Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305647 Inspection date 13/04/2010 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in the residential area of Biddick in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor, and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor of the childminder’s home 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 six children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. There is one child aged between five to under eight years and one child aged over eight years on roll. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year. She has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects children from the local schools

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Description of the childminding

and nurseries, and attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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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 provides an inclusive environment where children and parents are warmly welcomed, and are recognised and valued as individuals. Children make very good progress and have access to a varied range of resources. The childminder works most effectively with parents and forges good links with others to meet children's individual needs. Systems in place to evaluate the service provided, are good and enable the childminder to identify areas for further development very well, to support continuous improvement. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well organised and maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all parents fully complete the form consenting to their child's use of public transport  ensure that all completed risk assessment records are signed.

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the early years provision

A very good safeguarding policy is in place. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedure and the recommended literature is in place for reference. Security is very well maintained. Procedures for the collection of children are strict. Risk assessment procedures are good. The childminder takes positive steps to manage or eliminate risks. However, not all risk assessment records are signed. Appropriate safety equipment is provided. Fire drills are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed and recorded. The childminder has a very good understanding of related policies and procedures. She understands very well the action to be taken regarding an uncollected or lost child and management of a complaint. A good complaints policy is shared with parents. The childminder evaluates the quality of service, care and education effectively. Areas for further development are

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the early years provision

identified very well and tasked accordingly to support continuous improvement. The childminder seeks out relevant training, for instance, in respect of the Early Years Foundation Stage, health and safety, and food safety. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained. However, some parents have not fully completed the document regarding their child’s use of public transport.

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the early years provision

Very good use is made of the space available. Child-friendly storage systems enable children to make choices and self-select activities. This helps nurture their decision making and independence skills. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is very well promoted. The childminder presents as a good role model and acknowledges differences in a positive manner. She makes good use of discussion to help raise children's awareness of diversity, and they have access to a good selection of appropriate resources and activities. The childminder understands well, how to support children who speak English as an additional language. She is able to explain how key words and phrases in a child's home language would be acquired, and how visual prompts and gestures would be used to aid communication. Arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are good. The childminder is able to describe very well,

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the early years provision

how she would work closely with parents and liaise appropriately with other agencies and professionals. Good links are forged with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has established positive relationships with teaching staff at the local school. Good systems are in place to facilitate the exchange of pertinent information to support individual children's learning. She often joins children for story sessions, and attends various social events at the school.

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the early years provision

Very positive relationships are established and maintained with parents. Effective induction procedures ensure that relevant details about children's initial needs and abilities are obtained. This enables the childminder to establish a very sound understanding of each child's initial starting points. Children's admission is managed sensitively. The childminder works effectively with parents to introduce children gradually into her care, through a series of visits to her home. This allows all parties to get to know each other and children settle very well. Pertinent information about the service provided is shared with parents. They have access to written policies and procedures, which are shared with them as part of the induction process. They are actively encouraged to keep the childminder up-to- date regarding any relevant information that may impact upon the continued care of their child. Parents are kept extremely well informed of day-to-day activities and

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the early years provision

their child's progress through the very effective use of verbal feedback, photographs, and access and input to their child's records. Individual children’s preferred activities and particular interests are discussed in detail with their parents. This allows them to work in close harmony with the childminder by mirroring activities at home to support their child's learning. For example, one parent had bought some toys to support their child’s current interest in books and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 jig-saws. The childminder provides parents with ideas for activities and they often borrow resources. Feed back from parents is extremely positive. They made comments, such as, 'A wide range of activities and resources, and excellent use of local facilities, such as, the library, soft play and local parks'. In particular comments regarding children's care and learning were positive. For example, 'I feel

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the early years provision

reassured my children's needs are met, and they access fun, educational activities' and 'My daughter's development has been greatly enhanced through fun, educational activities'.

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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 very well. They are able to take part in activities at their own level and pace, and they make very good progress. Children benefit from easy access to a very broad range of resources and activities. A very good variety of adult-led activities is provided, and children have ample opportunities to initiate their own play and learning. Regular outings to places of interest are scheduled. For instance, children visit the sot play facilities, local parks, libraries, the beach, Washington Wetlands Centre, Saltwell Park, Sunderland Winter Gardens and various museums. Younger children attend the busy-body active kids sessions and toddler groups several times each week. These outings provide children with opportunities to develop their awareness of the local community and the wider

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and outcomes for children

world, and to socialise with others. Children are very closely supervised by the childminder and are able to move freely from room to room, and explore the resources made readily accessible to them.

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and outcomes for children

Very good use is made of discussion and open-ended questions to support, and extend children's thinking to promote their learning effectively. The childminder uses every day activities and play, to efficiently promote and reinforce language and literacy skills, and concepts, such as, number, colour, shape, size, letters and spatial awareness. For example, while playing a shopping board game children were actively encouraged to identify and name items they wished to buy, and calculate the amount of money needed to pay for their items. Children’s achievements and efforts were enthusiastically recognised and celebrated by the childminder. This positive acknowledgement helps nurture their confidence and children’s self-esteem is high. Very strong, warm relationships are evident between the childminder and the children she cares for. Children thoroughly enjoy her interaction and turn to her willingly for assistance. They initiate conversation with

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and outcomes for children

her freely and relate to her in a very comfortable manner. Observation techniques are used effectively to enable the childminder to acquire a very good understanding of each child's abilities and interests. Information is recorded very well. This allows the childminder to identify efficiently the next step to support children's learning. Suitable goals are set for each child to help them achieve and progress. Children's behaviour is managed very well through the calm and consistent use of age appropriate tactics. Emphasis is placed upon the recognition and praise of positive behaviour. Children respond positively and their behaviour is very good. They are helped to gain a good awareness of safety matters, via the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 simple explanation of potential hazards, safety rules, and the gentle reinforcement of these rules as necessary. They practise road safety and fire drills.

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and outcomes for children

Hygiene standards are high. Regular routines and positive role modelling are used very well to raise children's awareness of appropriate personal hygiene practices. The childminder’s understanding of relevant policies and procedures is very good, she implements these effectively, such as, the care of a sick or injured child, the administration of medication and accident management. Healthy eating is very well promoted. The childminder talks to children and uses cookery with other activities to promote their awareness of a good diet. Parents are very closely consulted about their children's dietary needs, whether for cultural, medical or lifestyle preferences. Fresh drinking water and other suitable drinks are provided. Children are able to play outdoors each day and an active lifestyle is promoted. A good selection of resources and activities is provided to support children's physical development. 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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