Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305483 Inspection date 22/03/2010 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Houghton-le-Spring. She has a pet dog and hamster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The home is accessed by steps. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and nurseries, and attends several 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 provides a very welcoming and child-friendly environment for all children and their families. She demonstrates a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide range of activities for children which cover all areas of learning. This enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is committed to working closely with parents to provide an inclusive setting, where all children are valued and their individual needs are fully met. She demonstrates a good understanding of her areas for development in order to promote outcomes for children. However, procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice are in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon systems to share relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions and parents  develop further procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation, and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision well. She has a detailed range of policies and procedures in place which are used to effectively safeguard children. For example, health and safety, confidentiality and safeguarding children. This is combined with her good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Written risk assessments for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the home and outings, along with daily checks of all areas and equipment, are in place to promote children's safety within the home. Additional safety measures, such as, stair gates, keeping external doors locked and close observation of children at all times, make a positive contribution to the overall safety of the setting. All documentation required to promote the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and

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the early years provision

has permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. This ensures that she could respond quickly and appropriately to any accidents.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. She works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs. Parents are invited for introductory meetings where they receive copies of all relevant policies and procedures and the childminder discusses her practice. Regular newsletters and a notice board, which includes important information such as public liability insurance and the certificate of registration, further ensure that parents are well-informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up-to-date about their children's learning through verbal feedback and one-to-one meetings where the childminder shares the children's individual learning files. The childminder has developed positive relationships with staff at local nurseries and schools. However, as yet, she has not further developed her procedures to share information about children's individual learning

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the early years provision

and development with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to fully promote continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards developing her practice through attending regular training. She discusses practice with other childminders and is aware of her areas for improvement. However, systems to further monitor and evaluate her setting are in their infancy. She has positively addressed the recommendation raised at the previous inspection. This helps to promote outcomes for children. Play opportunities are enhanced as resources, time and space are used to good effect at the childminder's home. This enables children to move around the setting confidently and make choices about their learning and play. Currently, no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attend the setting. However, the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards working with parents and other professionals to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress and are well cared for by the experienced and committed childminder. She demonstrates a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and works effectively to promote children's learning and development. Children are happy, settled and relate well to the childminder. She joins in well with their play and extends learning through good use of questioning and support of the children. For example, she encourages them to identify colours. A very good range of resources is provided for the children and this is complemented with visits to toddler groups to provide children with lots of opportunities to socialise with their peers. Space is used well, for example, babies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently crawl around using furniture to pull themselves up and children roll balls along the floor to the childminder. They play with a variety of mobile phones,

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and outcomes for children

cameras and programmable toys. Babies press buttons and clap their hands happily as the music starts. This helps children to begin to develop skills for the future. A variety of arts and crafts activities such as painting, sticking and cutting helps to promote children's fine motor skills and provides opportunities for them to be creative. Planned trips to see goats, to the farm and on nature walks help children to begin to develop an interest in the natural world. They have fun and nurture their problem solving skills as they complete jigsaws and play with shape sorters. The childminder supports them to build towers, introducing language such as 'bigger' and 'smaller' as they play. A variety of resources and planned activities, such as celebrating the Chinese New Year, helps children to begin to develop an awareness of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder plans a variety of activities indoors and out. These are based on children's interests and cover all areas of learning. The childminder clearly knows the children well and has developed individual learning books for them. These include lots of photographs of the children along with written observation of their learning, clearly linked to the areas of learning and identifying next their next steps. As a result, the childminder has a good understanding of their progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well by the childminder. Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise, including going to the park and playing in the garden. She understands the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet for children and acts as a good role model, for example, washing her hands before preparing fruit for snack. Planned activities, such as fruit tasting, help to further introduce children to the benefits of healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides good opportunities for children to begin to learn to keep themselves safe. They practise regular fire drills and discuss road safety as part of their play, for example, setting up road safety sessions in the garden. Children demonstrate a strong sense of security and confidence in the setting. They cuddle the childminder and have clearly developed close relationships with her. This is supported by age- appropriate behaviour management techniques. The childminder gives the children

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and outcomes for children

lots of praise and encourages them to share and to be kind to each other. 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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