Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403840 Inspection date 28/06/2010 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and child aged two. They live in the residential area of Pegswood in Northumberland. The whole of the childminder’s home, except the master bedroom, is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. There are currently four children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age range. The family have two pet cats.

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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

Children are cared for by a childminder who values them as individuals and ensures their safety, well-being and health are safeguarded successfully. The childminder has only recently begun to care for children so systems to look at how she can continually improve her practice are in their infancy. She is beginning to gain an adequate understanding of most areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and learning and development requirements which results in these mostly being met. The childminder has developed good systems to enable her to provide positive outcomes for the children she cares for, which enables them to make good progress in their time at her setting.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times (Documentation). 12/07/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review, and provide opportunities for parents and carers to contribute to this process  further develop the understanding of successful partnership working with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage  provide sufficent opportunities for children to begin to develop respect for their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where the childminder follows consistent procedures to safeguard their welfare. She places a high emphasis on minimising risks in the environment to ensure that the space children use remains free from potential hazards. The childminder shows a good understanding of child protection issues. This results in her being able to effectively safeguard the children’s welfare. She shows a strong understanding of her role and responsibilities and clearly knows the steps she would take if she had concerns about a child’s welfare. Space and resources are well organised. The outdoor area is frequently used. The childminder uses space inside the premises well, while also making sure that children remain comfortable; for example, by encouraging the children to come into the living room to play when the conservatory is too hot.

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the early years provision

The childminder has only been caring for children for a short amount of time. She has some ideas as to how she wants to improve her practice which mainly focus around becoming more familiar and confident with implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is beginning to gain an adequate understanding of this framework in most areas. Systems to evaluate her practice are beginning to emerge; however, these are still in their infancy and can often lack focus on how plans will impact on the care and development of the children. The childminder promotes equality and diversity adequately in her setting. She ensures she can provide an inclusive environment for the children attending by encouraging them to play together, and providing her time and attention to support them.

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the early years provision

Good systems have been developed to work successfully in partnership with parents. Written records that inform parents what children have been doing in their time at the setting are shared on a daily basis. Comprehensive written policies and procedures are discussed during the settling in period to ensure parents are fully informed of how the setting operates. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child to enable the childminder to quickly settle children in her provision and also meet each child’s individual needs. The childminder has some good ideas as to how she will gain parents and carers views about her setting, however, these have not yet been fully implemented. Although the childminder does not currently care for any children who also attend other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage, she lacks a good knowledge of what can be achieved from these links, to help her provide a

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the early years provision

continuous learning journey for the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content, relaxed and happy in the childminder’s care. She has developed good relationships with the children she has begun to care for which results in them feeling a strong sense of belonging. They confidently approach her for support and receive cuddles from her to provide them with reassurance. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children move around the areas in the setting with ease and confidence, as the childminder listens to their views about where they would like to play. During the sessions the childminder encourages children to keep themselves safe by reminding them of behaviours that are unacceptable. On outings even the youngest children are encouraged to learn about basic road safety as they know to stop and look before they cross the road. Children move freely around the safe and secure environment. The childminder closely supervises younger children to

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and outcomes for children

ensure they remain safe. She successfully identifies and minimises potential risks through written risk assessments. However, some records, such as risk assessments and confirmation of public liability insurance, are not readily available for inspection. This means a requirement has not been fully met.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a good, healthy diet. The childminder plans meals and snacks to encourage children to try new foods and to ensure these meet their individual dietary requirements. Children thoroughly enjoy eating chopped apples, pears, grapes and blueberries for their mid-morning snack. Lunch time is a social occasion as the childminder sits with the children and allows younger children the opportunity to feed themselves and develop their independence. Children enjoy plenty of opportunities to play outdoors. The childminder ensures they are safe in the hot weather by applying sun cream and putting on sun hats. The outside space is used effectively to provide opportunities for children to explore and investigate their environment and develop their physical skills. They plant seeds and have fun playing in the tent and negotiating the slide. The childminder consistently listens to the children’s requests and brings toys and equipment out into the garden to keep

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and outcomes for children

the children motivated in their play. Children are cared for in a well maintained environment. They do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. She can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. All relevant documentation with regards to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, are in place and up-to-date.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder collects valuable information when the children begin to attend to ensure she can plan experiences that suit their individual needs. She completes initial observations to enable her to assess the children’s development in each area of learning. This provides her with a starting point to plan activities that meet both their stages of development, and their interests. She plans a range of activities that she knows they will enjoy, however, ongoing observations are not always successfully linked to the different areas of learning to show how children are making progress in all areas of their development. The childminder knows the children she cares for well. She has clear strategies to help them develop further in some areas of their learning, for example, as she encourages emerging language by consistently naming objects in the environment. The childminder is beginning to develop a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements and

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and outcomes for children

knows how she will promote this in some areas; for example, by counting every day objects.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well in the setting. The childminder provides a good example for children to encourage positive behaviour, as she thanks children for their efforts when they help to tidy away the toys. Children are helped to learn about sharing as the childminder supports younger children to take turns sitting on the trike and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pushing each other on it. The childminder provides some opportunities for children to begin to explore diversity through a few toys and resources that are available. 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 3

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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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