Childminder in DurhamOfsted inspection, 27 Jan 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313686 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and adult daughter, in Waterhouses. The family have a pet dog. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7am to 6pm, for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

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. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on 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's understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation stage is developing steadily. She supports children's individual needs, providing an inclusive service where a suitable range of activities are offered that children enjoy. As a result, children are making appropriate progress in their learning. She keeps parents informed about what their children are doing and collates relevant information about their needs and routines. The childminder is beginning to reflect upon her practice, but formal self-evaluation systems to identify key strengths and areas for improvement are not yet firmly established. She demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems of assessments, for example, by recording children's next steps in their learning  develop and implement systems which promote reflective practice and self- evaluation, involving parents and children in this process.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures the safety and welfare of children. She has a sound understanding of how to implement the procedures for child protection and fully understands her responsibility to protect children from harm and neglect. A suitable range of policies and procedures and reasonably well organised record- keeping, ensures that children's welfare needs are met. Her risk assessment record covers the areas children have access to and risks are identified for different outings. The childminder is trained in first aid, deals with accidents appropriately This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and keeps the required records for the administration of medicines. Suitable arrangements are in place to gather and record information in order to meet all children's individual needs, such as children's personal details, routines and likes and dislikes.

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the early years provision

The childminder has created a homely, inclusive environment where children and their parents feel welcome. She ensures that children feel valued and included and is always close by to provide appropriate support during activities. The premises are organised well to support children in becoming independent learners and to provide good space to play. The childminder has a suitable range of activities that meet the interests of all children in her care. There is also a variety of toys and resources that encourage children to understand and respect diversity and differences. Children benefit from the sound relationship the childminder has with parents. They are encouraged to share with the childminder what their children know and can do. This helps the childminder to form a foundation for their ongoing development. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress on a daily basis through verbal feedback at the end of the day. The childminder

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the early years provision

provides the parents with copies of her polices which informs them of the service she offers. Although no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities currently attend the setting, the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working with parents and taking steps, where appropriate, to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting. Children benefit from the appropriate links that have been established with other providers to ensure progression and continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve the service. Actions imposed at the previous inspection have been successfully addressed. For example, she is able to show that a first aid training course has been completed and documentation regarding administration of medication and complaints has improved. In addition to this she now has systems in place to record and monitor children's ongoing development. Some progress has been made with regard to addressing the recommendation. For example, the childminder is beginning to reflect upon her practice. However, formal self-evaluation systems to identify key strengths and areas for improvement and involve parents and children in this process are not yet firmly established.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder develops warm, caring relationships with children, meaning children settle quickly and become fully included within the setting. She has begun to undertake sensitive observations of the children and records the information in individual development folders which she compliments by using photographs and samples of their artwork. Within the records links to the areas of learning are being made. However, she is not yet identifying children's next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Involved in the children's activities, the childminder helps and encourages them to move onto different activities when appropriate, so that they are fully occupied and remain interested in their play, asking appropriate open-ended questions that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make them think and respond. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to the development of their imaginative, creative and language skills, such as dressing up, reading, drawing, painting, baking and gluing. Children's social skills are nurtured and they enjoy good, friendly relationships with each other. Children show a growing awareness of shape, number and colour during everyday routines. For example, as they have lunch they count out the pieces of bread and discuss whether they are triangle or square shaped. As the children play together they identify the colour of the dresses they wear and ask for specific coloured plates

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and outcomes for children

and cups. Children learn about the community they live in through visits to local facilities, including the park and travelling on the local bus to visit Durham City. The childminder is a good role model who teaches the children about kindness and respect through the positive example she sets. Good behaviour is encouraged through praise and guidance is given about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a suitable range of meals and snacks which include plenty of fresh fruit. Children are encouraged to sit together at the table for their meals and this is treated as a social occasion. Appropriate hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where the childminder has good regard to the children's safety and welfare. She helps children understand about possible dangers by practising the emergency evacuation procedure regularly. Children learn about road safety as they go on outings and trips. Daily opportunities for physical and active play are incorporated into the day. They visit the park and go for country walks to visit the nearby horses and chickens. Children enjoy wheeled toys and climbing the igloo shaped climbing frame in the garden which presents appropriate challenges to their developing physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

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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