Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 506984 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 1994. She lives with her parents and her child aged two years. They live in the residential area of Bilton, near Alnmouth, in Northumberland. The playroom, kitchen/diner and toilet on the ground floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a enclosed garden to the front of the premises for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The family has a dog.

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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

Children are safe and settled in the childminder's care. She shows a sound understanding of the welfare requirements and how she will meet these by following relevant policies. However, she is less confident about the learning and development requirements and how to fully promote children's development. Paperwork and records mostly contain the necessary details and are adequately organised. Inclusion is adequately promoted by the childminder to ensure that all of the children benefit from the same opportunities. Self-evaluation is in its infancy. The childminder shows an adequate capacity to improve her setting. Most of the necessary consents from parents are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and welfare) 31/01/2011

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 31/01/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop records of learning and development  continue to develop a sound understanding of the areas of learning to help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children make good progress towards the early learning goals  use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

Children remain safe in the setting. The childminder completes risk assessments and daily checks to ensure that the areas children use for their play are free from hazards. However, risk assessments do not contain dates to show when they have been completed. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding. She has recently completed a child protection course and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care. This results in her being able to safeguard the children's welfare. Toys and equipment that the children use are well maintained. The childminder organises her space to ensure that she can promote the children's independence and encourage them to make choices. For example, all toys and equipment are located within children's reach in the playroom.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not yet begun to evaluate her practice, however, she does show a satisfactory understanding of her strengths and the areas that she wishes to improve. The areas she has identified, such as completing further training in childcare, will have a beneficial impact on the care and learning of the children attending. Although the childminder has moved house since her previous inspection and the issues raised were about ensuring certain areas were safe, she has still considered how she can improve safety issues in her new home. For example, she has looked at how to improve the security of the premises and moved items that may pose a risk to children into a room that is not used for childminding purposes.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents. She uses satisfactory systems to ensure that they are fully informed about how her setting operates. At the initial visit the childminder shares written policies with the parents and collects adequate information about their child's individual needs. This results in her being able to meet each child's needs. This information is also used by the childminder to set out a range of toys and equipment that she feels children will enjoy. She talks to parents daily about what their child has done and shares basic information with them about their child's development. The childminder cares for children who have recently begun to attend other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has satisfactory plans in place to work with parents to ensure she knows what children are learning in other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and settled in the childminders care. She has developed positive relationships with them and knows the children she cares for well. This allows her to plan a range of activities and experiences that will suit their individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs. Children approach the childminder with confidence for support and reassurance. She consistently supports the children by listening to their requests and helping them with certain tasks, such as showing them how to roll out the dough. The childminder encourages children to become independent. She attempts to get them to try things out for themselves, but stays nearby to provide support or guidance. Although the childminder shows a sound understanding of the welfare requirements, she is less confident in her knowledge of the different areas of learning. She provides a range of activities and free play opportunities that broadly

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and outcomes for children

promote most areas of learning but some opportunities to further extend children's development are missed. The childminder has begun to complete some basic observations about what children can do and some of these consider the next steps in children's learning. However, they lack focus on the progress children are making in their time with her, or how they are developing in all areas of learning. Planning is basic and does not sufficiently consider how children's next steps will be included to help them make as much progress as they possibly can.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from daily opportunities to be outdoors. The childminder follows a routine of the day, where children enjoy walks in the local community or attend sessions at a soft play centre. This results in children's physical development being sufficiently promoted. Children begin to learn about personal hygiene routines as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before snack time. They enjoy foods that meet their dietary needs and preferences. The children help the childminder prepare snacks as they pull the stalks off the strawberries and put them in a bowl. The childminder follows a sick children policy. This ensures that she can limit the risk of cross-infection and adequately promote the children's health. She collects sufficient information from the parents to ensure parental wishes are respected, however, written parental consent for emergency medical treatment is not in place. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. Children

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and outcomes for children

remain safe in the setting. The childminder talks to them about safety to encourage them to behave appropriately. This is mostly successful. Children are encouraged to sit properly on chairs and not to put certain items in their mouths. Regular fire evacuations are carried out with the children. This means that they know what to do in the event of any emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in a range of activities that generally meet their individual needs. They enjoy manipulating the dough as they roll and cut it, and have fun talking about the pictures they have made with pens and paints. The childminder allows the children time to explore their environment. Children freely choose from a varied range of toys and equipment that they enjoy, such as shape sorters. The childminder provides support for them to enable her to adequately extend their learning by asking them simple questions. The childminder plans some activities that help children begin to learn about diversity, although some resources to reflect this are not always freely available for them. Children make models of dragons for Chinese new year and the childminder talks to them about others who are different from themselves. Children mostly behave well in the setting. The childminder tries to encourage good behaviour by reminding them to say 'please'

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and outcomes for children

and 'thank you' which is sometimes successful. The childminder shows a satisfactory understanding of how to manage behaviour and provides an adequate role model for the 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Develop a written statement of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 31/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Ensure that copies of the written statement of complaint procedures are made available to parents. (Providing information to parents) 31/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Develop a written statement of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 31/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Ensure that copies of the written statement of complaint procedures are made available to parents. (Providing information to parents) 31/01/2011

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