Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305793 Inspection date 12/07/2010 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 July 1993. She lives with her adult daughter in the Fairfield area of Stockton-on-Tees. The family home is situated within easy distance of local amenities, including schools. Minded children have the use of the whole ground floor of the house plus the bathroom, toilet and computer room on the first floor. There is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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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. The are currently seven children on roll, with one being in the early years age group. The childminder is also included on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and offers care to children aged up to 11 years. She attends several toddler groups and takes and collects children from local schools.

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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

A warm and welcoming environment is provided for children and the provision is effective in meeting their individual needs. Inclusion is effectively promoted. Children are appropriately safeguarded and suitable procedures are in place, however, the childminder does not demonstrate a clear knowledge of safeguarding issues. Most relevant steps have been taken to ensure a safe environment for children, however, risk assessments for the home do not include all relevant information. A process of self-evaluation has been introduced since the previous inspection but is not currently fully effective in identifying areas for the continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase knowledge and understanding of up-to-date safeguarding children issues  develop the risk assessment process for the home to ensure they include all relevant information, and take steps to ensure that low-level glass in the hall does not pose a hazard to children  increase knowledge and understanding of the different areas of learning and of appropriate activities to stimulate children's interest and help them progress towards the early learning goals  continue to develop the process of self-evaluation to effectively identify areas for future development and support the continuous improvement of the provision This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded. Suitable written procedures have been introduced since the previous inspection and the childminder is aware of how to put these into practise, however, she does not demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of up-to-date safeguarding children issues.

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the early years provision

Adequate risk assessments have been conducted and recorded and most steps taken to ensure a safe environment for children. However, the risk assessments for the home do not include all relevant information and some low-level glass in the hall poses a possible risk to children. The environment is warm and welcoming. Resources are appropriately deployed and are easily accessible for the children. They are maintained in a suitable condition with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory attitude towards equality and diversity and ensures it is promoted. All children are included and involved and their individual needs are met. Children have access to some basic resources and activities which reflect the wider world. The childminder is aware of the value of working in partnership with other professionals and organisations in order to meet children's needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and has attended additional training since the previous inspection, for example, an inclusion development programme. She has also implemented a process of self- evaluation, however, this is not yet fully effective as areas for future development have not been clearly identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with parents and keeps them informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Parents also have access to their child’s development file and the childminder's policy and procedure documents. Parents written views and comments about the provision are sought and these are all very positive. The childminder finds out about children’s capabilities, health, likes and dislikes from parents when children first start to attend, the information is recorded and is used as a basis for their individual care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has started to complete appropriate observations of children in the early years age group. The ‘next steps’ in children's learning are effectively identified and used to inform future activity planning. Evidence suggests that children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. However, the childminder does not demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the different areas of learning or of a range of stimulating activities to maintain and stimulate children's involvement. Children's interests are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 taken into account when planning activities and the childminder is aware of what the children in her care like to do.

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and outcomes for children

Minded children present themselves as being settled and feeling secure in the childminder's care. They enjoy a close relationship with her and are observed seeking cuddles. Children learn about keeping themselves safe. They participate in fire drills, learn about road safety and talk about strangers, which is appropriately combined with the ‘Goldilocks and the three bears’ story.

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and outcomes for children

Children are also helped to begin to understand about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and physical activity through general discussions. They have regular opportunities to participate in physical play, such as going for walks, visits to different parks and playing in the rear garden with a range of resources. The childminder is aware of how to promote a healthy diet, however, she does not provide children's meals as all of their food is provided by parents. The spread of infection is appropriately managed. The home is clean and hygienic and hygiene procedures are routinely promoted with children.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a satisfactory attitude towards learning and participate in some activities. The childminder offers appropriate support, such as asking relevant questions to promote thinking and language skills, however, children are not always encouraged to get engaged in activities to keep them occupied and stimulated. Children are well-behaved and the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities for building relationships when meeting up with other childminder's children and when visiting various social groups. They show an interest in books and choose these independently. Children have various opportunities for mark-making activities and are starting to recognise some letters and numbers. They have also designed their own book for ‘national book day’. Children sort objects and solve simple problems, such as when using a range of jigsaw puzzles. Also, when constructing a farm house, they confidently tell the childminder how to fit the room correctly.

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and outcomes for children

Children compare weight and size, for example, they fill different size containers with water and have also plotted how tall they are on a height chart. Board games help to promote children's counting skills. They also create patterns with different games and when involved in creative activities, such as painting and gluing different patterns. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted through various outings and visits to places such as farms, parks and museums. They have also grown cress and nurtured sunflower seeds. Children have opportunities for promoting their small and large muscle development with a range of activities including cutting, constructing and climbing. 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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