Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358309 Inspection date 19/07/2010 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and five years. They live in the residential area of Seaham in County Durham. The whole of the childminder’s home, except the master bedroom, is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged 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 one child in this age group. When working with another childminder they are registered to care for a maximum of 10 children under eight years at any time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eleven years. There is currently one child aged between five to under eight

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Description of the childminding

years on roll, and one aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. She collects children from the local schools and nurseries and attends local toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 where children and parents are valued as individuals. She works very closely with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs. Children have access to a good range of activities and resources, and their progress towards the early learning goals is good. The childminder evaluates her practice very well and is able to effectively identify areas for further development, so as to promote continuous improvement. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained and organised.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that reference to the National Childminding Standards is removed from the complaints procedure  further develop records of risk assessments to reflect more fully the appraisals completed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of the safeguarding children from harm procedure and has completed relevant training. The recommended literature is in place for reference purposes. Security is very well maintained and children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very closely supervised. Procedures for the collection of children are strict. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained. Procedures relating to risk assessment are good. However, some risk assessment records do not fully reflect the details of appraisals carried out. Fire drills are completed and recorded. Appropriate safety equipment is provided. Policies and procedures to help keep children safe are in place and the childminder shows a good awareness of these. For example, those regarding an uncollected or lost child. Her understanding of the management of complaints is sound, and the policy

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the early years provision

is shared with parents. However, the policy document refers to the National Childminding Standards which is now obsolete. The quality of service, care and education provided is evaluated effectively, and areas for further development are identified very well and addressed accordingly, to support continuous improvement. The childminder is pro-active in seeking out relevant training, to further develop her knowledge and enhance her practice. She is currently working towards an Early Years Foundation Degree.

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the early years provision

The space available is used very well, and child-friendly storage systems provide children with easy access to a good variety of resources. Children have lots of opportunities to initiate their own play and are able to make choices and self-select activities. This helps nurture their decision-making and independence skills. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of diversity and equal opportunity. She presents herself as a positive role model to children, and uses discussion, resources and activities very well to help raise children's awareness of diversity as is age appropriate. Arrangements to support children who speak English as an additional language are good. The childminder is able to describe how she would work closely with parents and others as necessary to ensure children's needs are met. A small selection of books is available in different languages such as Polish and Arabic. Children with special educational needs

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the early years provision

and/or disabilities are very well supported. The childminder recognises the importance of liaising closely with parents and other professionals and agencies. She understands very well that activities may need to be adapted and additional resources obtained to support children with specific needs effectively. Good links are forged with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder talks to teaching staff on a regular basis to share pertinent information about individual children's learning and planned activities. This helps supports children's continuity of learning very well.

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the early years provision

Positive relationships are established with parents and ongoing channels of communication are very well maintained. Effective induction procedures ensure that relevant details about children's initial needs and abilities are obtained. Children are admitted gradually into the childminder’s care through a series of visits to her home. This allows all parties to get to know each other and children settle very well. This process helps the childminder to build a clear understanding of each child's initial starting points. Information about the service provided is shared with parents, including all policies and procedures. Parents are actively encouraged to keep the childminder up-to-date regarding any pertinent information that may impact upon the continued care of their child. Parents are kept very well-informed of day-to-day activities and their child's progress. This is achieved through the effective use of verbal feedback, photographs and access

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the early years provision

and input into their child's records. Parents are kept very well up-to-date about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their child’s favourite activities and current interests to enable them to support their child's learning at home by mirroring resources and activities. Books are available for parents to take home and share with their children. Feedback from parents is most positive, as reflected by the greetings cards and completed questionnaires from parents. They include comments such as, 'Children really love attending the childminder's' and 'the service is very flexible'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses it very well to inform her practice. She supports children's learning and development effectively. All children are able to take part in activities at their own level and pace and they make good progress. They benefit from a good range of adult-led activities, such as additional creative activities and construction play, story-time and gardening. This complements children's ability to initiate their own learning and play. Regular outings are scheduled, such as a visit to the fire station. Such outings provide children with additional opportunities to develop their awareness of the local community and the wider world, and to socialise with others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses open-ended questions and discussion very well to support and extend children's thinking and promote their learning effectively. In particular, everyday activities and play opportunities are used effectively to promote and reinforce children's language and literacy skills. For example, young children writing letters on a wall-mounted wipe-board book are actively encouraged to name the letters and the letter sounds. They respond eagerly and are their achievements are readily recognised and praised by the childminder. This positive acknowledgement helps nurture children's confidence and their self-esteem is good. Children's understanding of simple mathematical concepts, such as shape, size, colour, counting, sorting and matching, is very well promoted as appropriate to their stage of development. For example, when playing a game with the childminder, a young child confidently identified and matched pairs of items

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and outcomes for children

Very close, warm relationships are evident between the childminder and the children she cares for. Children initiate conversation most willingly and are very confident in their interactions with her. The childminder shows a real interested in what children say and do and is very responsive to children needs. Observation techniques are used effectively and information about each child is very well recorded. This enables the childminder to gain a very good understanding of each child's capabilities and current interests. Records indicate very well the next step to be taken to support each child’s learning, and appropriate goals are set to help children achieve. Age-appropriate behaviour management techniques are used effectively to manage children's behaviour in a calm and consistent manner, for example, distraction strategies with very young children and the recognition and praise of positive behaviour. The childminder gives simple explanations of

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and outcomes for children

boundaries and these are reinforced gently when necessary. Children are very well-behaved. The childminder helps raise children's awareness of safety matters This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very well. She does this through play activities and by talking to them about matters, such as stranger danger, the safe use of resources and staying close to her at all times. Children practise road safety and fire drills regularly. This helps keep children safe.

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and outcomes for children

Hygiene standards are very well maintained. Effective use is made of regular routines to help raise children's awareness of appropriate personal hygiene practices. The childminder has a good knowledge of relevant policies and procedures. She understands very well the action to be taken regarding a sick or injured child and the administration of medication. Children’s dietary needs are discussed with parents in detail and information is recorded. At present, parents provide packed meals for their children. The childminder provides snacks throughout the day and healthy eating is very well promoted. Children are offered plenty of fresh fruit and have access to fresh drinking water and other suitable drinks. The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet effectively through discussion and activities such as cookery and gardening. An active lifestyle is very well promoted and children have daily

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to play outdoors and take exercise. They have access to a very good selection of resources and equipment to promote and refine their physical development. Children go for frequent walks to local parks and green areas. This helps promote and preserve their well-being. 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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