Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY319870 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Pope

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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and 12 years. They live in the residential area of Morpeth in Northumberland. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged 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. She also offers care to children aged over five years. Currently there seven children that attend in this age group. The childminder cares for children seven days a week from 7am to 6pm for 49 weeks of the year. She escorts children to and from the local school. She attends toddler

p.4

Description of the childminding

groups on a regular basis. The family has two budgies.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a welcoming and inclusive environment to all children and their families. She demonstrates a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and children make good progress. Their safety and security is given priority, with good systems in place to help children learn how to keep themselves safe. She works very well with parents in order to meet children's individual needs. The quality of service, care and education provided is assessed and evaluated and areas for further improvement have been identified.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 consistently analyse and use what you have found out about the children to plan for the next steps in their learning  involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process.

p.4

the early years provision

Personally written policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. This is reflected in her understanding of the procedures she would follow should she have a child protection concern. Records have been developed and are maintained with care and attention to detail. For example, written risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and any outings that children go on. This ensures that children are cared for in a very safe environment. The childminder provides a welcoming environment which helps children to feel very secure and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 valued. There are a wide variety of resources and furniture which are age and ability appropriate and are well maintained and checked on a regular basis. The focus of activities is on the child's interests which helps them to achieve planned

p.4

the early years provision

goals. Children that attend with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their needs met as the childminder liaises closely with parents. Resources are available in boxes where children can make their choices about activities which develop their independence. Children's artwork and posters are displayed on the dining room wall. These include words of welcome in different languages which help children to realise that words can be written in different ways around the world.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is strongly committed to improvement and professional development. She holds childcare qualifications and attends further training and workshops to update her skills and knowledge. For example, courses for risk assessment and inclusive childminding and diversity have been attended. She has identified the strengths, weaknesses and overall quality of her service and made good use of her findings to develop the provision. For example, she produced a questionnaire for parents to complete, asking what they thought of the quality of her service. A good response was received back and she took into account the findings to make some changes, such as altering the menu. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been implemented into her practice. For example, all parents were requested to give their consent for her to seek emergency medical treatment or advice should the need arise.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has developed a strong and effective relationship with parents and there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. Along with discussions, a daily diary is completed for each child detailing activities that they have taken part in and how they managed. This encourages parents to extend their child's learning at home. However, information that they pass on about their child's achievements at home has not been added to their child's record of development to give a full picture. The written policies and procedures are shared with parents when their child first starts so that they understand how the provision is run. The childminder passes on care information to any other provisions that children attend as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She notes which activities they are involved in there and continues their learning while she cares for them. This promotes continuity of their care and learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage which is implemented well into her everyday practice. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with her and thrive in the stimulating and caring environment. Settling in visits are offered to new children which enables a smooth transition from their home to her care. Information is sought from parents about their child's likes, dislikes, needs and interests which the childminder uses to plan appropriate activities. Continual assessment of the child's development is carried out and the childminder keeps a written record which links into the Early Years Foundation Stage of their achievements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Occasionally she notes the next step in their learning and development, though this is not done consistently enough to inform future plans.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has formed warm, caring relationships with the children and they have settled well into her care. Children confidently play well on their own, with each other and with the childminder. Their language skills develop as they begin to communicate in areas that interest them. They show a love of books as they enjoy listening to the childminder read a story and they predict what might happen next. Early problem solving is incorporated into everyday activities. At snack time they count how many pieces of fruit there are and how many are left when they take one away. Numbers are used spontaneously as they count up to 17 pieces of play food. Regular outings are made into the local environment and the childminder takes the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of a wider world as they investigate how a water wheel works at the park. Children use their imagination well as they play with the toy kitchen. They pretend to buy the toy

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is enhanced as the childminder demonstrates acceptable behaviour and practice. She has a calm, consistent attitude to caring for them. She sets clear boundaries which she promotes through lots of praise for their efforts. This results in children being well behaved. Children take part in the community in which they live by regularly visiting toddler group where they learn to mix with other children and make friends. They show a good understanding of the need to share resources, for example, sharing the fruit at snack time and offering some to visitors. The childminder provides a healthy and balanced diet. She plans meals on a three weekly rota sheet which she reviews every three months to fit in with children's dietary needs. She promotes children's understanding of healthy eating through discussion at meal times and through growing fruit and vegetables with them. Organisation of the home enables children

p.6

and outcomes for children

to take safe risks as they become mobile and they learn to stay safe through the childminder's guidance. On outings she discusses how to cross the road safely and gives timely reminders in the home. Appropriate procedures are in place should a child fall ill while in her care and the sickness policy is discussed with parents. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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