Childminder, Out-of school day care in Darlington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301098 Inspection date 24/11/2010 Inspector Josephine Northend

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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 1988 and re-registered on the Early Years Register in 2010. She lives with her adult daughter in the Whinfield area of Darlington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play.

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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 two children in this age group. The childminder also cares for three children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder cares for children on week days for 48 weeks of the year. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 settled in the childminder's care. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she is beginning to use observations of children involved in activities to plan for their future learning. The organisation of the childminding environment enables children to independently access a selection of play opportunities that supports their progress within their learning and development. The required paperwork for effective care of the children is in place. The childminder has not yet completed a self-evaluation of her practice however she demonstrates some commitment to improving and developing her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 further promote hygiene procedures by ensuring there is an adequate supply of clean towels for individual children  develop procedures to promote reflective practice, self evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  develop systems to share information about children's individual learning and development when children attend more than one setting to ensure continuity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has the necessary information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary and all adults living in the household have completed relevant suitability checks. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Appropriate risk assessments have been carried out to ensure that the environment is safe for children and also to ensure children are safe when on outings. The childminder has some written policies to cover a number of aspects of her service. The required paperwork is in place; the childminder has an accurate record of children's hours of attendance and prior parental permission for emergency advice or treatment has been obtained.

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the early years provision

The indoor and outdoor environments are suitably resourced. All children have easy access to an appropriate range of toys and equipment, which helps them to make suitable progress in their learning and development. The childminder does not currently care for any children with learning difficulties or disabilities; however she demonstrates a positive attitude towards ensuring that all children are fully included and clear information is gathered in order to meet their individual needs. However, there are few resources and activities in place to promote children's awareness of different cultures and diversity. Children are encouraged to share resources and develop an understanding of each others needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has implemented some improvements since her last inspection and is committed to developing her service. However the evaluation of her provision is not yet sufficiently robust to effectively monitor and plan in order to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and shows them the records she keeps on their children's development. Parents are given some written information and policies when they start to keep them informed and they are encouraged to share details about their children's development. Systems are not yet in place to share information about children's learning and development when they attend other settings to ensure continuity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident with the childminder; this contributes to them feeling safe. The childminder has appropriate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she knows the children well. She has developed suitable systems to identify children's interests and stages of development through observation. The organisation of the childminding environment enables children to independently access a varied selection of play opportunities that supports their progress within their learning and development. The childminder completes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations of children's play; however they are not yet linked to the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as the childminder wipes toddlers hands before their meals, however the use of a communal towel for older children does not fully support good hygiene procedures. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy living when involved in various activities such as brushing their own teeth and walking to and from school. They learn about healthy eating and make healthy choices at meal and snack times. They have opportunities for outdoor activities and gain a positive attitude to physical activity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing communication, literacy and language skills as they enjoy books and stories with the childminder. They are becoming confident communicators as they pick up on the initial sound of their own names and try lots of animal sounds.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning appropriately as she interacts with them at their level and becomes involved in their activities. Children enjoy playing shops and using a till with play money. This develops their skills for the future. Children enjoy creative activities and have opportunities to develop their own ideas with a range of resources such as collage materials. Children are developing their physical skills as they frequently go to the local park and on regular walks in the community.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with the children, providing regular praise and encouragement to promote self-esteem. Children are offered a variety of meals and snacks. Drinks are offered at regular times to ensure children do not get thirsty. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. They learn about stranger danger. They are beginning to understand the house rules how to share toys and equipment and to take turns. 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

 ensure there is a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints 10/12/2010

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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

 ensure there is a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints 10/12/2010

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