Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397855 Inspection date 23/03/2010 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 2009. She lives in a cottage on a farm, close to Alnwick in Northumberland, with her partner and his son aged eight years, who lives on the premises for part of the week. The childminder is registered for six children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll who attend a variety of sessions. All of these children are in the early years age range. The childminder uses the whole of the premises, except an identified bedroom. There is an enclosed area for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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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 by a patient, highly skilled practitioner who knows their individual needs very well. Space and resources are organised effectively to ensure that children's independence is successfully promoted. The childminder has developed a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and consistently considers the areas she wishes to improve, which will bring the greatest benefits to the children's welfare and development. All children are successfully included in the setting as she organises her time very effectively to ensure she can meet their individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the outdoor area to promote all aspects of children's development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successful systems in place to ensure that children remain safe in the setting. Very comprehensive written risk assessments and a good approach to supervising children at all times ensure that children move easily and freely around a highly safe environment. The childminder has a dedicated commitment to updating and continually improving her knowledge around child protection issues. This results in children being cared for by a highly skilled practitioner, who is able to safeguard their welfare in a consistent manner through following highly detailed policies and procedures. Space and equipment are successfully organised by the childminder to provide an active learning environment for the children. A positive attitude towards diversity and equal opportunities results in all children being successfully included by the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

A consistent capability to effectively reflect on her practice means that the childminder continually strives to improve her practice. At present, due to the short time she has been childminding, this focuses mainly on improving resources. This allows greater choices for the children attending as the childminder considers toys that she can add to her already varied range of good quality equipment. The childminder has identified projects that she wishes to work on that will have a beneficial impact on the outcomes for children, for example, by enhancing the outdoor environment.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are highly successful. The childminder values their suggestions and input about the care that is provided by her for their children. Very successful systems ensure that parents are extremely well informed about the welfare and development of their children. The childminder is currently implementing additional methods which will further secure and improve the already good systems in place. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision when their child begins to attend, and the childminder collects comprehensive information on each child to ensure she can successfully meet their individual needs. The childminder has developed effective systems to work in partnership with others who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage for children attending. This means she can provide a continuous learning journey for all of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children have developed good, secure relationships with the childminder. This results in them feeling a strong sense of belonging in their time at the setting. They are cared for by a practitioner who respects children for their unique, individual abilities. She provides highly detailed plans of interesting and fun activities that children enjoy in their time with her and that recognise the children’s individual interests. Plans remain flexible to ensure she can incorporate spontaneous activities, such as exploring the woods outside. The childminder has built up a clear picture of the children’s learning and development needs. She uses this to focus on the next steps in the children’s learning and takes time to reflect on the activities provided to ensure she provides a well-balanced range of experiences and opportunities for them. This results in children making very good progress in all areas of their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are highly confident in making decisions and choices. This is due to the childminder consistently encouraging their independence and her highly successful approach to valuing the individual needs of all the children she cares for. Children behave well in the setting. They eagerly help to tidy toys away at the childminder’s request. The childminder provides a successful role model for the children. She consistently praises them for their achievements, which contributes towards raising children’s self-esteem and encourages them to behave appropriately. Children learn about the consequences their behaviour has on others through the childminder’s sensitive explanations about boundaries and rules. She takes time to encourage them to think about what may happen when they behave in ways that are unsafe. Many planned activities and resources which are freely available allow This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

children to learn about diversity. This means children are beginning to develop respect and consideration for others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a well maintained environment, where toys and equipment are cleaned regularly and replaced as needed. They do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. The childminder can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. Children make healthy choices about what they have to eat from a selection of good, balanced foods. Children have lots of opportunities to benefit from fresh air and play outdoors. The childminder utilises the advantages of the environment her setting is in to ensure that outdoor play is varied and interesting. She practises road and fire safety with the children consistently to ensure they develop a strong understanding of how to stay safe. The childminder talks to children about looking for cars and how to take care near roads, and she evaluates the regular fire drills she completes with all of the children. This means

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and outcomes for children

children are confident about what to do in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in a range of activities and experiences that help them to develop good skills for the future. They are highly confident communicators due to the childminder taking care to listen and respond to what they say. She enthusiastically encourages children to think about what they are doing through questions, and engages them in conversations which enable them to have plenty of opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings. The childminder successfully brings learning and development into all areas of the children’s play. She uses questions to help them think about how to solve practical problems and encourages them to count and recognise numbers. Lovely, well planned activities about the outdoors are relished by children. They look at the environment and how their shadows move and change in the sunshine, which helps them develop their exploration and investigation skills. 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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