Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305834 Inspection date 11/05/2010 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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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 July 2000. She lives with her husband, her 16 year old daughter and her 15 year old son. They live in a house in Ingleby Barwick, which has amenities within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog. The childminder operates for 48 weeks of the year and opens from 7.30am to 6pm.

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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. She is currently caring for seven children, of whom, four are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Yarm Childminding Group. She has a Cache level 3 Diploma in Home Based Childcare.

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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 warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for children in her care, consequently children feel valued and their self-esteem is developing well. She has a good knowledge of each child’s individual needs and promotes their welfare and learning effectively. Observation and assessment records show children are making good progress towards their early learning goals. Effective relationships have been developed with parents and are in the early stages of being developed with other providers. Although the system for self- evaluation is in development, the childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.

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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 procedures to promote reflective practice, self- evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  continue to link the next steps in children's learning more clearly to planning for individual children and promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information regarding children's progress with other provisions that children attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Written comprehensive policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. This is reflected in her understanding of the procedures she would follow should she have a safeguarding child concern. The childminder takes care not to allow people whose suitability has not been checked to have unsupervised contact with the children while they are being cared for. The childminder’s home is very safe and she maintains well-written records of risk assessments, which cover all areas of the premises. The children learn about the danger of fire through practising emergency evacuations regularly. The childminder creates a stimulating environment to appeal to children, for example, organising toys and resources effectively to enable children to freely access them, which promotes their independence and decision making skills.

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the early years provision

The identification of areas for improvement and self-evaluation are in their early stages and are being developed. Through regular discussions the childminder is proactive in seeking the children's and parent's views about the provision. The childminder effectively promotes inclusive practice by encouraging the children to take part in activities, which are appropriate to their different needs and abilities. The children learn about diversity through using resources, such as books, which include images of people with disabilities. They also find out about festivals from around the world through discussion and activities to celebrate festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Eid.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very well established to ensure all children's needs are met. There is a good two-way flow of information regarding children's learning, development and welfare. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision. They are encouraged to share what they know about their child and be involved in their child’s learning and development. Parents are very positive about the care and learning that their child receives. Written statements were left for the inspection stating that they are very happy with the care their children receive. Suitable links have been developed with the nursery that some children attend. Information is passed on by nursery staff about the child's care and the childminder has received a copy of the plans for the term. However, methods have not been implemented so that there can be a two-way exchange of information regarding the children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The children receive support and affection, which results in them feeling confident, motivated, healthy, happy and secure. Their independence is promoted well through easy access to a wide range of resources. The children are making good progress in their learning, as the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, she record's the children's progress and links her observations to the six areas of learning. Assessments show how the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are progressing towards their early learning goals, and identifies the next steps in their learning and development. However, these next steps are not clearly linked to individual planning for each of the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children's learning and development needs well as she constantly chats to them extending their knowledge and vocabulary. Photographs of children playing show they enjoy a good range of outings and trips to places such as the beach, crazy corner play park, nature world and toddler groups. They also enjoy lots of art and craft activities and enjoy baking. The children can be active or enjoy quiet times and sleep according to their needs. They enjoy the close contact with the childminder as they sit beside her to look at books and listen to their favourite stories. The children have a growing awareness of letters and sounds, for example, they know that banana begins with the letter 'B' and fish begins with the letter 'F'. They know that there are two 'Z' in their name. The children count throughout the day, for example, they count how many times they can bounce the ball and how many steps they climb on the slide. They

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and outcomes for children

begin to take an interest in the living world as they talk about the spiders who live in webs outside in the garden. Younger children are developing good concentration skills as they spend lots of time trying to fasten the safety clasp on the baby seat and the high chair. They vocabulary is also developing well as they constantly babble in their own way, as the childminder and older children help them to say the words. The daily opportunities for children to play outdoors in the garden or at parks ensures they enjoy and benefit from the fresh air and regular exercise. The children clearly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and make good progress.

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and outcomes for children

The children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, the childminder teaches them about road safety when out walking. Routines, like regular hand washing before eating, are in place to help the children learn about health and hygiene. The childminder is trained in first aid, therefore, she is aware of how to care for children in the event of an accident. The children's good health is promoted through a varied and well-balanced diet which includes a very wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables. The children are provided with regular drinks. The children have a warm and trusting relationship with the childminder and enjoy the constant praise and encouragement they receive for all their achievements great and small. Her calm professional manner and genuine attention to the children's needs means that they learn to play cooperatively together and behave well. They develop good manners with gentle reminders from the childminder

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and outcomes for children

should they forget. 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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