Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305724 Inspection date 23/07/2010 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 assesses 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 June 1994. She lives with her husband, her adult daughter and her younger daughter, aged 10 years old in the High Grange area of Billingham. The whole of the ground floor and the front bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years old at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for eight children in this age group at various times. She also provides care to older children. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Association of Billingham and Norton Childminders and of the Stockton Childminding Network.

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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 is an experienced and qualified practitioner, who provides a warm and friendly welcome to all children and their parents. She ensures all children are valued and provides an inclusive environment. The wide range of activities offered ensures children have lots of opportunities to make good progress in each of the areas of learning. Effective systems for monitoring progress are in place and the childminder is starting to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help with this process. Consequently, the capacity to maintain continuous provision is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessments for nursery and school runs  further develop use of evaluation processes such as the Ofsted self- evaluation form to enhance practice and to prioritise areas for development  consider using summative assessments to help track children's progress and identify next steps in their learning

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the early years provision

Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has recently attended updated safeguarding training. Checks have been completed on household members, to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with children. Risk assessments take place daily within the childminder's home and these are fully recorded. Outings are also risk assessed to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure children's safety but a record of these for nursery and school runs is not maintained. The childminder's ongoing commitment to training has a positive impact on the quality of the care and education she provides. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course and adheres to her policies for dealing with accidents and administration of medication to safeguard children's welfare.

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the early years provision

A welcoming, stimulating environment is provided for children. There is a designated playroom, which is brightly decorated and rich in print, helping the children to understand that print carries meaning. The children also have use of other areas of the home and move around freely and confidently and are very much 'at home'. Resources are of good quality, plentiful and attractively displayed to encourage children to make choices and to develop their independence. Toys and books depict a variety of cultures and races to promote children's understanding and appreciation of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to developing her practice and improving outcomes for children. The recommendation made at the last inspection has been completed and she is beginning to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help with evaluating her provision. Recent questionnaires completed with parents score the provision as 10 out of 10. Parents speak very highly of the care the children receive, including comments such as, 'fantastic childminder', 'excellent communication' and 'excellent, varied and plentiful resources'. There are close links with local schools and other settings attended by the children, assisting planning for continuity in their care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are progressing well towards the early learning goals. They are happy and settled at the childminder's home and clearly enjoy being with her and her family. She has a good understanding of child development and of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, and this is reflected in her practice. Observations and assessments are used to identify the next steps in children's learning. However, as yet, summative assessments are not completed, so their progress can be fully tracked and the information used to help with future planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to develop skills for future learning. They are active, inquisitive learners who confidently make choices, follow their interests and express their ideas freely during free play time. They love books, listening carefully as the childminder and her daughter read to them and mark-make confidently, progressing to write recognisable letters as they get older. Their interest in number is encouraged as the childminder uses everyday opportunities, such as looking at house numbers while out walking, and they have great fun when measuring each others height with the tape measure. They are very confident and friendly and happily converse as they play. Attendance at community groups helps to develop their social skills as they play with other children and also gives them the opportunity to play with different resources. Children are developing a strong sense of belonging. They know where to find resources, they help themselves to

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 these and are proud of their displayed pictures and photographs in the scrap book. They learn about size and shape as they play with jigsaws, shape sorters and pour sand into containers in the sand pit. They love being outdoors in the fresh air and good use is made of the garden and other areas to develop children's understanding of the world. A wide range of resources are readily available to promote children's physical development and they confidently use climbing equipment and manoeuvre bikes and wheeled toys. They love imaginary play, dressing up at Halloween and Christmas and engage in role play, based on first hand experiences. They are becoming skilful at dancing, moving and exercising to music, which is made even more enjoyable for them as the childminder and her daughter join in.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. High standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout all childminding areas and effective hygiene routines are followed to prevent the spread of infection. A good range of healthy meals and snacks are provided and children are involved in growing foods, such as courgettes and tomatoes, which helps to raise children's awareness of what foods are good for them. They learn about keeping themselves safe through instruction and everyday practices, for example, fire and road safety. Their behaviour is good. They listen to what the childminder tells them, respect her home and resources, and have lovely manners. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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