Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305626 Inspection date 21/01/2011 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband, adult son and youngest son aged 12 years. They live in Glebe Village in Washington. The house is situated within easy walking distance of local amenities, including schools and shops. The ground floor rooms are used for childminding. Children have access to a rear garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age range; and of these not more than two may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for six children, of whom three are in the early years age group. The childminder provides care Monday to Friday from 8am until 5pm. The childminder operates for 49 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 cares for children in a warm caring environment, where they are valued as individuals and settle quickly in her care. There are suitable records and documentation in place to promote children's safety and welfare. However, a specific legal requirement has not been met. Sufficient information regarding children's care is obtained from parents and daily communication is exchanged. The childminder supports children's learning sufficiently in order for them to make satisfactory progress in their individual learning and development. Although there are some systems in place for self-evaluation and monitoring, these are not fully robust enough to ensure effective, continuous improvement in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises at all times when children are present. 11/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the range of resources to ensure all areas of children's learning are covered, including those resources and activities which promote children's awareness of different cultures and diversity  develop knowledge and understanding of how to use observations, assessment and planning systems to support children's learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Adults have completed suitable checks and visitors' identities are checked. This ensures that children are appropriately safeguarded in her care. Written risk assessments are in place, including indoors, outdoors and on outings, which further helps to protect children's safety. A selection of policies and procedures are in place 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 any accidents that have occurred, and any administrations of medication are recorded as necessary. In addition, written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is also in place. However, the childminder's assistant, who on occasions is

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the early years provision

left in sole charge of children, does not have a current first aid certificate. This is a specific legal requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to develop some systems to help her reflect on her practice and the care she provides. However, these are not fully robust enough to ensure effective, continuous improvement in all areas. The childminder has addressed the recommendations raised at her last inspection appropriately. As a result, improvements have been made to the service, which benefits children in her care. For example, children practice fire evacuation on a regular basis, potential hazards have been removed and a safeguarding policy is now in place, promoting and safeguarding children further. The childminder's home is welcoming to all, clean and maintained to a good standard. There is an adequate selection of accessible toys available to children in the designated play room. However, there are limited opportunities for children to develop skills in information technology, such as wind-up toys, battery operated toys and interactive toys. Furthermore,

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the early years provision

there are limited resources and opportunities to raise children's awareness of diversity and differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure relationship with parents and supports this by providing verbal feedback each day of what the child has been doing and how they have been. However, the ongoing systems to effectively share information about children's learning and development with parents and other providers are not in place. This does not fully support continuity of learning and care for children. The childminder ensures that she has relevant information about children's personal care, and emergency contact details are in place. The childminder shares information and her policies and procedures with parents on a regular basis. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is warm and caring and children are happy and relaxed in her care. The childminder knows the children well. They are confident in approaching the childminder and convey their individual wants and needs. For example, when they are ready for a drink and when they are tired. Children snuggle into the childminder when they have woken from their sleep, which demonstrates that children feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder has recently made some observations of children's progress. These observations are beginning to be supported with some written details and photographs of the children playing. However, she is not yet confident to link her observations to the six areas of learning or plan for children's individual next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop communication, literacy and language skills as they read stories and look at the pictures in the books with the childminder. Children enjoy playing with the trains and successfully fix the track together independently. They have further opportunities to build with bricks and move to music while joining in with actions, songs and rhymes. Children benefit from regularl walks to and from school, visits to the local park and soft play activities. This helps to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy using different media materials such as paint, glue, sand and water at the toddler group messy play sessions. They spontaneously make marks and enjoy using crayons and making pictures from the leaves they have collected. Additionally, they use numbers for counting during songs and in everyday routines.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Babies' hands and faces are regularly cleaned with baby wipes. Children do not attend if they are sick. This enables the childminder to protect others from illness and supports children's good health. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they talk about road safety and stranger danger on outings. Parents provide most of the children's meals and snacks, which are stored appropriately. Children's behaviour is managed suitably by the childminder, who explains how she uses age appropriate techniques, such as discussion and distraction, as well as encouraging children to share with one another. 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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