Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276158 Inspection date 12/03/2010 Inspector Jacqueline West

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 16 and 17 in the residential area of Lambton in Washington. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. She has three pet dogs. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 5.30pm for 50 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 five children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school 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 children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming environment. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards providing an inclusive service. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and provides fun activities that fully engage the children. Consequently, the children make good progress in all areas of their development. Good links have been developed with parents. Systems to self-evaluate are being developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 make use of the Ofsted self-evaluation information and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal reviews.

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the early years provision

The children are very well protected as the childminder has attended recent safeguarding training, and demonstrates a good understanding of her role and the procedures to follow. Consequently, the children are thoroughly protected. Their welfare is assured as the childminder and other household members have had suitability checks completed. Clear, well recorded risk assessments take place daily within the childminder's home and on outings. Consequently, the chance of accidental injury is minimised. Security is very well maintained and robust procedures are in place regarding the safe collection of children. The childminder ensures that children are kept safe on outings as she implements effective procedures, such as holding hands, obtaining parental consent and encouraging the children to discuss possible dangers before outings. 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 demonstrates a good awareness with regard to equality and diversity, and provides an inclusive service. The children are encouraged to take part in a range of activities at their own level and pace of learning, such as when completing Mother's Day cards. A range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity are used effectively to broaden the children's awareness of others. Well- maintained systems are in place to record the children’s details, medication and accidents. These are all up-to-date and stored to promote confidentiality. High emphasis is put on partnership with parents, which has a positive impact on the children’s overall well-being. Induction procedures are effective and include sufficient visits to ensure children settle well. The childminder speaks to parents on a daily basis about the experiences their children have enjoyed. This is complemented with written information. The childminder has developed good

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the early years provision

procedures to share information with other providers to ensure continuity for the children. This is achieved through regular discussion with nursery staff and attending groups facilitated by the school.

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the early years provision

The childminder is professional and shows a positive attitude towards her career; for example, she discusses positive practices with other childminders to further develop her practice. The childminder continually reflects on her practice in order to evaluate the service that she provides; she recognises her strengths, which include the professional relationship she has developed with parents, and the flexible service she is able to offer. The childminder does not currently use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to reflect on her practice, which has a slightly negative impact on the system’s effectiveness. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been positively addressed. The childminder practises and records emergency evacuation procedures with the children, and this has a positive impact on their safety and well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it well. She carries out ongoing observations of the children at play and continually evaluates their learning; these are used to identify each child’s next steps in their learning. Clear, effective systems ensure that each area of learning is covered. The childminder's effective organisation enables the children to independently choose some activities and request activities requiring more assistance.

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and outcomes for children

The children are extremely happy, confident and secure, as a result of the childminder’s continual praise and support. Excellent relationships have been developed between all; for example, the older children assist the younger children when putting their shoes on. All children show confidence and rapidly develop their independence and social skills; for example, the children confidently feed themselves using appropriate cutlery. A very good balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensure appropriate challenges for their age and stage of development. The children confidently request activities of their choice and spontaneously extend their play; for example, when reading the story of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ‘Hungry Caterpillar’, the children initiated further play by using a tunnel to be their cocoon. The children's communication skills are developing extremely well, and

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and outcomes for children

they express themselves very clearly, asking questions such as, 'can I have more dinner'. The children have excellent opportunities to learn about living things, as they care for the puppies and watch them grow. The children flourish as they develop their physical skills by exercise and singing to music, they jump and kick their legs showing real delight in their achievements by continually smiling. The children begin to gain an awareness of shape and numbers as they spontaneously count objects and name shapes in books. They have access to a range of purposeful, creative opportunities that develop their self-expression, such as dressing up as a ballerina. The children use information and communication technology, to support their learning as they explore interactive resources.

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and outcomes for children

The children's health is well promoted. They benefit from daily exercise as they walk to school and regularly visit the local park. The childminder’s flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing the children’s well-being. A well-balanced diet is encouraged. Meals and snacks provided include pasta dishes, vegetables and fruit. The children demonstrate an awareness of healthy foods; for example, when reading the hungry caterpillar story, a child made a comment that, 'cakes are not healthy'. The children are learning good personal hygiene through consistent routines and positive role modelling; for example, they use the toilet and wash their hands with minimum guidance. The childminder has a good understanding of relevant policies and procedures, such as the action to be taken regarding a sick child, and the administration of medication. This helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection and safeguards the children's health. All the required

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and outcomes for children

procedures and documentation are in place, to ensure that the children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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