Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330209 Inspection date 30/11/2009 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Bedlington, Northumberland with her husband and adult son. Some of the ground floor rooms are used for childminding, which includes a downstairs bathroom. There is an enclosed yard for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of six children. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years old.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also holds a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare and the Diploma in Home- based Childcare.

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Description of the childminding

There is a pet dog, cat and goldfish on the premises.

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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 provides a welcoming, homely and fully inclusive environment, where children are very settled and happy, therefore they make good progress. She works effectively in partnership with parents to ensure that children’s individual needs are well met. All welfare requirements are met with only a few omissions regarding documentation. The capacity to improve is good as she is committed to developing her knowledge and career, although she does not yet use any form of self-assessment to reflect on and review her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand the outings risk assessments to include all outings that are carried out with the children  ensure that the medication documentation includes full details.

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the early years provision

All adults in the household have undertaken the necessary suitability checks. Good written risk assessments are in place, and the childminder carries out visual checks every morning before children arrive. However, some outings risk assessments are not in place for specific visits. Clear written policies are shown to parents and these cover all aspects of child care and welfare. The childminder uses all National This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Childminding Association documentation and most is completed well, although the medication consent and administration does not contain the required dose and parent’s countersignature. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder is well aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child’s welfare, and all emergency numbers are readily available. She has never had any complaints from parents but is aware of what to do in this instance. The childminder has a highly

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the early years provision

positive attitude to her own self-development, as she has attended an abundance of training and has successfully achieved further child care qualifications since her last inspection. Therefore, she is up-to-date with current childcare issues and is competent in her role. She has made good improvements to the recommendations from the last inspection, which has improved safety practices and resources for the children. She is aware of the Ofsted self-evaluation form available to her, although she has not yet used this. However, she has a positive attitude to improving her service and knows that the form can be used as a useful guide.

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the early years provision

She provides a safe home for children as she restricts access to certain areas and the pet dog. The children follow a pattern of child initiated and adult-led activities during the session, which is well organised and she ensures that children help to tidy away toys after use so that there is no clutter and they remain safe. There is an abundance of easily accessible, good quality toys which are fairly well organised, in good condition and age appropriate. She provides a fully inclusive service as she displays her welcome poster in different languages prominently. She has purchased some useful children’s factual and interactive books, displays an equalities poster and carries out activities that help children develop positive attitudes to differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder is helpful and flexible therefore she is a popular choice with parents. She finds out all she can about the children’s routines when they start and she completes written daily diaries which parents are encouraged to contribute to. This ensures that adults work together well to meet children’s individual needs. Positive letters from parents include comments such as, ‘my child is always happy to come here’, and ‘we are so happy that our child is cared for in a warm and friendly home, overall she is an excellent childminder and a lovely person.’ There are currently no children attending who receive care and education in more than one setting during the days of childminding. However, the childminder shows a satisfactory understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners to ensure continuity and coherence.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage, although is not as familiar with the information about knowledge and understanding of the world. Her planning is flexible to suit the developmental needs and interests of the children, and she takes account of parents' wishes. She provides a good flow of different activities and outings that engage children in meaningful play. Therefore, children concentrate well on what they do and they make good progress. She records observations and captions about what children do, takes photographs and moves This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children on to the next steps in their development, as she identifies these through her observations. She also uses stickers in the children’s files, which represent the six areas of learning, so that she identifies any gaps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has lovely relationships with the children, they have strong bonds with her and natural warm interaction is apparent. They approach her easily and receive lots of kisses and cuddles so that they feel secure and cherished. They enjoy their play as they participate in action songs and rhymes, they use gestures to communicate and the childminder encourages children’s language and literacy well by asking simple questions, talking, singing and reading to them. Children learn by being actively involved in a varied range of activities. For example, they use pencils and pens with good control as they make marks on paper, they concentrate very well as they fix construction materials together carefully and the childminder helps them with jigsaws. Children successfully manage to find the correct shapes when the childminder uses prompts ,such as, ‘where’s the yellow tractor?’, and they successfully point their fingers on to each shape one by one in

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and outcomes for children

sequence as the childminder counts, which enhances their mathematical development very well. Children participate in a wide range of stimulating activities that cover all the areas of learning such as, physical play in the park, at soft play or at toddler groups. They go for walks in the woods, plant sunflower seeds and water them, paint, use play dough, make art and craft items, such as, flowers for mothers day and items for Divali.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel very safe and comfortable in the environment; they are very relaxed as a homely atmosphere is apparent. The childminder follows safe practices when they are out and about and provides close supervision indoors to ensure that the children are safe. Children have a clear sense of belonging and are happy and very settled. Their behaviour is good as they are fully occupied and they make choices about what they want to do. They show interest in electronic toys and make them work with the childminder’s help. Therefore, children make a positive contribution and are effectively supported to develop future skills. Children’s health and well- being is well promoted as they are helped to wash their hands before snack and enjoy their substantial food such as fresh fruit and cheese for snack. A healthy menu is in place and they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise, which contributes well to a healthy life style.

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and outcomes for children

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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