Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396801 Inspection date 08/12/2010 Inspector Donna 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 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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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 2009. She lives with her husband and their children aged four months and nine years in Ferryhill, County Durham. Children have access to the ground floor of the home. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a rear yard for outdoor play. The home is close to local amenities, including shops, schools, pre-schools and parks. The family has two terrapins.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently caring for four children, of whom three are in the early years age group. The childminder operates for 50 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday from 7am till 6pm, however, this is negotiable with parents. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. She is a member of the childminding network.

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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

The childminder creates a friendly, caring and inclusive environment in which children are happy and secure. Sufficient information regarding children's care is obtained from parents and daily communication is exchanged. Most records and documentation are in place to promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder has a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children are making sound progress in their learning and development. Systems for self-evaluation are evolving as a means to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the risk assessment further to clearly state when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 29/12/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop practice to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  build upon the systems already in place for recording children's progress, including identifying children's next steps in their learning and linking these to individual planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions and parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child in her care. In addition, all adults have completed relevant checks with Ofsted. This ensures that children are cared for by suitable people and their welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately. Relevant risk assessments are in place to ensure children's safety, both indoors and outdoors and daily checks maintain a safe environment for children. However, record of when the risk assessment is carried out and by whom is not retained. This is a legal requirement which has not been met. A selection of policies and procedures are in place and implemented sufficiently well to promote the care, welfare and learning of all children. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course minimising the risks to children should they have a minor accident. There is a clear record of attendance and accidents, and any

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the early years provision

administrations of medication are recorded as necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has addressed the actions raised at the previous inspection. As a result, all required documentation and suitable procedures to observe and plan for individual children are now in place, this helps to promote outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates a suitable vision and commitment of how she wants to improve the quality of her provision, including attending further training to develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. She has recently joined the local childminding network and she has had advice from the local authority's development officer. However, formal procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice are not fully developed. The childminder's home is welcoming to all, clean and maintained to a suitable standard. She provides an inclusive service which is welcoming to children and parents alike. The childminder has a suitable range of toys and resources, some of which children are able to freely

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the early years provision

The childminder has friendly relationships with parents. She ensures that she has relevant information about children's personal care, and emergency contact details are in place. The childminder discusses with them how she works at the initial meeting and keeps them informed about their child's care and activities through regular verbal feedback. However, she has not fully developed her systems with parents to enable them to become involved in adding comments to children's learning and development records. Suitable links with the local nursery ensures that the childminder is aware of topics which the children are covering, so that she can complement activities and continue to develop children's learning. However, she has not developed such links with the local school children attend. The childminder has no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she demonstrates a positive attitude towards working with parents to

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the early years provision

ensure that all children are included at the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. She provides a warm caring environment in which all children and families are welcomed. The childminder has a sound knowledge of how children learn and develop, and is beginning to use the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage to help her meet the requirements. She provides a satisfactory range of activities for children. These help children develop skills for the future. She observes and makes some notes about what children can do. However, these are not yet linked to the early learning goals to measure children's progress, nor do they identify their next steps, to enable planning to be tailored for the individual child.

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and outcomes for children

A suitable range of jigsaws and games, such as shape sorters helps children to begin to develop their problem solving skills. In addition, young children sit for extended periods of time fixing the doors on the dolls house. They use their imagination as they talk about putting the dolls to bed for a 'nap because they are tired'. Children begin to share and take turns as each of them have a turn at pressing the buttons on the interactive story book. The children have some opportunities to be creative, for example, they choose coloured pencils to draw pictures. Visits to toddler groups provide further opportunities for children to be creative and to socialise with their peers. Children have daily opportunities to exercise and fresh air as they walk to and from nursery and school. This along with visits to soft play areas promotes their physical development. The childminder encourages the use of numbers through general activities throughout the day,

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and outcomes for children

such as counting the jigsaw pieces as they put them back in the box and singing number rhyme songs. Baking activities also help to increase their understanding of numbers and counting. She raises their knowledge and understanding of the world by going out in the local environment as they visit the shops and local parks.

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and outcomes for children

Good standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout all childminding areas. Younger children are beginning to learn about taking turns and sharing. Older children have a growing acceptance of rules and boundaries. Children enjoy healthy snacks, which include fresh fruit. Parents provide meals which are stored and warmed appropriately. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's daily food intake and she encourages them to provided healthy options for their meals. Young children are beginning to be aware of following appropriate hygiene routines as the childminder acts as a positive role model. She encourages children to wash their hands at appropriate times, while babies' hands and faces are washed with baby wipes. There is a clear procedure for when children are unwell, which the childminder shares with parents, to further reduce the risk of cross- infection. Children learn to keep safe as they discuss road safety and practise an

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and outcomes for children

emergency evacuation of the premises. The childminder gives children lots of praise and encouragement which develops children's self-esteem. 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 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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