Seymour, Rachael Simone

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY394365 Inspection date 21/01/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2009. She lives with her husband and their two children aged two and ten years in the residential area of Hebburn in South Tyneside. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children, of whom one is in the early years age range. This provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 offers a welcoming and inclusive environment to all children and their families. She demonstrates a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and children make good progress. The childminder works in partnership with parents and gives them detailed information about the service she provides. Ongoing effective communication also helps to keep them fully informed of the care and developmental needs of their children. The childminder uses ongoing reflection of her practice to identify strengths and 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?

 develop the recording of risk assessment further by adding all relevant details, such as the date completed and review date.

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the early years provision

Clearly written policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. This is reflected in her understanding regarding recognising possible signs and symptoms and the procedures she would follow should she have a child protection concern. She has carried out risk assessments of her home, garden and all outings taken with the children, however, some of the required details are omitted. All required documentation is in place to promote good quality care. Individual records are informative, ensuring that the needs of all children are effectively met and inclusive care is promoted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is well organised. She uses the available space within her home to encourage the children to become independent learners. There is a good range of

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the early years provision

well presented, quality resources which are available for the children to self-select. Storage is effectively labelled to enable children to access resources and to tidy them away when they have finished with them. This enabling environment encourages children to become independent learners. The childminder values each child as an individual and this is evident through her knowledge and planning for each child ensuring their progress is good. Children's understanding of differences is suitably promoted through toys, resources and outings that enable them to develop an awareness of their local community and diversity in the wider world.

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the early years provision

Fully understanding the benefits of working closely with parents, the childminder provides them with a wealth of information about her service, including full copies of her comprehensive written policies. She also completes a daily diary for each of the children, detailing their care routines and the activities they have taken part in. All children have an individual development file which is filled with narrative observations and photographs and shared regularly with parents. Parents have written in support of the childminder and show how much they value the care and learning opportunities she gives to their children. The childminder is aware of the importance of forging links with other providers who also care for minded children. The childminder has a good commitment to improving her own knowledge and expertise. Her professional development is shown by the courses she has attended which include inclusive childminding, families and parenting course, first aid, giving

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the early years provision

and receiving feedback. She is also working towards a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 and has identified further courses for the future. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of her current strengths and areas requiring further development and actively seeks support and advice to build on her existing knowledge and continue to improve the quality of the provision for the children attending.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's detailed knowledge of their individual needs. They settle quickly and have a warm, secure relationship with the childminder and play well alongside her own children. This secure relationship builds children's confidence in order for them to try out new activities and experiences. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child to offer planned, purposeful play both indoors and outdoors. These are based firmly on what she knows interests the children and builds on what they already know and can do. Systems are in place to observe and assess the children as they play. Many of these are supported by photographs, are linked to the areas of learning, include what to share with parents and what the next steps are for each child. This information is then used by the childminder to plan future activities and experiences for each child's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are constantly stimulated due to the childminder’s active engagement with them as they play. Her effective organisation of daily routines ensures that they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 access a wide variety of activities each day which help promote all areas of their learning and development. The children investigate things repeatedly, such as reaching out for objects hanging from the baby gym, beginning to work out that one action has an effect on others. The childminder effectively supports their language development through her ongoing interaction. She sits with the baby to read a book and encourages interaction by looking in the mirror and singing rhymes to support the baby's communication skills while developing positive relationships. She responds sensitively to young children’s swiftly changing needs, providing meals when they show signs of hunger and offering comfort when they

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and outcomes for children

suddenly show signs of tiredness. They therefore develop a strong sense of security and belonging in her care and are happy and settled.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel safe and secure in the childminder's home and benefit from the steps she has taken to identify and remove hazards within the home. Daily routines are used well to ensure that children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise, including the daily walk to school and regular walks around the local environment and visits to the park. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. When tired, children snuggle in for cuddles before settling to sleep with their cosy blankets. The childminder supports children's understanding of keeping themselves safe through regular practices of the fire drill and by discussing road safety. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating through the provision of healthy, balanced home-cooked meals and a wide selection of fresh fruits at snack times. Children are cared for in a safe and secure setting. The childminder monitors the condition of the toys and environment on an ongoing

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and outcomes for children

basis to ensure that they remain safe and suitable for their use and provides high levels of supervision. 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 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 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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