Childminder in Stockton-on-TeesOfsted inspection, 14 Apr 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY263313 Inspection date 14/04/2011 Inspector Karen Tervit

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Ingleby Barwick. The childminder uses the whole of her home for childminding purposes, apart from the ground and second floor bedrooms. There is an enclosed garden 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 four 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 three children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage and attend on a full or part-time basis. 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. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network group.

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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

Children are warmly welcomed into a safe and stimulating environment. They are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and knows the children and their families well. Overall, partnerships with parents are good. Detailed observations are mostly used well to inform her practice. Effective policies and procedures are maintained to ensure children are safeguarded. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice, resulting in a sound capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance activity planning by completing summative assessments at particular points in time so children's progress can be tracked  further develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation, and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  further develop the existing information gathered from parents to include children's starting points in their learning and encourage their ongoing contributions to their children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected. The childminder has recently completed further training in child protection issues and is clear about what action she should take if there are concerns regarding the welfare of a child in her care. All suitability checks are completed for both the childminder and other adult This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 household members, and all required documentation is in place and accurately maintained. Children are closely supervised at all times and are never left alone with anyone who has not been vetted. Their safety is promoted and potential hazards are identified and minimised. There is a comprehensive record of risk assessments, which clearly highlights potential hazards within the home and on outings. The childminder has current first aid training and has good procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and administration of medication. Consequently,

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the early years provision

children are well protected in the event of minor accidents and illness.

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the early years provision

Children play in a well-organised, spacious family home where they are able to independently explore their environment. Children benefit from use of a dedicated playroom as well as an exciting outdoor environment. They make independent choices and decisions about what they want to play with from a wide range of accessible resources. The childminder supplements her own resources with those she borrows from the local toy library. Children access a selection of resources and planned activities which help promote their understanding of the differences and diversity in the world around them. The childminder is beginning to use self- evaluation as a means to identify her strengths and weaknesses. However, this is in the early stages of development. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improving her provision. She is constantly looking at ways to improve her service. This includes making good use of the local authority support

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the early years provision

services, attending training and sharing good practice with other childminders. She has positively addressed the recommendations from her previous inspection so as to promote better outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established a positive relationship and partnership with parents. She provides a wide range of written information for parents. This includes a detailed set of policies and procedures. Parents are actively encouraged to share some information about their child at admission. The childminder has not yet started to collect parents' views on the service she provides. She understands the importance of developing effective relationships with other providers, although currently there are no children on roll who attend other early years provisions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a relaxed and homely environment where they are happy and settle well. Warm and caring relationships are formed with the childminder and her family. Children are well behaved. Their behaviour is managed in a calm and consistent manner, with the focus being very much on positive behaviour. Children are praised constantly as they play. They learn to share and take turns in activities, particularly with favourite items, such as push chairs. Children's understanding of how to stay safe is promoted as they learn about road and fire safety. They understand to hold hands or be securely strapped into the buggy when out walking. Children take part in regular fire evacuation practices so that they know what to do in an emergency. Children learn about good hygiene and why it is important as they wash their hands before eating. Children are developing their knowledge of healthy foods through a variety of planned activities and

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and outcomes for children

discussions. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy themselves and have fun. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play and focuses on providing an enjoyable learning environment in which children feel valued and their confidence is promoted. The childminder knows the children well and follows their interests. She uses the Early Years Foundation Stage framework effectively to ensure children make good progress in their learning. The childminder completes simple observations of what children do. She highlights next steps in children's development; however, procedures to show how progress is assessed are not always clear.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a keen interest in exploring the treasure basket of different coloured small balls. They show delight as they roll the ball back and forth with the childminder. The childminder encourages young children to be independent and learn social skills, such as helping to tidy up and using manners. Children enjoy dressing up in the Japanese outfits and exploring the sounds musical instruments make from different cultures. Counting is incorporated into their everyday routine and in activities, for example, they count the stairs as they access the living room. Children are beginning to develop skills for simple problem solving as they concentrate well to fit the pieces into the jigsaws and build the large wooden train track. Early mark making skills are encouraged as children attempt to use a wide variety of tools, such as, crayons, paintbrushes and pencils to make marks. They are developing their imaginitive skills as they make the childminder cups of tea.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder joins in with their activities as she encourages their language skills. For example, she repeats sounds and encourages the children to say new words when looking at the pictures in the books. Children are developing good physical skills as they dig in the sand and pour it into different containers. They receive good opportunities to socialise with their peers at the various toddler groups they attend. 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 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 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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