Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 314000 Inspection date 10/05/2011 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 1998. She lives with her adult daughter in Chester-le-Street, close to the town centre. There are public transport routes, schools, pre-schools, parks and local amenities nearby. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. An enclosed rear garden is available 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, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged five years and over. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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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

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides an appropriate range of activities which cover all areas of learning. Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder has appropriate systems to keep them safe, healthy and ensure that every child is valued and welcome. She has established good relationships with parents to meet children's individual needs, however, partnership with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage is less effective. The childminder seeks parents' opinions of her service, in order to support her in improving the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation in order to clearly identify areas for improvement  develop further partnerships and systems for sharing information with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure consistency in care and learning for individual children.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and has a clear understanding of whom to contact if concerns are raised. The childminder is organised and has been proactive in embracing the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure positive outcomes for the children who attend. The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as the childminder is alert to possible danger and uses her risk assessment procedures effectively to monitor hazards both inside and when on outings. The home environment is organised effectively overall to support children's learning and welfare.

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the early years provision

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder knows them well and understands their personalities and stages of development. All are helped to make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder does not currently care for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that all children are included and to working with parents to meet individual needs. Children's understanding of the diversity of the world is met through creative activities and discussions appropriate to their level of understanding.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder has built with the parents. Parents are invited for introductory visits where the childminder discusses her practice and provides parents with copies of her policies and procedures. In addition, she gathers relevant information from parents in order to meet children's individual needs. For example, medical and dietary requirements and information to help her form a view of children's starting points. Alongside daily verbal feedback the childminder also uses text messages to ensure that parents are kept informed about their children's activities and significant achievements. Parents are aware of their children's development file and are encouraged to read them and to make their own contributions. Written comments from the parents demonstrate their satisfaction with the service provided. The childminder has made tentative links with other settings where children currently attend to help support children's

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the early years provision

overall welfare. However, the systems currently in place are not developed to the full potential to compliment and fully extend children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made positive improvements from the last inspection by ensuring confidentiality is maintained when recording accidents. She seeks parents' views through questionnaires to support her in continually improving her provision. She uses informal self-evaluation to identify the strengths within her practice but does not clearly identify areas for improvements for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content, relaxed and secure and they develop very positive relationships with the childminder, who is attentive and shows that she knows them and their families well. She supports their learning using a friendly and knowledgeable approach as she joins in their play and initiates activities that follow their interests. The information gathered from parents, through discussions and watching children at play, helps the childminder to make assessments about children's skills. She has started to record her observations, which are clearly linked to the areas of learning and identify children's next steps. As a result, the childminder has a good understanding of their progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children communicate confidently and are eager and excited when sharing their achievements with visitors. For example, a beautiful canvas painting is proudly

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and outcomes for children

shown. Children demonstrate their growing personal independence as they move freely around the childminder's home, making their own selections and expressing ideas about things they want to explore or do. Children enjoy choosing books and talk confidently about their favourites stories. A range of creative activities enhances and extends children's pre-writing skills, such as, painting, writing and drawing. Children use their imaginations well, noticing what adults do and recreating the experience, for example, when reading a story book they act out the role of their teacher. Children are beginning to spontaneously use number names and mathematical language in their play. They are developing their counting skills and a growing awareness of simple addition and subtraction as they play board and matching games. Children of all ages learn to play together. They socialise, share, use good manners and respect others. They behave well, recognising

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and outcomes for children

boundaries and responding to expectations. Their good behaviour is promoted through purposeful praise and encouragement provided by the childminder, so enhancing their self confidence and self esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety are successfully promoted. They are learning how to keep themselves safe. They practise the emergency evacuation plan and talk about road safety and 'stranger danger' when they are out on walks. They learn about healthy lifestyles as they have many opportunities for physical activities. This clearly helps them to develop a positive attitude to exercise and they get plenty of fresh air as they walk to and from school and play in the garden. Children know and understand why they must wash their hands before eating. As a result, they increase their understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. The light snack meals provided by their parents promote the children's good health. 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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