Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY260990 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 children aged 10 and 13 years in the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland. The ground floor lounge, kitchen, conservatory and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group and one child aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 49 weeks of the year.

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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 promotes inclusive practice by warmly welcoming children and parents into her home where each person is valued as an individual. She builds positive relationships with parents and others to support children's learning. Children make good progress in their learning and development and have access to a good selection of resources. The childminder evaluates her practice very well and overall areas for further development are identified to support good practice and continuous improvement. The required documentation is in place and is very well maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue promoting the good health of children and take necessary steps, such as including individual hand towels.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to safeguard children from harm. Appropriate safeguarding literature is available for reference purposes and a written policy is shared with parents so they are informed of the procedure. The childminder is vigilant regarding the security of the premises. Procedures for the collection of children from her care are good. Children are only released to nominated people as listed on children's personal records. Positive steps are taken to help minimise or remove risks to children. The childminder conducts a visual risk assessment of the facilities and resources each day before children arrive. She carries out and maintains a record of her annual risk assessment and appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety equipment is provided. All of these processes help to keep children safe. The childminder has a very sound knowledge of relevant policies and procedures.

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the early years provision

For example, her understanding of the action to be taken regarding a lost or uncollected child is good. All of the required documentation is in place and is very well organised and maintained. A complaints policy is shared with parents along with the contact details for Ofsted. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedure to be used to manage and record details of a complaint should this be necessary. Good systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of service, care and education provided. This enables the childminder to identify the vast majority of areas for development and to take action to support continuous improvement. The childminder holds a Level 3 certificate in Childminding Practice and seeks out relevant training to support her personal development which impacts positively on the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Space is very well organised and provides children with ease of access to a good selection of resources and learning opportunities. They are able to choose their own resources and make choices about their play, which encourages them to be independent and nurtures their decision making skills. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is very well promoted. They have access to a wide selection of age-appropriate resources and activities to help them to develop a good understanding of diversity and the wider world. The childminder is a positive role model to children and makes positive use of discussion to help them to acknowledge differences in a positive manner. Systems to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language are in place. At present, none of the children on roll attend another setting. However, the childminder understands the importance of building

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the early years provision

links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, so as to support children's continuity of learning. Relationships with parents are good. An effective induction procedure ensures that children are introduced gradually and sensitively into the childminder's care and they settle very well. Relevant information about children's needs and their starting points is obtained from parents and is recorded. Ongoing channels of communication are very well established between the childminder and parents. This enables them to share pertinent information to support children's care, learning and development effectively.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she uses to support children's learning effectively. Through discussion with parents and her own observations of children, she is able to build a good understanding of each child's capabilities. This allows her to assess each child's stage of development and to identify appropriate goals to effectively support and enhance their learning. For example, the childminder is actively developing the current interest children have in colours and supports very young children learning to walk. A good range of adult-led activities are provided which complement children's self-chosen play. During everyday tasks and play, the childminder makes good use of questions and discussion to help promote and enhance children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. For example, when playing with very young children, the childminder

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and outcomes for children

speaks affectionately to them and points to and names items. She encourages children to repeat words and sounds, and acknowledges and praises their responses readily. This positive reinforcement helps to promote and extend children's language and vocabulary skills and nurtures their confidence and self- esteem. Children's numeric and problem solving skills are very well promoted. A good variety of resources and activities are provided to help them to develop an understanding of concepts, such as numbers, colours, weight, shape and size. For instance, during play with a soft toy snake the childminder talks to very young children about the big snake and names the various colours. Children are able to develop an age- appropriate knowledge and understanding of the wider world and how things live, grow and work.

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and outcomes for children

Close, warm relationships are evident between the childminder and the children she cares for. This helps to nurture children's personal, emotional and social development. This is reflected in the very confident manner in which they explore their environment and interact affectionately with the childminder. Good use is made of behaviour management techniques to promote children's positive behaviour in accordance with their age and level of understanding. The effective use of praise helps to promote and reinforce good behaviour, children respond positively to this and are very well behaved. The childminder helps children to develop an age appropriate awareness of safety. For instance, they practise road safety and fire drills, and talk about stranger awareness. Standards of hygiene are very well maintained. The childminder actively encourages children to adopt good hygiene practices. However, individual hand drying facilities are not provided for

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and outcomes for children

children and this does not help to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The consistent use of familiar routines such as, hand washing and positive role modelling by the childminder helps to reinforce good practice. Relevant policies and procedures are in place and the childminder has a clear understanding of the action to take in respect of a sick or injured child, the administration of medication and accident management. This helps promote and preserve children's well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands fully the benefits children gain from an active lifestyle. Each day children have opportunities to play outdoors, go for walks and to take part in physical play activities. Indoors they enjoy playing ring games, doing keep fit exercises and dancing to music. Very young children enjoy swaying to music as they sit on the carpet and play with toys. A good variety of resources and equipment is provided to enable the children to develop and refine their physical skills. Parents are consulted in detail about any dietary and medical needs their children may have and relevant details are recorded. The childminder holds a Level 2 Food Safety certificate. Healthy eating is promoted and children are offered a good variety of nutritious meals and snacks. Fresh drinking water and other suitable drinks are provided. Babies are fed according to their individual routine. All children are able to rest and sleep in keeping with their own needs. This helps

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and outcomes for children

promote and preserve children's health and welfare. 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 2 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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