and to local Sure Start groups. Trips out to the shops and cafes provide opportunities to help children learn about their local community. A suitable range of play telephones and programmable toys and some access to the computer help to support children to develop their skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to adopt good hygiene practices and even the youngest children know to wash their hands after toileting. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understands the importance of supporting children to learn the importance of healthy eating. Parents provide meals; however, the childminder provides snacks of fresh fruit. Children also help to prepare healthy sandwiches at the local Sure Start group. They do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness and supports children's good health. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe. They move around the home confidently and safely, participate in regular emergency evacuation practices and discuss road safety with the childminder when outdoors, but significant weaknesses in safeguarding impact on how safe children actually are. Age-

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and outcomes for children

appropriate techniques are in place to help children to begin to learn right from wrong. This is supported by praise and encouragement to help promote children's self-esteem. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 22/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Providing information to Ofsted) 08/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 08/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 22/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Providing information to Ofsted) 08/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 08/12/2009

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