Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY377495 Inspection date 07/01/2010 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since July 2008 and has been minding since October 2009. She lives in the Fairfield area of Stockton-on-Tees with her husband and their two-year-old daughter. The childminder's mother is in the process of registering to be an assistant childminder, to work with her daughter.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The home is close to local amenities, such as shops, schools, play park and social groups. Minded children have the use of the whole ground floor of the house plus two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a rabbit, which minded children have supervised access to.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children under eight years at any one time and is also on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll aged between one and six years, all are cared for on a part-time basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents ensures that children are making good progress in their individual learning and development. Children are well safeguarded, some good steps have been taken to promote safety and their overall health is effectively promoted. A very warm, welcoming and inclusive environment is provided and children have easy access to a varied range of interesting and stimulating activities which support their individual needs. The childminder has an excellent attitude towards personal development. An effective system of self- evaluation has been implemented and the childminder demonstrates the capacity for continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure that low-level glass in the lounge doors does not pose a hazard to children  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

p.4

the early years provision

Effective procedures are in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and that adults having access to them are appropriately vetted. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and of how to put This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local procedures into practice.

p.4

the early years provision

Varied risk assessments are undertaken and reviewed to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environment are safe and secure for children. However, the childminder is unsure as to whether glass in the lounge doors are of toughened or safety standard. Safety procedures are in place for outings, for the use of the family vehicle to transport children and for evacuation of the premises. Various safety equipment is in place, such as safety gates, cupboard locks and smoke detectors, however, an evacuation drill has not yet been carried out.

p.5

the early years provision

Deployment of resources is excellent. Children have easy access to a wide range of stimulating and age-appropriate toys and activities, which are in very good condition and are attractively presented. The rear garden is kept safe and fully secure and there is a varied range of outdoor physical play equipment also available.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has an extremely positive attitude towards personal development and has attended many additional training course since registration, including the six areas of learning, children’s rights, a unique child, health and safety, handling of medicines, oral healthcare and behaviour approaches. She has a positive attitude towards driving improvement and has started to implement a process of self-evaluation. Parents' views about the provision are actively sought and future plans include formal questionnaires for parents and the implementation of a quality assurance framework.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs and has extensive experience of caring for adults with learning difficulties. Comprehensive inclusion and special educational needs procedures are in place and the childminder obtains written details relating to ‘children’s individual needs’, including their preferences, when they first start to attend, and this is used as a basis for their individual care. The childminder is beginning to form links with the primary school that two of the minded children attend.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. They are kept well informed about their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Observation and development records are available for children and will be shared periodically with parents. A parent who was present at the time of the inspection expressed very positive comments about the provision and the care her child receives. All records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available and up to date, including a wide range of policy and procedure documents, which parents have good access to.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder observes and records children’s development well and this shows that they are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Children enjoy their play and learning and present themselves as being happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder supports children’s learning very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well. They receive lots of good quality attention and their independence is very well promoted as they make decisions and help with routines, such as tidying away and preparing lunch.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are given lots of choices about what they want to play with and places they would like to visit. Older children plan their own meals for the following week, they learn about healthy living and are supported to make healthy choices. The menu shows that children receive varied and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks, and the childminder has comprehensive written information available relating to the common dietary customs of different cultures. Children are helped to understand the benefits of physical activity through discussions and they have regular opportunities for physical activity both indoors and outdoors.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are helped to learn about safety through discussions and routines, for example, they explain how to close the safety gate and that this is to be kept closed. Children also learn about road safety and about safe procedures for getting in and out of the family car.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The spread of inspection is very well managed as the home is extremely clean and hygienic. Children participate in good hygiene routines and begin to understand that ‘cleaning kills germs’. The childminder also implements the ‘safer food, better business’ framework and good procedures are in place for illness and accidents to help safeguard children's overall health.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The indoor and outdoor environment is extremely attractive and welcoming for children. They can independently access a wide range of stimulating and age- appropriate resources, which promotes their independence. Children have a very positive attitude towards learning and happily participate well in lots of different activities. They are well-behaved and behaviour is effectively and calmly managed by the childminder, who has a very calm and gentle manner.

p.6

and outcomes for children

With the childminder's support children form relationships and friendships with each other. They have opportunities for mark-making using different media, such as aqua and felt pens. Children enjoy a varied range of books, including some that positively reflect other cultural backgrounds and disability and some that include stickers and push-out figures. Children spontaneously sing nursery rhymes and dance to music and to their own singing. They participate well in role play activities and play experiences are extended through the children's imagination.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children participate in constructing different floor puzzles and have access to various electronic and programmable toys. They are encouraged to develop counting skills and learn colours and simple shapes. Themes of learning are planned by the childminder and future themes include children learning about other cultural beliefs and celebrations, as they appear in the calendar. All play experiences are suited to children's individual learning needs, for example, the childminder ensures that lots of activities for babies to 'stand at' are readily available to promote their balancing skills before they progress onto walking. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8