Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398154 Inspection date 29/06/2010 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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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 has been registered since September 2009. She lives in the Marton area of Middlesbrough with her husband and their three children, who are aged nearly 12 years, and nine and three years. The family home is close to local amenities, such as schools, shops, a play park, library and railway station. Children have the use of the whole ground floor of the house, plus the bathroom on the first floor. There is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog, which minded children have supervised access to.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children aged under eight years at any one time. She is also included on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age group, who is cared for on a part-time 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

A very warm and welcoming environment is provided for children. Inclusion is well promoted and the provision is very effective in meeting children's individual needs. As a result, children develop an exceptionally strong sense of security in the childminder's care. Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, and all are kept up to date and well maintained, including some good practice policy and procedure documents. A process of self-evaluation has been implemented but is not fully developed, however, the childminder has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process of self-evaluation to support the continuous improvement of the provision  ensure that records are kept relating to vehicle insurance details.

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded and comprehensive procedures are in place. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, including how to put procedures into practice. Good risk assessments have been conducted and all action taken to ensure that children are kept safe, both in the home and when on outings. The premises and garden are kept secure and a record of visitors is maintained.

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the early years provision

Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the provision are available, well kept and up to date, including some good practice policy and procedure documents, however, insurance details relating to the vehicle in which children are transported, are not currently available.

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the early years provision

The environment is very warm and welcoming. Children have access to a designated, attractive play room, where learning materials and play equipment are very well deployed and easily accessible for them. A good range of play equipment is also easily accessible in the rear garden. All resources are regularly cleaned and checked to ensure they remain safe and suitable for children's use.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and ensures that it is well promoted. She has a good understanding of the capabilities, interests and preferences of the children in her care, and ensures that their individual needs are well met. Children also have access to various resources and activities which help to raise their awareness of the cultures and beliefs of others.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the value of working in partnership with other professionals and organisations to meet children’s individual needs. She works well in partnership with parents and keeps them fully informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Parents also have good access to their child’s development folder and to the policy and procedure documents of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards personal development. She has completed relevant childminder and first aid courses and has continued to attend additional training since registration. For example, a management of children’s behaviour course, and she is currently completing a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development.

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the early years provision

The childminder also has a positive attitude towards driving improvement. A process of self-evaluation is in place but is not yet fully developed. However, the childminder has identified and implemented some improvements since registration, for example, additional indoor and outdoor resources have been purchased to promote individual children's large physical skills. The childminder seeks parents' views about the provision and acts on any comments and suggestions, for example, in relation to resources and food provided.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes and records children’s development well and relates this to the early learning goals. She demonstrates a sound knowledge of the different areas of learning, identifies future development for individual children and uses the information to inform activity planning. As a result, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children present themselves as being extremely happy, settled and secure and are observed laughing and giggling constantly throughout the inspection. As the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder consistently offers high quality interaction and ensures that her routine is effectively organised to meet the individual needs and interest of children, they gain an exceptionally strong sense of security in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to begin to learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they discuss and practise road safety routines and are also involved in fire drills. They are supported to adopt healthy lifestyles and are provided with healthy and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. Parents' preferences and requests, relating to dietary and cultural requirements, are strictly adhered to. Children have regular opportunities to participate in physical activity, both indoors and outdoors, and are beginning to learn about the effects of a healthy lifestyle on their bodies, through general discussions and healthy eating games.

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and outcomes for children

Minded children display high levels of involvement in some tasks, such as when enjoying repeatedly posting picture domino cards into a box. They build relationships through gesture, for example, when laughing, smiling and seeking cuddles from the childminder. Children are very well behaved and the childminder demonstrates a very calm and loving manner, which promotes a relaxed and friendly environment.

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and outcomes for children

Babies are making new sounds and attempting new words, which the childminder recognises, praises and encourages. They also enjoy listening to stories and participate in ‘tots sing and sign’ sessions. Various jigsaw puzzles for different age groups are available and help to promote children's early problem-solving and physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in some activities which help to promote their knowledge and understanding of the world, such as when learning about hot and cold countries and the different animals that live there. Activities are also appropriately extended to support children's learning, for example, they then make animal masks and learn about the different sounds animals make. A good range of information and communication technology equipment and educational games is available for older children.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s large and small physical skills are well promoted. For example, different activities are planned to extend and challenge their skills, such as push-along toys for babies and large climbing equipment for older children. Various role-play resources are readily available to promote children's creative development and they are involved in different craft activities, such as making shapes in sand, painting, baking and designing cards. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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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