Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 507077 Inspection date 17/03/2010 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 1999. She lives in Amble, Northumberland with her husband and their three adult children. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children on roll who attend a variety of sessions, three of whom, are in the early years age range. The childminder drops children off and collects them from two nearby first schools, The Links and St. Cuthbert's.

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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

The children are cared for by a practitioner who ensures they feel safe, happy and settled in her care. She promotes many areas of children's welfare very well, however, some documentation that contributes to the effective running of the setting and fully safeguards the children is not in place. The childminder ensures children are fully included in the setting and values them all as individuals with unique abilities. Her confidence in how to fully promote the learning and development requirements is limited, however, overall she ensures that children are supported well and consistently extends their learning to help them make progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a record of the risk assessment is completed which identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and details when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 31/03/2010

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further?

 ensure that prior written permission is obtained from parents for each and every medicine before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 24/03/2010

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further?

 ensure sensitive observational assessment is undertaken in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs (Organisation) 14/04/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop records of learning and development and ensure parents have regular opportunities to add to these records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of how to promote safeguarding. She attends child protection courses on a regular basis to up-date and expand her knowledge in this area. She is proactive in refreshing her understanding of child protection issues by periodically studying checklists that she has received from the courses she attends. Space in the premises is well organised. The childminder places a high emphasis on safety in the premises. A daily check of the areas children use, and appropriate safety equipment is in place which ensures children are free from harm; however, a record of the written risk assessment is not in place. This means a requirement has not been fully met.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to develop a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, however, she is less confident and knowledgeable about the different areas of learning. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice by looking at how she can achieve better outcomes for the children attending. She shows a clear understanding of her strengths and areas of her practice she wishes to improve which accurately reflect her provision. The childminder implements successful strategies to ensure recommendations from previous inspections further enhance her practice and contribute towards maintaining the children's welfare. She has completed a relevant qualification in childcare, which has further benefited her childminding practice. All children are fully included in the setting. The childminder divides her time successfully to ensure she can fully meet all of the children's needs. She provides a good role model to help children develop positive

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the early years provision

attitudes towards others and to treat each other with respect.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed successful systems to work in partnership with parents that are effective. She both provides, and collects, good quality information on a daily basis about the children to ensure that parents are well informed. This means the childminder can successfully meet each child’s individual needs. Parent’s views and contributions are valued by the childminder. She asks them on a regular basis if they have any suggestions or concerns that they would like to share with her and respects their wishes. Although the childminder does not care for any children who attend other settings at present, she has considered how she will work in partnership with others when children move on to nursery or playgroups.

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and outcomes for children

The children are settled, happy and confident in the childminder’s care. She uses her time well to successfully respond to each child’s needs and their individual routines. She knows the children she cares for very well which means she provides interesting and varied experiences for them. The childminder provides children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with good support for their learning which also takes account of their individual needs. For example, she asks children who are independent if they want to complete tasks for themselves, while remaining close by and reassuring them that she will help if they need her. While the childminder does encourage children to make progress by counting and identifying colours in fun, practical situations, for example, as they look at numbers and colours of the doors when they are in the local community, she lacks confidence in her knowledge of the different areas of

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and outcomes for children

learning. This means it is unclear if children receive a broad range of experiences to help them securely develop in all areas. Regular observations of what children can do are not yet in place. This means there is not a clear picture of how children are making progress in their time with the childminder and that a requirement has not been fully met. The children have opportunities which help them begin to gain an understanding of diversity. They enjoy sampling foods from around the world and visit the library to obtain books reflecting different cultures. The childminder successfully encourages children to extend their learning through appropriate questions. They talk about big and small things that they notice in their environment and the childminder helps them begin to link sounds and letters together.

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and outcomes for children

The children benefit from successfully learning about a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides ample opportunities to be outdoors and benefit from fresh air, as they take the family dog for a walk and visit attractions in the local community. She ensures that she allows extra time if children want to walk rather than riding in the buggy. Successful consistent procedures ensure that cross- infection is minimised and children’s good health is effectively protected. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. She can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. The children are learning the importance and value of personal hygiene. The childminder talks about why it is important that they wash their hands and how they will 'get rid of the germs'. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, are in

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and outcomes for children

place and up-to-date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. The childminder uses a blanket consent for all medicines, from parents to administer these to children, however, medication consents are not gained for each and every medicine before it is administered. This means a requirement has not been fully met.

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and outcomes for children

The children are constantly reminded how to stay safe in their environment. The childminder provides sensitive and appropriate explanations for children. She encourages children to think about the consequences of any behaviour that could cause them harm as she asks them about what they think could happen. She reinforces the rules they must abide by before going outside which provides children with clear and consistent boundaries. The childminder provides an exceptionally good role model for the children. She follows a written behaviour policy and remains extremely calm and consistent as she deals with behaviour issues. This results in children listening to the childminder and behaving well in the setting. Clear explanations of what is happening next helps children to understand the routine of the day and what is expected of them. 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 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 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 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

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse of neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 31/03/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 develop a written statement of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relates to the requirements of the Childcare register (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 31/03/2010

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare register 31/03/2010

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