Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313794 Inspection date 09/02/2011 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the residential area of Consett, County Durham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. The family has a pet rabbit.

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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 range. She currently has one child on roll in the early years range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and currently there are three children on roll in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works alongside a named assistant who at agreed times can take sole responsibility for children. She also regularly cares for her three grandchildren. The childminder escorts children to and from the local school and attends several toddler groups. She is a member of West Derwentside Childminding Network.

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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

All children are very warmly welcomed by the friendly and dedicated childminder. Children's individuality and interests are respected and nurtured by the childminder which ensures they are valued and fully included. Children's welfare is promoted very well and is underpinned by mostly comprehensive policies, procedures and documentation. The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide range of activities for children which cover all areas of learning; this enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. Systems for observations and assessments are being developed. An effective procedure to evaluate the care and education provided, along with a genuine commitment to developing her practice, ensure that continual improvements are made.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for observing and recording children's development and progress, ensuring this links effectively with planning and includes activities for individual children's next steps  improve the record for risk assessment to ensure details of how hazardous substances will be inaccessible to children is accurately defined  further develop the opportunities for parents to contribute to children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning and development to assist planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. There are effective vetting procedures which ensure that all adults living on the premises or having contact with children are suitable to do so. For example, all adults hold relevant checks and clearances. The childminder ensures her knowledge and understanding is kept fully up-to-date by attending a wide range of training events, such as, safeguarding and first aid training. She is confident to report any child protection concerns following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. This is supported by a detailed written policy which includes procedures to follow should she have a concern. The childminder conducts systematic risk assessments and daily checks that ensure all potential hazards to children are effectively minimised. However, the record does not clearly reflect the procedures in place to ensure hazardous materials are inaccessible to children.

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the early years provision

Children's play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The childminder is taking appropriate steps to ensure her provision and environment is sustainable. Children regularly recycle materials to make models and she also uses her local resource library to access different resources. There is a good range of outdoor equipment to promote children's all- round development. Children access toys and resources indoors which are of a high quality and support their learning and development. Children are valued and their differing backgrounds and abilities are respected. Through the wide range of resources, activities and discussion, including the childminder's positive role modelling, children are encouraged to learn about the wider world and to respect difference. Inclusive practice is well addressed and individual children feel a sense of belonging. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is well

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the early years provision

promoted through their access to a suitable range of resources, activities and discussion about similarities and differences. Systems for self-evaluation are effective with the childminder being able to identify her strengths and weaknesses well. She is passionate about the children in her care and gains written feedback from parents, her local authority and other childminders to give her an optimal view of the service she provides. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improving her provision by attending regular training. She has successfully completed the recommendations from the last inspection. This improves outcomes for children's well-being and safety.

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the early years provision

Good systems are in place to ensure each child's uniqueness and individual needs are recognised and met. The childminder obtains all necessary information with regards to the children's care and learning in advance of a child being admitted to the setting through thorough discussions with parents. She then continues to work closely with parents to ensure children make continual progress. Parents receive written copies of all policies and procedures. Consequently, parents understand the service provided and have all the necessary information to hand. The childminder values the importance of partnership working with parents and ensures they are kept informed of their children's day through regular discussions and written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diaries. Parents speak very highly of the care and learning the childminder provides, stating 'we are extremely satisfied with the level of care provided and the

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the early years provision

childminder and her family are wonderful role models' and 'she is a fantastic well- respected childminder within the community, the service she provides is very flexible'. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with others so that she can extend and build on children's learning. She has very good relationships with the staff at her local children's centre, nursery and local schools. Information is shared effectively to ensure continuity of children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and confident in familiar surroundings, as the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. The childminder has formed strong, loving relationships with children and they interact positively with adults. She offers clear praise consistently and this encourages children's positive behaviour. As a result, children are at ease in the setting and clearly enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder is committed to the care and education of children and implements effective methods using routine activities to fully promote children's learning. This means that children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The child-friendly environment encourages children's play as they are free to move around and develop their growing mobility and physical skills. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. A wide range of activities and resources are in place to meet the children's needs

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and outcomes for children

and provide stimulating experiences across all areas of learning. The childminder includes challenges to extend children's skills. For example, they love to explore and investigate so she has compiled treasure boxes using heuristic play materials. These include items such as sponges, mirrors, spoons and various textiles, so the children can satisfy their natural curiosity and explore their senses. Children benefit from individual files which include examples of their work, photographs and observations which are linked to the areas of learning. The childminder clearly knows the children well and identifies their next steps in learning, however, it is not clear to see how these are used to inform future planning for individual children, and systems for parents to contribute to planning are not fully embedded as yet. The impact of this, however, is very low as the childminder provides a wide range of activities which are based upon children's individual needs and interests

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and outcomes for children

and she has also recognised this as an area for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are introduced to and become actively involved in community groups that promote a broad range of activities, such as, toddler groups and 'rhyme time', as well as regular visits to the parks and library. This also helps to broaden children's range of experiences and supports their social skills and awareness of the wider world around them. Children's enthusiasm and self-esteem grow as they are praised and rewarded with smiles and hugs. Children participate in interesting and imaginative creative experiences which effectively nurture their self-expression while having a lot of fun. Babies love to experiment with musical instruments, such as, maraca's and cow bells, as they create music and sounds. Children are beginning to learn about the outdoor environment and the world around them as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they plant and nurture seeds. Babies are beginning to show an interest in books as

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and outcomes for children

they investigate 'touchy feely' books and look at simple picture books. Children's communication skills are consistently fostered, resulting in lovely interactions between themselves and the childminder. All these experiences promote children's early language and technological development and enable children to develop skills necessary to their future success. Children have opportunities to explore aspects of quantity, measurement and problem-solving within their play, for example, when taking part in baking activities and using tubes and cylinders. All children have opportunities to explore mark making with pencils, crayons and paint. Children love to explore and investigate with the vast range of 'cause and effect' toys. They delight in pressing the buttons and listening to the different sounds using the interactive giraffe. This helps them to develop skills for the future 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 2

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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

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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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