Childminder in DarlingtonOfsted inspection, 3 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 502377 Inspection date 03/02/2010 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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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 July 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 13-years-old in a house in the west end of Darlington. The whole of the ground floor, and two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding 14 children, of whom five are in the early years age group. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nursery. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 5.30pm term time only. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the Darlington Childminding Network Group, and her local childminding group.

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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

Children benefit from the warm, homely environment where everyone is welcomed and included. The childminder ensures the children are offered a stimulating and safe environment. However, written risk assessments are not maintained for all outings. Children's learning and development is successfully promoted by the caring childminder who provides them with plenty of worthwhile activities and experiences. The childminder works exceptionally well in partnership with parents and carers and other providers. The childminder shows a commitment to improving her provision as she evaluates different aspects of her childminding, and regularly encourages feedback from parents and older children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities  extend the information recorded in the risk assessment to include outings.

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the early years provision

All required records, policies and procedures, and all consents are obtained from parents to effectively meet individual children's needs. These are shared appropriately with parents and are implemented effectively to promote children's welfare. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she is aware of the importance of recording concerns and reporting these to the appropriate agencies. Children are further protected as the childminder takes positive steps to ensure that all adults living in the home who may have regular contact with children are suitably vetted therefore giving reassurance to parents. Records of accidents and administration of medication are maintained and parents sign to acknowledge entries, procedures are in place in the event of any emergency, which further helps to safeguard children. Good risk assessments are

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the early years provision

carried out and actions are taken to minimise or eliminate risks both indoors and in the garden. A general risk assessment for outings is in place. However, individual risk assessments for each type of outing have not been carried out.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's monitoring of her provision. She encourages parents' feedback through discussions and the completing of questionnaires. She has completed a self-evaluation form which includes positive comments from parents and older children. Some areas for development have been identified, such as accessing further training. Recommendations from the last inspection have been satisfactorily addressed as a detailed complaints procedure is now in place and medication records are countersigned by parents. Children enjoy spending their day in a well organised, bright and well decorated home. The children freely access the dedicated toy room, selecting their favourites from the good range of well organised toys, activities and equipment suitable for their individual needs.

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the early years provision

Well established, close partnerships with parents ensures the needs of each child are met exceptionally well, this contributes significantly to the well-being of the children in the childminder's care. Parents have access to comprehensive information about the setting, including policies and procedures, and are kept well informed through daily diaries for younger children, displayed information and daily discussions. They are actively involved in their child's learning and have full access to development records and learning journals. Parents are very happy with the care given to their children. Positive comments include: excellent care; professional and organised; supportive and flexible and extremely caring. The childminder works well with other providers, such as school and nursery, to ensure continuity in children's learning and ensuring they are getting the support they require.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident in the setting as they have developed warm relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. They are familiar with the environment and the daily routine. This enables them to feel at home and part of the group. Constant praise and encouragement from the childminder for children's achievements promotes and builds on their self-esteem and confidence. This is reflected in their behaviour which is managed in a caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which she uses to ensure children experience a meaningful range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Each child has a file containing observation and assessment sheets with examples of the child’s artwork. The assessments are linked into the six areas of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

learning. The next step in each child’s learning journey is identified most times and although planning is flexible and adapted to different circumstances, children's next steps in their learning do not always link clearly into planning to ensure all areas of learning are covered.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and she responds spontaneously to their interests. For example, as the children get the tent out and pretend it is their 'holiday cottage'. They use their imagination as they take the babies to the shops and change their nappy. Photographic evidence shows children absorbed in their play. For example, playing in the paddling pool, looking for mini beasts in the garden, feeding the animals at the farm visit, dressing up and using a variety of creative materials. Children's senses are developed well as they smell and taste the ingredients, such as vanilla pods when baking cakes, coffee beans and sampling the garlic and strawberries that they have grown. Textures are also introduced into children's play as they use different materials to paint, explore the objects in the treasure baskets, and they cut and stick felt shapes and make pictures with

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and outcomes for children

shredded colourful paper. The childminder begins to develop children's awareness of colour, shape and numbers as she talks constantly about them while playing with the toys and activities. Children's language and communication skills are very well supported. For example, as they complete the jigsaws together with the childminder she encourages them to name the animals, and describe the sound they make, she introduces new words, such as, 'shark' and 'lobster' children repeat and copy the words excitedly. Children concentrate very well while completing a particularly difficult puzzle, this helps to promote and further develop children's problem solving skills. Children are also beginning to learn about different cultures and differences between people through daily activities, such as dressing up in traditional clothes, visiting different places of worship and tasting foods from around the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping healthy and staying safe as the childminder sets a very good example for them to follow and gives children clear and simple explanations, for example, they should wash their hands after using the toilet or wipe the table before eating. Children actively take part in emergency evacuation procedures so they learn to keep themselves safe and they talk about crossing the roads safely as they walk to school. They make healthy choices about what they eat. For example, children are given a choice of a selection of healthy options at snack times, such as bread sticks, dried or fresh fruit. 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 2 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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