Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305650 Inspection date 13/01/2011 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult sons who are registered to work as her assistants in the Seaburn Dene area of Sunderland. The family have two pet dogs. The whole of the ground floor, except the conservatory, and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding 14 children of which eight are in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local schools and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very well cared for by the experienced and dedicated childminder who demonstrates a genuine commitment to supporting the needs of all children in her care. She provides an inclusive and welcoming environment; working effectively with parents and other providers to gather information in order to meet children's individual needs. The wide range of experiences provided for children, combined with enthusiastic teaching, ensures all those attending have exceedingly good opportunities to make excellent progress in all areas of learning. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards developing her knowledge of good quality childcare however; systems for identifying key priorities for development are still being developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development. 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 effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Children's safety is further promoted as the childminder has completed and recorded risk assessments for the home, garden and outings. This is combined with daily checks and the effective use of appropriate safety procedures such as using stair gates, keeping external doors locked and close supervision of children at all times. All required records for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and effectively maintained, including children's details and consent to obtain emergency medical treatment.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good level of commitment to developing her practice and knowledge. She has attended a wealth of training and works closely with her early years advisor and as a representative of her local childminding network to ensure her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice is up to date. All recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been positively addressed, as a result, policies are up-to-date and contain all the required information. Effective procedures such as obtaining feedback from parents and children, helps the childminder to identify her strengths. However, procedures to identify and address key areas for improvement to further promote continuous improvement have not been fully implemented.

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the early years provision

Play opportunities are promoted well as resources, time and space are used to good effect at the childminder's home. Photographs and examples of the children's work, helps to promote their sense of belonging and promotes self-esteem. A wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources are effectively organised. This enables older children to make independent choices about their play. Resources for younger children are rotated regularly and set up ready for their arrival. In doing this, the childminder takes into account their interests and next steps in learning. As a result, children remain engaged in meaningful play throughout their time with the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. She works closely with parents from the start to ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs. This ensures that all children are fully included at the setting. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides. They receive detailed information packs at the start and sign to say they have read all relevant policies. They are kept up-to-date about their child's learning and care through daily verbal feedback, daily diaries and access to their child's learning file. The two-way sharing of information provides parents with good opportunities to be involved in their child's learning. Consequently, parents speak very highly of the care and learning she provides, stating she is 'one in a million'. Close liaison with staff at the local nursery and school serves to support and promote the continuity of care and learning for all children who attend more than

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the early years provision

one 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 extremely well settled and have clearly developed very close relationships with the warm and enthusiastic childminder. She demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and offers children an excellent range of rich, varied and exciting learning opportunities which cover all areas of learning. Individual learning files contain a wealth of photographic evidence, along with examples of the children's work and detailed observations which monitor their continuing progress. As a result, children make excellent progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder; they are engrossed in play and activities which the childminder plans based on their interests and next stages in development. The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn, and makes excellent use of questioning and support to extend children's language and thinking skills. She engages fully and enthusiastically with their play. For example, as they play with cars she encourages them to count how many they have, and to identify and match colours which even the youngest children do confidently. The childminder gives high priority to help children to become autonomous in their learning, encouraging them to make their own choices and to develop valuable skills for the future. For example, older children plan activities for the school holidays and younger children make independent choices about their lunch. Planned activities such as visits to the farm and growing

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and outcomes for children

sunflowers provide excellent opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. The childminder further extends the activity to promote children's understanding of mathematical language for example, they talk about how big they have grown and find things of the same height. A wide variety of resources along with planned activities, such as celebrating the Chinese New Year ensures that children are developing a good awareness of diversity and different cultures. Children develop excellent communication, language and literacy skills. They become captivated as they listen to stories and enthusiastically join in with actions as they sing well known nursery rhymes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very secure in the clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. There knowledge about personal safety is successfully encouraged by planned activities such as trips to visit the local fire station and through everyday play. For example, as they play with the cars the childminder asks what they must do at zebra crossing and talks about waiting for the green man. Excellent procedures are in place to support children's good health. Meals are balanced and nutritious and children's dietary needs are fully taken into account. For example, cookery books for children with allergies ensure that all can be included in baking activities. Children further begin to learn about healthy lifestyles as they have try new fruits and use a small greenhouse to grow cress and beans. The childminder makes use of every opportunity to extend children's learning, for example, even plants which die are used to help children to understand about the

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and outcomes for children

effects of too much heat and too little water. Physical play is a daily part of children s routine; for example, when they go on a trip to the park or the beach they talk about the effects of exercise on their bodies. The childminder uses a very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour, which takes into account their age and understanding. The children have developed extremely secure relationships at the childminders. She describes how they all play well together and older children join in and support the young ones. Children are clearly very happy and settled in the childminders care and flourish in the warm and caring environment. 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 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

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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 2 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 1

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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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