Childminder in Cumbria

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY409233 Inspection date 08/12/2010 Inspector Val Block

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives with her partner and three children. One child is 18 months old and there are twins aged 11 years. They live in the village of Houghton, near to Carlisle, Cumbria. The house is within walking distance of local amenities and schools. The entire house is used for childminding apart from the conservatory and garden. The childminder uses local parks for children's outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time under eight years of age. She currently is minding two children in the early years age group as well as two older children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Her childminding service is open Monday to Friday throughout the year. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives advice and support from the Local Authority Advisor. The family has two cats and a dog.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making progress and are suitably cared for, as the childminder has satisfactory systems in place to ensure their overall well-being. The childminder promotes an inclusive, healthy and safe environment and knows each child well. The childminder has made a reasonable start in evaluating her service and prioritising areas for improvement. There are effective partnerships in place with parents. Systems are in place to liaise with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review and improve assessment and planning procedures to help children make progress in their learning and development  improve play equipment and activity planning to promote children's understanding of diversity  improve children's access to play equipment.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has been on a recent course about child protection. She has a clear safeguarding policy that is shared with parents for their information. She has all the necessary information to be able to take appropriate action if necessary. All required records and policies to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's continuing good health and safety are in place. The childminder has written a clear set of policies and procedures about her service that is available to parents for their information. She also has developed documentation to record children's daily events for parents' information.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's health and safety are promoted well. Risk assessments are robust and regularly reviewed. The childminder conducts daily checks to ensure that the premises are safe for children. Children are protected from cross-infection as the childminder practises good systems to keep children free from infection. They can help themselves to tissues and are closely monitored and reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet. The nappy change prevents cross-infection.

p.5

the early years provision

The play area for children is bright and clean with child-sized furniture and a satisfactory range of accessible play equipment that meets children's needs. The childminder hopes to make changes in the future to her garden to make it safe for children to use. In the meantime, she regularly uses children's play groups and local parks to give children fresh air and exercise. The childminder has limited space, so she rotates the selection of play equipment on offer to children. She has no system to explain to children what play equipment is available to them from the storage area. This prevents children from fully choosing from the entire play equipment and activities on offer.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder makes satisfactory use of resources available to her setting. For example, she uses children's groups in the area, as well as the internet and periodicals. The childminder has made a reasonable start using self-evaluation tools and has made plans to improve her service, including seeking help to improve her understanding of activity planning. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the need for professional development and maintaining continuous improvements. Training has been undertaken and the childminder gives serious consideration to support and advice received from the local authority advisor.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents generally receive a good amount of information about the setting and their children. However, information about the children's learning and development is in the early stages as children have not been attending the setting for very long and the childminder is trying out new systems. Parents are encouraged to keep the childminder informed about their children through daily diaries.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder satisfactorily promotes inclusion as she has ensured all policies are anti-discriminatory. She has an adequate amount of play equipment and activities that promote children's learning about diversity. She exchanges information, as required, with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage for children's benefit.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and are making good progress. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and makes warm, nurturing relationships with children. She uses praise and shows good patience This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with children, so encouraging them to develop good behaviour and a positive attitude to learning. Parents' information about the children is sought to establish children's starting points and progress. However, written questions for parents about children's starting points are weighted to welfare and personal, social and emotional development areas rather than general learning and development. Observations and assessments are also regularly undertaken to establish children's next steps in learning. Information is exchanged with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to inform assessments and activity plans. Parents receive

p.5

and outcomes for children

regular information about their children's progress but this does not always clearly advise of the children's next steps in learning. Activity planning is rudimentary, although children's daily and weekly activities cover all the areas of learning to some extent and include activities that follow children's interests.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy exploring the activities, books and toys on offer. The childminder uses language to describe position and size as children explore construction toys, so promoting children's mathematical language. Some of the construction equipment is very small and younger children are supported to join in this activity with older children safely. They proudly show the Christmas cards that they have made earlier using glue and glitter. They are helped to write in the card for their parents. The childminder helps children learn about good citizenship through including them in recycling materials in the home. Photographs show children enjoying outdoor play, as well as learning about the world as they plant seeds and watch them grow. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8