Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY359674 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Vivienne Dempsey

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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 with her husband in Thornaby. The ground floor, upstairs bathroom and toilet of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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. There are currently no children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, children have recently attended who were in this age range, no young children were present at the time of the inspection. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Thornaby and Barwick childminder 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 demonstrates a warm and friendly nature, which is conducive to welcoming all children and their families. After through inspection of the childminder's resources and documentation, it was clear that she has a sound understanding of how to promote children's welfare. The childminder describes how she has developed positive relationships with parents; this enables her to meet children's needs appropriately. The childminder is keen to develop her provision and although systems for self-evaluation and monitoring are not yet developed, she demonstrates a capacity to maintain continuous improvement and promote better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for observational assessment and planning  continue to develop systems for self-evaluation to drive continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

From discussion, the childminder shows a sound knowledge and understanding of how to implement the procedures for child protection to ensure the safety and welfare of the children. She has completed training in the past and has up-to-date information on the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Checks have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 been completed on all household members and assistant to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with children. The childminder describes how she minimises the likelihood of accidents, for example, by maintaining close supervision of children and ensuring her home and garden are secure. In addition, written risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home and for outings. Records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place. For example, a daily attendance record, accident and medication books.

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the early years provision

Documentation shows that information about children's likes, dislikes and daily routines is gathered at the start, which helps the childminder to meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder describes how she is beginning to reflect on her practice. For example, she talks about attending further training and partnerships with other childminder's and working with the local authority, seeking and acting on their advice. However, a robust process of evaluation and monitoring the strengths and weakness of the provisions has not yet been fully developed. No children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attend the setting. However, the childminder demonstrates an appropriate attitude towards working with parents to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting. Satisfactory use is made of space and resources to promote care and learning. The childminder's home is welcoming to all, clean and maintained to a good standard. A suitable range of accessible toys and equipment help to promote children's independence.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well developed. The childminder explains how all parents receive a copy of her policies and procedures at the start. This ensures that parents are well informed about her setting. Parents are kept up-to-date about their child's care and daily activities through verbal feedback and daily diaries. No children currently attend any other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the childminder is aware that she needs to develop some systems to enable her to share information with other providers when they do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder speaks with warmth about the children she cares for. She demonstrates a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through discussion the childminder describes how she is providing experiences which effectively cover most areas of learning. For example, opportunities to be out in the fresh air when they go for walks in the local community. The childminder explains how she provides activities to meet children's interest and stage of learning. However, these systems for observing children's learning and development are in the early stages.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how she provides a suitable balance of adult-led activities and free-play which enables children to make satisfactory progress. She describes how children are developing early problem solving skills, as they play with simple jigsaws and construction toys. The childminder explains how she is developing children's communication skills through the use of rhymes and books This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which she reads to them or they sit independently to look at the books. In addition, children practise early mark making skills with pens and paper. Evidence and discussion show that children have opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. For example, they grow cress and plant sycamore seeds in the garden. The childminder describes how rhymes and everyday play activities are used to help children begin to develop basic numeracy

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and outcomes for children

skills. For example, they count blocks when building.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she teaches the children the importance of personal hygiene. She describes how she encourages all children to washing hands before eating and after using the bathroom. Additionally, the childminder's Health and Safety policy states that children who are sick do not attend when they are infectious. Consequently, the risk of spreading infection is reduced and the good health of other children in the setting is promoted well. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder describes how they practise road safety and fire drills. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the importance of providing healthy and balanced meals for 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: 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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