Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY284674 Inspection date 16/11/2009 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 May 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 16 and nine years, in Ovingham, Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. An upstairs bathroom is available. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. The family has one dog and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two of whom are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are protected and feel safe and secure as they play in this warm, welcoming home environment. The childminder provides an inclusive service where children are treated as individuals and their welfare needs are met. She has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how children actively learn through play, both indoors and outside. Most requirements are met. Positive relationships with parents ensure continuity of care is maintained. All records are regularly reviewed and maintained. Systems to monitor the provision, and children’s development are in the early stages of development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain a suitable current paediatric first aid certificate (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register). 04/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities in order to plan for the individual child  develop further procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and secure. They play in a well organised family home where they are supervised and supported by the childminder. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and has a suitable understanding of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. She has completed a risk assessment of her home and for outings children regularly undertake. Daily safety checks are completed to ensure children’s safety at all times and suitable safety equipment is in place. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate; although arrangement are in place to complete this training, this is a breach of the legal requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a child-friendly environment with a good range of accessible toys. Children have ample space to move and play freely throughout the ground floor of the childminder’s home. Regular weekly routines ensure that children have opportunities to play and learn both indoors and outside at various venues. Children’s understanding of the diversity of the world is met through looking at books, and discussions appropriate to their level of understanding. Children are confident, happy and self-assured as they play. The childminder knows the children well. She clearly describes their unique abilities, interests and development they have achieved. She provides resources and activities which support their learning and individual interest. The childminder has developed a range of policies that are shared with parents and she has obtained all necessary consents. The childminder currently has no children attending who have special

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the early years provision

educational needs and/or disabilities, however, she demonstrates a positive attitude towards gathering information from parents to ensure that all children are included at the setting.

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the early years provision

Suitable procedures are in place to work with parents. The childminder discusses with them how she works prior to their child starting and keeps them informed about their child's care through various methods, such as a daily dairy and verbal feedback. She gathers relevant information in order to meet children's welfare needs, for example, diet and medical needs. Parents written references are positive and complimentary and express their satisfaction for the childminder and the service she provides. There are currently no children attending other settings, however, the childminder understands the benefits towards sharing information about children's progress with other providers of the EYFS. The childminder is keen to improve her provision. However, procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice are not fully effective in helping her to identify areas for development to ensure continual improvement. She has completed the recommendations made at

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the early years provision

her last inspection and regularly attends additional training for her own personal development. For example, she has recently completed the Diploma in Home-base Childminding and a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Childcare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and contented. They approach the childminder with ease and confidently move around the space, making choices about their learning and play. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the EYFS, which results in most areas of learning being appropriately covered. She is beginning to introduce individual files for each child which make some links to the areas of learning. However, it is not clear how these are used to identify the next steps in children's development or how this is used to inform future planning. Nevertheless, children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Children are provided with age appropriate toys and play equipment that support their individual interests. They enjoy playing with the farm animals, attempting to create the sound the animals make. The childminder is on hand to support and extend children's play when required. For example, she introduces numbers as she

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and outcomes for children

encourages the children to count the farm animals. Consequently, children are making appropriate progress in their learning and development. Children show an awareness of shape and problem solving as they complete jigsaws and work out how to place the animals into the small farm enclosures.

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and outcomes for children

A variety of arts and crafts activities promotes children's creative development along with improving fine motor skills. For example, they enjoy cutting and sticking, painting and mark making. Children benefit from a weekly routine of outdoor activities and visits into the community. They go for walks to local shops looking at the environment and getting to know their local community. The childminder encourages children to socialise with other children at drop in groups and visits to other childminders. Children also enjoy their weekly singing and dancing sessions. The children have good opportunities to be physical. They go on regular walks and play in the garden on the trampoline, wheeled toys and rockers.

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and outcomes for children

Age-appropriate techniques, such as discussion and distraction, along with clear and consistent boundaries, are used to good effect to promote children's positive behaviour. Children are safeguarded in the home as the childminder maintains close supervision of them at all times. Children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, on outings the childminder reinforces the rules for crossing roads and 'stranger danger'. Children also complete the fire evacuation procedure regularly so that they understand what to do in an emergency. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. Children are learning good personal hygiene through consistent routines and effective procedures. Children do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing healthy meals and provides healthy

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and outcomes for children

snacks of fresh fruit to complement meals. However, some meals for the children are provided by parents. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 04/11/2009

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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 early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 04/12/2009

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