Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290297 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 was registered in 2004. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Lobley hill, Gateshead with her partner, adult son and child aged seven years. The home is situated in a residential area close to local schools, shops and library. The ground floor of the home and a bathroom and bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden and patio area for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers care to seven children aged over five years. Some children attend on a part-time basis and the childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification and the diploma in home-based childcare.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises and values each child's uniqueness and individuality. Therefore, they receive excellent care and learning opportunities so that they make very good progress. Their health, welfare and individual needs are very well met by a competent and committed childminder who works extremely well with parents and other professionals involved in the children's care. She continually reflects on her practice and has clear plans for the future to develop the indoor and outdoor environment for the children's benefit.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 recording details of fire drills carried out

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the early years provision

All adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with children. She has a clear understanding of safeguarding and knows what to do if she has any concerns about a child. Her written risk assessments and daily safety check lists are highly comprehensive and use of appropriate child safety equipment within the home ensures that children are protected well from hazards. Although the childminder states that she regularly carries out fire drills with the children and has not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encountered any problems, these are not documented. The environment is warm and welcoming with dedicated space so that children play creatively or quietly. She uses an assistant as necessary to ensure that there is always an adult to support the children whichever room they choose to play in. Toys and resources are of high quality and easily accessible, so that children self-select independently. They

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the early years provision

often use everyday objects such as cardboard boxes to make robots and old Christmas cards to make Christmas tags, thus teaching them that used items can be recycled and have another purpose.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly dedicated to the children that she cares for. She is well aware of each child's individual needs and is very competent in caring for children with special educational needs and English as a second language to ensure that they learn and develop fully. She promotes a highly inclusive environment where she has high expectations and supports children extremely well to ensure that they reach their full potential. She works highly effectively with parents and other professionals involved in the children's care, so that all adults promote children's individual needs, welfare and development successfully in partnership.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to continuous improvement. Although she has not completed the self-evaluation form she regularly reflects on practice; for example, by retaining information on what activities went well and what she would change. She also shares best practice with other childminders so that she continually strives to provide a high quality service to children and parents.

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the early years provision

Documentation is meticulously organised. She has contracts in place and provides parents with a 'Welcome Pack,' which contains useful information. She finds out about the children before they start such as, likes, routines, favourite food, songs, toys and what they enjoy doing so that she has a good insight into their preferences to help her plan their care effectively. Verbal feedback is given to parents on a daily basis and good information is displayed and readily available in the hallway. The abundance of 'thank you' cards received over the years shows that parents are very pleased with the provision.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and what she needs to do to help them progress. For example, as she has an excellent understanding of each child's individual needs, she is able to plan particular activities and provide specific equipment that targets certain areas of children's development such as speech, coordination and balancing skills. She records observations and takes photographs to show parents how their children are enjoying and achieving while they are with her. Children participate in a wealth of activities both inside and outside of the home. She links up with a close network of childminders in the area and they attend various children's centres for activities, go on interesting outings, such as, to the beach, fruit picking and to the 'Discovery Museum,' which promotes children's social development and skills for the future. Children regularly make their own play dough, bake, ice biscuits, plant vegetables,

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 feed birds, collect insects to look at and use lots of art and craft materials freely. This promotes their creativity, thinking skills and knowledge and understanding of the world extremely well, so that their all round development needs are very well met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are highly self-assured. They know what they want to do as they confidently choose to paint and draw at the child-size table. They clearly enjoy this activity as they choose colours, use paint brushes and printing objects with good control to achieve their aim. They state who their pictures are for and the childminder joins in with conversations about the people they are painting for and they tell her where they should put their pictures to dry. She encourages them to write their name on their pictures, so that children proudly make marks and hold their picture up, showing her that they have 'done it.' This helps them to develop excellent pencil control at a very early age and gives them confidence with early writing skills promoting a very good sense of achievement and boosts their self- esteem. Children count spontaneously when using blocks and the childminder encourages them to count in context with one block at a time, thus encouraging

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and outcomes for children

their mathematical skills through meaningful experiences. They also sing spontaneously to the familiar songs on the tape demonstrating a very high sense of security and contentment. Their behaviour is very good as they are learning to share and take turns with the positive support of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow a healthy lifestyle as they get fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. There is a very good range of large play equipment, such as, slides, sturdy tunnel and newly purchased climbing and balancing equipment for the garden, to help promote children's all round physical development. The childminder adheres to any special diets and prepares fresh wholesome food from her varied menu for the children. Their drinks are readily available to them in their individual cups to ensure that their nutritional needs are very well met. They have a very strong sense of security and belonging within the setting. The environment is comfortable with soft lighting and children's music playing and the high quality interaction from the childminder and excellent relationships that have been formed ensure that children feel safe with the childminder. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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