Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358023 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Donna Lancaster

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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 June 2007. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 11 and 15 years, in Billingham. The house is situated within easy walking distance of local amenities, including schools and shops. The ground floor rooms are used for childminding. Children have access to a rear garden for outdoor play. The family have guinea pigs and a budgie.

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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 these, not more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to six children aged over five years to 11 years. She provides care for children Monday to Thursday from 8am until 5.30pm for 47 weeks of the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the local childminding support group.

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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 is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where all children are valued and respected. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a wide variety of activities to promote all areas of learning. Positive relationships with parents ensure that the childminder is meeting the needs of all the children she cares for. Self-evaluation is a comparatively recent development but progressing well. However, she has some plans for future improvements, which helps to promote outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions  build upon the systems already in place for recording children's progress, including identifying children's next steps in their learning and linking these to individual planning  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all outings and trips  ensure regular evacuations drills are carried out with all children and details are recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  continue to develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evaluation and to identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children in her care. She has completed relevant training and is clear on the procedures she should follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. She has clear written policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and she ensures parents are aware of these at the onset of a placement. In addition, adults have completed suitable checks, visitors' identities are checked and an effective procedure is in place regarding a non-collection and lost child policy which further ensures their safety. Most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. For example, records of children's details and accidents. Possible hazards around the home and garden have been identified and steps taken to minimise these hazards. A written record supports this. Visual risk assessments are carried out at any venue that the

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the early years provision

childminder visits with the children to ensure their safety, however, some of these have not been included in the written risk assessments.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming environment which helps children to feel secure and valued. Children are able to make their own choices from the range of resources and furniture that are set out daily. This helps to develop their independence. The childminder rotates toys and equipment on a weekly basis to ensure children remain interested and involved in activities. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been positively addressed. This helps to improve outcomes for children. The childminder has begun to undertake a self- evaluation process to identify her strengths and areas for further improvements. However, these are in the early stages of development. The childminder successfully promotes equality of opportunity through her inclusive practice and policies. She provides a sufficient range of resources and activities which reflect our diverse society and help children develop a positive attitude towards

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and shares verbal information with them on a daily basis to inform them of their children's progress. Parents benefit from the well-organised range of policies and procedures which informs them of her provision and the care she provides. They are encouraged to be involved in supporting their children's learning and development at home through daily discussions. The childminder has not yet established firm links with other provisions that children attend, in order that she may complement the learning taking place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere and children thoroughly enjoy their time with her. They share lots of cuddles and physical closeness, so that they feel secure, which helps to promote children's confidence and sense of trust. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she knows the children well. The childminder provides a suitable balance of adult-led activities and free-play which enables children to make steady progress. Individual files for each of the children have been developed. These include some photographs, some of the children's art work and some written observations. These observations are mostly linked to all areas of learning. However, the next steps in children's learning is not always clearly recorded or incorporated into future planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing communication, literacy and language skills as they read stories and look at the pictures in the books by themselves and with the childminder. Number recognition is encouraged as the childminder repeats the names of numbers and uses them in their play. For example, the childminder asks what the numbers are on the large floor jigsaw. The childminder joins in with children's activities as she encourages their language skills. For example, she repeats sounds and encourages the children to say new words. Outings into the local environment help children to learn about their own community as they visit local parks and amenities. Children are provided with good opportunities to develop their social skills as they regularly attend toddler groups where they have opportunities to play and share with children of similar ages and stages of development. Children have satisfactory opportunities to develop their information

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and outcomes for children

and technology skills as they access and use programmable toys. Children enjoy exploring and investigating in the garden. They count how many spots are on the ladybird, collect small and large snail shells and look at the frog and insects through the investigation pots and the magnifying glass. Children develop their creativity as they experiment with paint, glue and tissue paper and benefit from regularly walks to and from school and visits to other childminder's homes. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the garden, riding on the bikes, climbing up the slide, doing the hoola hoops and pretending that the insects are chasing them around the patio area. This all helps to develop their physical skills. Children begin to use their imagination well as they make lunch and cups of tea for the adults present.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted well by the childminder. She is very patient and responsive to children's individual needs and ensures they feel comfortable and secure in her care. The childminder provides lots of positive praise and encouragement which promotes children's good behaviour. Home-made meals are prepared for children and the childminder consults with them about what they would like for snack. They are helped to learn about healthy choices through the input of the childminder during imaginative play. For example, as they pretend to cut up the carrots whilst the childminder is preparing the vegetables for lunch, they talk about how eating carrots 'helps you to see in the dark' and eating healthy foods 'make you as tall as the ceiling'. The childminder follows good hygiene practices, such as clear nappy changing procedures. She encourages children to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

wash their hands at appropriate times and children can clearly recite the reasons why they need to do this. In addition, children are encouraged to use tissues and to dispose of them appropriately, this further prevents the spread of infection. The childminder also follows children's individual routines for sleeping and eating. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. On outings the childminder helps them to understand how to cross the road safely by waiting for the cars to stop and holding hands before crossing the road. Regular evacuations of the home are practised; however, not all of the children attending have practised a fire evacuation of the premises. Therefore, some children are not fully aware of how to get out of the house in an emergency. 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 2 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 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 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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