Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396356 Inspection date 08/03/2010 Inspector Ann Coggin

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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 October 2009. She lives with her husband and three children aged 20, 14 and 10 in The Rings area of Ingleby Barwick. The whole ground floor, except for the study, and the upstairs bathroom, large front bedroom and en suite are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a dog and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child, part time, in the early years age group. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a BTEC Diploma in Nursery Nursing and attends 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment and she works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children are happy, confident and content in the childminder's care. The childminder builds secure bonds with children to help them feel welcome and she provides a varied range of opportunities and activities through which she promotes learning. Systems are in place to plan for and assess children's learning and development, and plan the next steps in their development. The childminder has not yet begun to formally evaluate her practice to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. (Promoting good health) 08/04/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for monitoring the effectiveness of the provision to make sure the service meets the needs of all who attend and to promote continuous improvement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is able to protect children from harm and neglect as she has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is fully aware of the steps she will take if she has any concerns regarding the children's welfare. Her written statement is shared with parents. The childminder ensures that all adults living in the home are suitably vetted to have regular contact with children, therefore giving reassurance to parents. Suitable safety equipment is fitted around the home and the childminder carries out daily visual checks inside and outside her home. She carries out weekly smoke alarm checks and written risk assessments are maintained. Written policies and procedures are used effectively to ensure children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The process of self-evaluation is in its infancy, however, the childminder has already made changes to her practices, for example, by recording her observations of children's development. She has attended training to ensure she has an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and safeguarding children, and is committed to furthering her knowledge.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is arranged well to help children move around safely and independently. Toys and resources are age-appropriate and easily accessible to the children, allowing them the opportunity to make choices. Activities cover the areas of learning. The childminder caters for children's individual needs, and resources are available to reflect positive images of diversity. Partnerships with parents are being established, with most consents being in place. However, permission from parents for seeking emergency advice or treatment is not in place. Daily diaries and verbal discussions are used to share information about the children's days. Parents comment they are happy to leave their children in a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment, knowing their children are safe and well-cared for. The childminder is aware of the importance of establishing links with other settings, such as nurseries and schools.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel at home in the childminding environment, where they share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. They are made to feel very valued by the childminder, who gives them praise and encouragement in appropriate ways which link to their ages and understanding, promoting children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder shows genuine interest in their play and involves herself in activities in order to fully support children's learning and development. Space and resources are suitably organised to enable children to participate happily with a varied selection of stimulating activities that meet their play, learning and developmental needs. Children learn about the wider environment as they enjoy visiting local parks to use large play equipment. They have regular opportunities to interact with their peers at local toddler groups, library sessions and soft play areas. They are developing important skills for the future, such as

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sharing, taking turns and socialising. Most activities are child-initiated, although, planned activities such as painting, water play and sand play are adult-led.

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and outcomes for children

Assessments and observations are used to help the childminder provide challenging and rewarding activities for the children. Folders containing photographs and observations are shared with parents to clearly identify and involve them in the next steps in their children's learning. Children have opportunities to play with programmable toys and enjoy playing with the telephone and pop-up toys. They giggle as they take the building bricks out of the lorry and put them back in again. Their early language skills are developing as the childminder talks to them constantly and responds to their babbling. They sway and dance to the music and are developing early problem-solving skills as they play with shape sorters, attempting to identify which shape goes where.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn the importance of keeping themselves healthy and safe through simple processes which are supported by the childminder. Satisfactory hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. Clear policies and procedures ensure that children’s health and welfare needs are met, for example, exclusion periods for certain illnesses. Fire detection devices are fitted and the childminder has practised her emergency evacuation procedure with the children to ensure safety in the event of an emergency. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: 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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