Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314027 Inspection date 17/06/2010 Inspector Karen Marie Tervit

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in Meadowfield. Their home is close to schools and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom and main bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully 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. She is currently minding five children in this age group. Children attend on a full- and part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children to and from the local primary school and nursery. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 very warm and welcoming environment to all children and their families. She meets the needs of the children in her care extremely well as she has a good awareness of their individual abilities. Consequently, they are making good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are successful. Detailed observations are mostly used well to inform the childminder's practice. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and is committed and enthusiastic about continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for individual outings and trips  develop the assessment process to include summative assessments to help with tracking children's progress  develop the use self-evaluation processes such as the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help identify and prioritise areas for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as procedures to be followed in the event of any concerns, ensuring children are safeguarded. She has attended training in this area in the past and is booked on further training to ensure she keeps her knowledge up to date. Children are further protected by the range of written policies and procedures which are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively implemented and routinely shared with parents. Children's welfare is assured as the childminder and other adult household members have had suitable checks completed. There is a comprehensive record of risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed, along with daily checks of all areas, enabling the childminder to identify and address potential dangers within the home and garden. Although the childminder assesses risks on outings, there is no written record of these for each

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve the quality of the service she offers. As well as attending training the childminder is proactive in accessing useful publications. For example, on areas such as providing outdoor play and encouraging early reading and writing skills to inform and improve her practice. She is beginning to evaluate the care and education she provides. However, as she is currently attending training on this area the process is in the very early stages of development. Children have begun to be involved in the process as they paint pictures of their favourite activities, such as doing limbo dancing. The childminder regularly attends meetings with other childminders to share ideas and enhance her practice. She has positively addressed the recommendation from her last inspection in order to promote good outcomes for children. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. Although the

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the early years provision

childminder is not currently caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, she is aware of the importance of inclusive practice and implementing effective strategies to ensure all children are fully included.

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the early years provision

Parents receive copies of the childminder's policies and procedures at the start and relevant information, such as her certificate of registration, is clearly displayed. This ensures that parents are kept well informed about the service she provides. Parents are kept up to date about their children's learning and care through verbal feedback, text messages, emailed photographs, daily diaries and access to their children's learning journals. Partnerships with parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are well established and parents speak highly of the care and learning their children receive.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and relaxed. They have developed very close and caring relationships with the childminder and her family. A good balance of child- initiated and adult-led play experiences ensures suitable challenge for their ages and stages of development. Children are developing their understanding of difference and diversity in the world through taking part in activities, accessing resources and discussions when looking at pictures and books. Children celebrate festivals and special events and learn to respect the similarities and differences of each other. The childminder makes lively and interesting observations of the children. These form their individual learning journals, identify possible lines of development and are used for future planning. However, systems for summative assessment have not yet been fully developed, to enable the childminder to track the children's progress and help her further identify the next steps in their

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and outcomes for children

development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are developing an interest in books and stories, which are readily available. They receive good opportunities to be creative, both at home and at the various toddler groups they attend. For example, they enjoy painting and playing with play dough. Children develop their physical skills as they scramble through the play tunnel or take part in the obstacle race at the sports day the childminder organises for them. They learn to share and take turns as they play board games. Even very young children join in with the actions to favourite songs and rhymes or point to facial features when asked to. They enjoy posting the letters into the post box or pressing the buttons on pop-up toys. Children are developing their early mark-making skills as they draw using crayons. They thoroughly enjoy playing with water outdoors, pouring it into different containers or painting surfaces with it.

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and outcomes for children

Very young children are developing their skills as they are encouraged to clap and wave their hands.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt good hygiene practices. Older children independently access the toilet and know to wash their hands and dry them on the paper towel. Younger children have their hands wiped for them. Children do not attend if they are sick. They are developing an understanding of keeping themselves safe as they are involved in practising regular fire drills and discussions about road safety. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to roll their trousers up so they do not to trip over toys or that items might be hot. Children behave very well. They receive consistent praise for all achievements and are encouraged to show respect for each other and develop good 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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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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