Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY232004 Inspection date 17/01/2011 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 2002. She lives with her husband, adult son and child aged 10 years. They live in the residential area of Downhill in Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom located on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. There are two children on roll aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children weekdays from 7.30am until 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. Links are made with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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 and parents are warmly welcomed into an inclusive environment and are valued as individuals. The childminder works very well with parents and others to support children's learning and development. Children have access to a variety of resources and they make good progress. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively and overall areas for further development are identified to support continuous improvement. The required documentation and record keeping systems are in place and the vast majority are very well organised and maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures to evaluate information pertaining to the evaluation of the service, care and education provided to further support continuous improvement  develop procedures to encourage parents to regularly contribute to the record of their child's learning and development to support their child's learning.

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the early years provision

Parent's access to the safeguarding children from harm policy ensures that they are well informed of the procedure. The childminder has completed safeguarding training and shows a very good understanding of her responsibilities. Risk assessment procedures are effective and help to remove or minimise risks to children. Regular fire drills are completed and recorded. The security of the premises is very well maintained. Children are very closely supervised and procedures for the collection of children are good. The childminder has a clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of relevant policies and procedures, such as, a lost or uncollected child and the supervision of visitors. A complaints policy is shared with parents and includes an explanation of Ofsted's role and relevant contact details. The childminder has a good understanding of the action to be taken regarding the

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the early years provision

management of a complaint. She evaluates her practice very well and is able to identify most areas for further development to promote continuous improvement. The recommendations for the previous inspection have been met. The childminder holds a CACHE Level 3 certificate in childminding practice and actively seeks out relevant training to develop her skills. For example, that in respect of food safety, health and safety awareness and an introduction to the traffic light system for referring children to speech and language therapy.

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the early years provision

Space is use effectively to give children easy access to a good range of resources and activities. They are able to make choices about their play. This promotes their decision making and independence skills, as shown in the confident way that a very young child selects a favourite jigsaw. Children are able to develop an age appropriate awareness of equality and diversity. They have access to a good selection of resources and activities to promote the different aspects of diversity. The childminder presents as a good role model. She explains differences simply to children to raise their understanding and to help them to acknowledge differences in a positive way. The childminder works very well with parents and other professionals and agencies. She recognises and values the importance of working with others to support children and to enable them to fulfil their potential. For instance, she has attended Makaton sign language training and works with a

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the early years provision

health visitor and a specialist teacher to support a young child's communication skills and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive links with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has made good relationships with teachers at the nursery a young child attends and regularly meets with them to discuss how they can work together to support the child's learning and development. Processes such as this enable the childminder to build a particularly sound understanding of children's needs and allows her to plan effectively to promote their continuity of learning. Relationships with parents are positive. An effective induction procedure ensures that parents receive pertinent information about policies and procedures and the service offered. Information regarding children's need and initial capabilities is obtained from parents and recorded. Through this, the childminder is able to establish a very good knowledge of each child's starting points. Children's introduction into her care is sensitively managed and tailored to their individual

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the early years provision

Introductory visits to the childminder's home provide the opportunity for all parties to become familiar with each other and children settle very well. To enable the childminder to continue to meet children's needs parents are asked to keep her informed of any relevant information that may impact upon their children's care. Communication with parents is good and includes regular verbal feedback and parents have access to their children's records. A daily dairy system is in place and parents use this to inform the childminder about general information and their children's development. However, the contribution of some parents is less consistent than others. Parents are kept very well informed of their children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress and development which allows them to support their children's learning. For example, a very young child's emerging interest in numbers and colours.

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the early years provision

Feedback from parents is very complimentary.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning and development very well. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she uses to underpin her practice and children make good progress. Systems to monitor individual children's learning are good. This allows the childminder to thoroughly assess each child's capabilities and to effectively identify the next steps to be taken to help them to achieve and progress. A good variety of purposeful learning experiences are provided for children. The childminder promotes children's learning very well through the efficient use of discussion and questions. Children's personal, social and emotional, language and literacy and mathematical development is particularly well nurtured. This is evident from the very warm, close relationships they form with the childminder and they are happy in her care. Children are encouraged to show concern for others, to share toys, take turns and play

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and outcomes for children

together. The childminder actively encourages children to ask questions, describe what they are doing and to recall past events. For example, a very young child spoke excitedly about a recent trip to a sea life centre and of how they were splashed by a dolphin. During play with a toy farm the childminder encourages a very young child to name the different animals. The child responds eagerly and also makes the various animals sounds. The childminder rewards their efforts with enthusiastic praise. This positive recognition helps promote children's confidence and self esteem. Children are able to develop a good understanding of simple mathematical concepts such as, weight, size, shape, colours and numbers. This is shown in a very young child's ability to recognise and name primary colours and to confidently count from one to five. Children have opportunities to problem solve as reflected in a very young child's comment that 'the pig is too big for the window,

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and outcomes for children

The childminder acknowledges the benefits children gain for a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Their dietary needs are discussed in detail with parents. Healthy eating is promoted and children are offered nutritious meals and snacks. For instance, as a morning snack a very young child is offered a selection of fresh fruit and is able to choose what they want. Fresh drinking water is readily available and each child has their own water bottle. Children are able to go outdoors and benefit from fresh air and exercise every day. They play in the garden and a good range of resources is available to enable them to develop and test their physical skills. Indoor activities include dancing and playing ring games. Regular outings are arranged to places of interest such as, parks, museums, the pet shop, a wetlands centre and a children's farm. Younger children go to toddler groups several times a week. This provides children with additional opportunities to socialise with others

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and outcomes for children

and to develop and extend their understanding of the local community and wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes effective use of age-appropriate behaviour management This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 techniques to manage children's behaviour. For example, she distracts very young children and gives older children simple explanations and timely reminders of the ground rules. Children respond positively and their behaviour is good. The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of safety by discussing safety matters with them such as, road safety and stranger awareness. Hygiene standards are good. The childminder makes effective use of familiar routines to encourage children to adopt appropriate hygiene practices. Efficient use is made of relevant policies and procedures. The childminder understands very well the action to take regarding the care of a sick child, accident management and the administration of medication. This helps to promote and preserve children's health

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and outcomes for children

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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