Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY368574 Inspection date 17/11/2011 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 February 2008. She lives in Cambois, a village in Blyth, Northumberland, with her children aged 12, nine and five years. The home is situated in a residential area, and schools and local shops are accessible by car and public transport. The ground floor of the home, which includes a bathroom, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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

Children are looked after in a suitable environment by a caring, friendly childminder who meets their individual needs appropriately. Children are settled and happy with her and they make suitable progress. She has good partnerships with parents, although she has not yet formed effective working relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She clearly enjoys her work and has some plans for the future, although she has not yet formalised this in her self-evaluation. She welcomes all children and parents and provides a fully inclusive provision; however, some systems and documentation are not in place to fully support children's safety and welfare.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and record when it was carried out and by whom; regularly review the risk assessment, at least once a year, and include in the record the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 01/12/2011

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further?

 ensure that smoke detectors are in place and in working order (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 01/12/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide equipment and resources that are sufficient, challenging and interesting to meet the needs of the children attending  develop and improve the observation and assessment systems in order to plan and provide experiences that build on children's interests, which will help them to make progress towards the early learning goals  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a suitable understanding of what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare. She has relevant information at hand should she need to seek advice or make a referral. The childminder uses child safety equipment appropriately, such as safety gates to restrict children's access to certain areas of the home; however, she has not conducted a full risk assessment of the premises to ensure that all hazards are identified and addressed to keep children safe at all times, which is breach in the requirements. She is a committed childminder who keeps herself up to date; for example, she has achieved a recognised level 3 childcare qualification and attended safeguarding and first aid training since her last inspection to support children's welfare and learning. She indicates that she has tried to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form but found this difficult to interpret. She has some plans for the

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the early years provision

future to extend her home to make more space for the children and is aware of her current limitations in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage fully, which shows she has some idea of reflective practice. She has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection, which has improved safety in the home and garden for the children.

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the early years provision

Various toys are available and most are easily accessible. However, the childminder does not effectively plan or use resources to the best of her ability to ensure that children gain the most from these. For example, there is only one box of mixed toys out and there are no labelling or pictures on the low-level units so that children are able to easily see and choose what is available. Although sturdy, child- size furniture, such as a table and chairs, are available, there are no creative or mark making items out for them. Children do, however, have easy access to a good range of books stored at their height in the open bookcase so they choose books independently.

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the early years provision

The childminder finds out from parents children's routines and needs, such as food preferences, likes, sleep times and favourite toys to ensure that she provides continuity of care. She has a flexible approach, often helping parents out by caring for children late or by dropping them off at home. She passes on written information via a daily diary to ensure good communication is in place. Feedback from parents via questionnaires is positive. The childminder has limited contact with other providers who care for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and is not able to gain much information from schools, when children attend both settings, which does not help to promote continuity and coherence. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with disabilities and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children with special dietary needs and has provided one-to-one care before.

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the early years provision

Therefore, she is well aware of how to meet children's individual needs. She allows children choices and would deal with any discrimination in a positive way to help children learn respect for one another. She does not stereotype her toys as these are available to all children.

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and outcomes for children

Although the childminder has a reasonable understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she is not using this sufficiently in practice to support and monitor children's progress or to plan for the next steps for all children's learning. Although she keeps photographs in an individual file of what children do and has some information relating to ages and stages of development, she is not effectively linking these together. She has some idea of where children are at in their development; however, there is limited planning in place to ensure that activities, toys and resources are provided to build on children's interests so that they are fully supported in their learning. She takes children out during school holiday periods where they take part in special events, such as sponsored walks, visit parks to play on large equipment, visit the beach and go on relevant outings to places of interest, such as stately halls where they can handle small animals. This

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and outcomes for children

ensures that children take part in appropriate local community activities.

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers enter the home confidently and leave their parents easily, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure within the environment and with the childminder. However, as no recent risk assessments have been carried out, some hazards remain that do not fully protect children. For example, children climb onto a folded buggy beside the fender on the fireplace where glass ornaments are shelved and a plugged in tumble drier is also easily accessible to the children, although the childminder states she supervises children closely. The smoke detector alarm battery has not been replaced and fire evacuation drills have also not been practiced for some time, which does not help children to gain an awareness or understanding of what to do in an emergency or how to stay safe in the home. This is a breach of requirements. Parents generally provide the food that children need for the day, which ensures that they eat the things they enjoy. They are put

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and outcomes for children

down to sleep, have their nappies changes as part of their routine and they wear sun hats and sun cream in hot weather so that their personal care needs are met well and they are comfortable. The childminder has a good understanding of managing children's behaviour as she uses distraction techniques with toddlers and gives shorts spurts of time out for older children. She also reinforces instructions to children to explain why some behaviour may not be acceptable, such as standing on chairs. She offers positive praise, which raises children's self-esteem, such as when they successfully push the small chairs under the table when they are finished with them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and inquisitive. They find equipment from the toy box that interests them, such as the interactive electronic toys, and they press buttons independently to make beeps and noises. They choose books from the bookcase and take them to the childminder for her to read with them. They sit happily with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her on the settee looking at the pictures as she reads stories and they turn pages independently, promoting basic skills for the future. Toddlers move around the environment confidently as they negotiate the ridge into the conservatory by themselves and approach adults easily to show them toys, demonstrating that they feel safe and self-assured. 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 01/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 01/12/2011

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