Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 953205 Inspection date 30/03/2012 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 2001. She lives with her husband, two adult children and 13 year old child near Chester-le-street. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. Children have use of a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, as well as, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, of whom, three may be under five and one may be under one. She is also registered to care for children aged over eight years. The childminder currently cares for six children, of which one is in the early years age range. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 47 weeks of the year. She takes and collects children from the local school and to the local parent and toddler group. There were no children present at the time of inspection.

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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

The childminder provides a friendly and welcoming environment for all children and their families. She has developed suitable procedures to gather all required information from parents at the start, this helps to promote an inclusive environment. Although, she has only recently begun to mind children in the early years age range, she is beginning to introduce observations of their development. This is combined with a suitable range of activities and adequate access to resources to support children in making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. All documentation required to promote children's welfare is in place and satisfactory systems have been established to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the areas of learning and identifying learning priorities  develop opportunities for children have the freedom to access resources in order to further support their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including procedures to follow if she had a concern about a child. This helps to safeguard children effectively. She implements appropriate procedures and equipment to keep children safe within her home and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on outings. For example, she explains how she maintains constant supervision of children on outings and uses stair gates and fire guards within her home. This is combined with a record of risk assessment for all areas of her home to further safeguard children. Suitable systems are in place to gather all of the required documentation to support children's welfare and meet their individual needs. For example, contact details, medical history and dietary requirements. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and permission to seek emergency

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the early years provision

treatment is in place, this enables her to act quickly in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of the importance of developing her practice. She has started to make use of the Ofsted evaluation form and describes how she continually reflects on her practice to identify areas for development. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been addressed, this helps to promote outcomes for children. Appropriate use has been made of the available space in the childminder's home to enable children to move around freely. The childminder has a wide range of age-appropriate resources. However, although the childminder explains that she asks children what they would like to play with, opportunities for children to independently access resources are limited. This does not effectively support children's independence.

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the early years provision

Appropriate procedures are in place to gather information about children at the start. This helps the childminder to get to know the children and meet their individual needs. The childminder explains how she shows parents her policies at the start and discusses how she works. This helps to ensure that parents are adequately informed about the service she provides. The childminder describes how she uses verbal feedback and photographs to keep parents up to date about their child's care and activities. No children currently attend any other settings. However, the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of sharing information to promote continuity of children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Although, only new to minding children in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, the childminder is working hard to develop her understanding of the learning and development requirements. For example, through reading and discussions with other childminder's. From discussion, it is clear that she provides children with a suitable range of activities which cover all areas of learning. Systems, although in their infancy, are in place to begin to observe children in order to identify their starting points. However, these are not effectively linked to the areas of learning or being used to identify next steps in the children's development. This makes it difficult to see children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how she supports children's communication skills as she talks to them all of the time, for example, as they go for walks she encourages them to count how many cars they can see and to name the colours. She explains This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 how she uses books to support children's communication and literacy skills. The childminder has a wide range of resources to support children's problem solving and numeracy skills, including, jigsaws, building blocks and games. Evidence from observations and photographs show that children have regular opportunities to be creative. For example, painting, drawing and making Easter cards. The childminder explains how discussion and access to resources such as books and dolls helps to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how children are beginning to learn about how to keep safe as they practice road safety and fire drills. She explains that children are encouraged to adopt good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing before eating. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of providing a balanced and healthy diet which takes into account children's individual dietary needs, for example, fresh fruit and home cooked meals. She explains that they have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise, for example, playing in the garden and walking to school. This further supports keeping children healthy. The childminder has a suitable understanding of age appropriate behaviour management techniques to help children to begin to learn right from wrong, for example, distraction and discussion. This is combined with lots of praise and encouragement to help to promote children's self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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: 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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