Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432148 Inspection date 19/01/2012 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years in Kirk Merrington near Spennymoor. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog and rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. 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. Currently there are seven children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7am to 6.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. She takes and collects children from the local school and to the local parent and toddler 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 feel settled and secure because the childminder provides a warm, friendly and welcoming environment in which to play and learn. Although systems to record children's learning are in their infancy, they make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a wide range of activities which covers all areas of learning. This is combined with effective relationships with parents to ensure that the childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs. However, systems to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage have not yet been established. The childminder is committed to developing her practice, which helps to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage  make effective use of observations of children's learning to assess the progress they are making towards the early learning goals and to identify next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

Children are well cared for in an environment which is welcoming and secure. They are safeguarded effectively as all risks are identified successfully, addressed and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimised effectively. This is done through the use of appropriate safety equipment, such as stair gates and cupboard locks, along with daily checks of all areas. A clear record of risk assessment for all areas of the home and for outings, further safeguards children. The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding signs and symptoms, including procedures to follow if she had a concern about a child. Consequently, children are well protected.

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the early years provision

Parents have a good understanding of the services provided by the childminder and speak positively of the care and learning she provides. The childminder discusses her policies and procedures at the start and parents sign to say they have read and understood them. Further information, such as her certificate of registration and first aid certificate, is clearly displayed for parents to see. The childminder ensures that parents are kept up-to-date about their child's learning and care through verbal feedback and access to their child's learning journal. The childminder understands the benefits of sharing information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has not yet established any systems to do this. This does not effectively support continuity of learning and care for children who attend more than one setting.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder has only been minding for a few months, she demonstrates a genuine commitment to reflecting on, and evaluating her practice in order to improve outcomes for children. She works closely with her early years coordinator and another childminder to discuss practice and identify areas of improvement. This helps to promote outcomes for children. The effective organisation of space and the good levels of support provided by the childminder allow children to move around safely and freely. Most resources are stored in a large cupboard, however the childminder selects a good range each day based on the individual interests and stages of development of the children she is caring for. This helps children to develop their independence and encourages them to make choices about their learning and play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is developing a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this to ensure that children take part in a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. The childminder has introduced individual learning files for each child. These, although in their infancy, include information about their interests, photographs and observations of their learning. However, although observations are loosely linked to the areas of learning, they do not show the progress children are making towards the early learning goals and do not include children's next steps in learning. This, however, has a minimal impact on children's learning as the childminder is clearly getting to know them well and plans activities which are based on their individual stages of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's all-round development is fostered well because the childminder is actively involved in their play and extends their learning well. For example, she sits on the floor with babies, counting blocks and naming colours. Babies are beginning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to find a voice as the childminder interacts well with them, for example naming objects and looking at books together. The childminder is very warm and caring and as a result, children respond well to her. For example, she provides comfort and reassurance to waking babies through cuddles and gentle talking. Babies remain actively involved in activities which support their hand to eye coordination for extended periods of time. For example, they delight in putting objects in and out of a shape sorter and try time and time again to put a lid on. The childminder rewards all efforts with lots of praise and encouragement. All children have good

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to develop their creative skills, for example they paint, draw, stick and use chalks for basic mark making. The childminder provides an inclusive atmosphere which allows the children the freedom to develop their own personalities in a warm, caring environment. They are encouraged to consider and respect diversity through access to a suitable range of resources and discussions about different parts of the world. Children behave well in the childminder's care as she understands the importance of using age-appropriate techniques to help children to learn right from wrong. They begin to develop their skills for the future as she encourages them to work together, share and be kind to each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is successfully promoted by the childminder. They learn about keeping safe through planned activities, such as practising road safety and fire drills, along with reading books about how to keep safe. Children enjoy a range of activities and daily routines that contribute to their good health. They are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and parents' wishes and have regular opportunities to take part in physical play activities. For example, walks to the park and visiting local play groups. Planned activities, such as creating a shopping list and discussing which foods are healthy, further supports children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. All required documentation to meet children's individual needs, for example diet requirements, along with effective policies are in place to help to further support children's 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 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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