Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349988 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 2007. She lives in Thornaby with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. Her husband is an assistant. There are currently ten children on roll in this age group who attend on a part-time basis. She also provides care for older children. The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday, all year round. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. The family keep chickens.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides excellent care and education for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She successfully manages to provide a highly stimulating learning environment whilst maintaining a welcoming, homely atmosphere. Children are very much valued and respected as individuals. Partnerships with parents are exemplary and they are fully involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. There are extremely effective systems in place to evaluate the provision and the childminder is fully committed to continually improving the provision for all children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to monitor the provision to maintain the already high standards.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount and is fully aware of her role in protecting children. Checks have been completed on all household members, to ensure they are suitable to be in regular contact with children. Details of visitors to her home when childcare is provided are recorded and an accurate record of children's attendance is maintained. Comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken. These are fully recorded so that she can be sure all potential risks to children are identified and effective steps taken to minimise any dangers. Documentation is extremely well organised which helps to maintain the safe and efficient management of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 setting. Detailed, well written polices clearly reflect the high quality provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent commitment to maintaining continuous provision. She continually strives to better her practice so she can provide the best possible care for children. A wide range of evaluation tools are used very successfully to help her identify areas for development. These include the Ofsted self-evaluation form and parents and children's questionnaires. She liaises with other practitioners to share good practice and works in full partnership with advisors from the local authority in order to develop the provision. She attends frequent and regular training and uses the internet and childcare publications to further enhance her childcare knowledge. Since her last inspection she has completed a Level 3 childcare qualification. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and are used exceptionally well to promote outcomes for children. Space is used to its maximum potential, is managed very well and is carefully

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the early years provision

looked after. All children are celebrated and highly valued as individuals. Many examples of their work are proudly displayed around the home and children delight in looking at the many photographs of themselves both in books and on the digital photo frame. It is obvious that children feel a true sense of belonging in the childminder's home. Children's appreciation and awareness of differences is raised and fostered extremely well. They engage in many activities such as making splatter patterns for Holi, rabbit masks and moon cakes for Chinese New Year and engage in a wealth of activities to celebrate Christmas. An exceptional range of resources that reflect positive images of the diverse society in which they live are readily available on a day-to-day basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed close but professional relationships with the families of the children she cares for. All parents speak extremely highly of the provision including comments, such as, 'my child would go every day if he could'. They are consistently informed of their child's care, achievements and progress. Termly newsletters help to keep them informed of the provision. The links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are well-established and there is a very positive approach to sharing skills and information. This allows for good continuity of children's learning and care needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and settled. The childminder is relaxed, friendly and affectionate with the children and demonstrates much enthusiasm for her work. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn and of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this knowledge to provide rich, varied and imaginative experiences that meet the needs of all children exceedingly well. Parents are fully consulted and help to fill in baseline assessment sheets when their child first starts at the provision. This gives the childminder accurate information about children's starting points so she can plan appropriately. Observations are recorded and kept in individual folders which clearly show children's learning journeys. She has established a planning cycle which enables her to regularly review and reflect on her practice and to build in next steps for children. Summative assessments are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

completed. These indicate that children are making significant gains in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely well behaved. They play alongside and with each other contentedly and are happy to share resources and the childminder's attention. They are very helpful, sweeping up after a craft activity and tidying up jigsaws when they have finished. They have access to an extensive range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. They love looking at these both by themselves and with the childminder when they cuddle up close to her. The childminder skilfully extends children's learning. For example, after reading 'Jack and the Beanstalk' the children planted their own beans and have much fun measuring to see which is the biggest. Activities such as this result in children gaining an increasing understanding of number and size. They successfully sort the Russian dolls and are able to point out which of the dolls are small and which are big. There are exceptional opportunities for them to learn about the wider world, as they participate in a wealth of outings

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and outcomes for children

in local community and further. They enjoy many walks including outings to collect conkers and leaves for craft activities. They also go on trips further afield to places such as a farm, Saltburn and York, occasionally enjoying the treat of travelling by public transport. They regularly attend social groups, meeting up with other children and accessing additional well planned activities in venues such as Childrens Centres. Children love being outdoors in the fresh air and love helping the childminder to collect eggs laid by the chickens and tending their vegetable plot.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit greatly from extensive outdoor activities. They love being in the garden and enjoy many outings to places such as the park and the beach. They regularly use soft play centres and join in with fitness activities at the children's centre. Consequently they are gaining a secure understanding of the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. High standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained throughout all areas. Children follow good hygiene routines such as washing their hands when appropriate. The childminder uses role play and popular stories very well to reinforce children's understanding of how to keep safe and protect themselves from harm. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1 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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