Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346481 Inspection date 04/02/2010 Inspector Andrea, Jane Lockyer

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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 in the Peterlee area of County Durham. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes. Access to the first floor is restricted to the use of the bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age range. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities from the local authority.

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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 are cared for in a stimulating, caring and inclusive environment where their individuality is respected and valued. Effective relationships with parents ensure that the childminder is fully aware of children's individual needs which she meets very well. Parents are not yet fully involved in their children's observation and assessment process. Links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are beginning to be established. She has a good understanding of the EYFS and how to implement it effectively to ensure children make good progress in all areas of learning. Children access a wide range of resources to stimulate their interest in learning but there are limited resources to raise their awareness of diversity. The childminder is committed to improving her practice and she evaluates her provision effectively to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the range of resources to increase children's awareness of diversity  invite parents to contribute to their children's development files, enabling them to be involved in their children's observation and assessment process  develop effective links with the local nursery that children attend to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because effective safety procedures and risk assessments are implemented by the childminder, both indoors and outdoors. A well organised, safe and secure environment ensures children are able to explore their environment freely and safely. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the procedures to follow to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Effective health and hygiene procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from illness and the spread of infection.

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the early years provision

Premises are made warm and welcoming to both children and parents. All children have easy access to a wide range of well maintained toys and resources promoting their independence and choice. Children are able to move freely between the lounge and diner/kitchen selecting the activities they wish to play with.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice sufficiently well, resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. Sensitive discussions about differences as they look at books or play with dolls, help children to value and respect the diverse range of people within society. The childminder has made improvements in this area by purchasing, some books and dolls that depict positive images of culture, disabilities and gender. However, resources are limited to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents have a positive impact on children’s overall well-being. Good written and verbal communication ensures parents are kept very well informed of all aspects of the childminding practice and the care, welfare and progress of their children. Parents are provided with a comprehensive information package which includes copies of a wide range of detailed policies and procedures. Children's development files are shared with parents and they are able to view these when they want to. However, they have not been invited to contribute to their children's files or be involved in the observation and assessment process. Links with other providers delivering the EYFS that children have just started to attend are not yet effectively established to fully support children's continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving her practice. She uses good systems to enable her to reflect on her provision effectively and has clear targets for future improvement. For example, increasing the range of resources to raise children's awareness of diversity, providing questionnaires for parents and completing a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development. She constantly researches different media to gain information about a variety of childcare issues and provide children with interesting activities. All recommendations from the previous inspection have been met successfully. For example, children's safety has been improved because the childminder now has written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. She has attended a child protection course, and children are involved in fire drills. A written complaints procedure ensures that parents are now fully aware of how to make a

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and have sensitive, caring and affectionate relationships with her which enables children to develop a good sense of security and trust. Children instinctively go to her for help or for a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cuddle when they are feeling tired.

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and outcomes for children

All children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a good understanding of how to effectively implement the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that activities cover all areas of learning, are well matched to children's interests and abilities and provide good levels of challenge. Effective systems are used to observe and assess individual children's progress, which are used to plan the steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children make decisions about their play and learning and access a wide range of activities and learning experiences both in and out of the home, resulting in all children being motivated and interested to learn. Communication, language, problem solving and numeracy are woven through all activities. For example, as they build together with bricks the childminder asks open-ended questions, encouraging them to think and to work out how to balance the bricks to make a tower or how to make a bench, at the same time, encouraging them to count, recognise and match the different colours and shapes of the bricks. She engages children in conversation all the time and they happily talk about things that interest them, such as their favourite character 'Peppa Pig'. Young children are becoming very articulate and confident communicators as they ask for what they want and express their own ideas. For example, as they clearly communicate they want to

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and outcomes for children

build a house for 'Peppa Pig' and a bench for them all to sit on. The childminder skilfully extends children's vocabulary by introducing new words, such as 'slither', as she describes how a snake moves. Children enjoy books, stories and singing songs, which are used well to support their early language and communication skills. Early pre-writing skills are fostered very well as children use pencils to draw. They carefully draw round the childminder's hand, which increases their pencil control and hand-eye co-ordination. They are clearly pleased with their achievements and receive lots of praise from the childminder, boosting their self- esteem and confidence. Children express their creativity as they use a wide variety of natural and man-made media to paint, stick, draw, construct, and play musical instruments. They particularly enjoy making collages from leaves they have collected and making models of dinosaurs. Good opportunities are made for

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and outcomes for children

children to extend their imagination as they act out familiar role play scenarios, using dolls, domestic equipment and small world figures. Children have very good opportunities to learn about their own community, the wider world and socialise with others. They visit places of interest, such as the headland, library, local parks and Sure Start centres. They learn about the natural environment as they go on nature walks, examining insects, leaves and other natural materials. They love to watch the squirrels in the local park.

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and outcomes for children

All children are developing good levels of understanding of how to keep themselves safe and a healthy lifestyle. They learn how to cross roads safely, carry out fire drills and have discussions about the dangers of strangers. Gentle reminders from the childminder throughout the day help children to learn to negotiate steps and stairs safely and use large outdoor play equipment in a safe manner. Children follow good, consistent hygiene practices. They learn the importance of washing their hands and use their own towels. They help to clean toys and have access to tissues throughout the day. The childminder encourages children to enjoy being active and learn about a healthy diet. They help to prepare This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 snacks and make choices from the wide range of healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. Trips to local shops to buy fresh produce for their

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and outcomes for children

meals and snacks further develop children's understanding of the benefits of fresh foods. All children have good daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. They play various games in the garden with a wide range of resources, go on daily walks, dance to music and move their bodies like different animals. They particularly enjoy playing in the snow and planting wild flowers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour. She implements a range of good strategies to promote positive behaviour that help children understand right from wrong, and gives lots of praise and encouragement to ensure that children feel good about themselves. Children respond positively to the childminder's sensitive and calm approach and behave very well. 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 3 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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