Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433504 Inspection date 17/04/2012 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 October 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged four years and five years in Lanchester. The whole of the family home, including the first and second floors, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant this number increases. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder also provides care for older children.

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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 happy and settled in the care of the childminder who is warm and caring. She works with parents to ensure the care provided is consistent and appropriate. Although children are generally safeguarded, risk assessments are not documented, and permission to seek emergency medical treatment is not requested when children first start at the provision. Both are legal requirements of her childminding registration. The childminder provides children with appropriate learning experiences, but is not yet effectively using systems for observation and assessment to clearly identify the next steps in their learning. The childminder recognises the importance of continual development and demonstrates that she has the capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/05/2012

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 01/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for observation, assessment and planning to promote This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's development and learning and involve parents in this process  develop the use of evaluation processes to help identify areas for improvement and development  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding issues. She recognises the indicators of child abuse and knows the local authority procedure to follow to report any concerns. The childminder is safety conscious and identifies and minimises all obvious hazards within her home in order to support children's well- being. However, she does not keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. The childminder has completed first aid training and has documentation in place to record accidents and administered medication. However, she does not request written parental permission, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. Both weaknesses in the documentation kept are breaches in legal requirements. Checks have been completed on household

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the early years provision

members, to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to develop in her role as a childminder. She understands the value to the children and her own professional development of continuously improving her practice. She reflects on her work and makes changes to meet the needs of the children in her care. However, she is not yet fully using evaluation processes to help her clearly identify and prioritise areas for development. The childminder treats each child with respect and as an individual. She has a growing understanding of their needs and ensures information is obtained from parents to address these. She is a positive role model and provides resources to raise children's awareness and appreciation of diversity.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive relationships which are established with their parents. The childminder gives parents daily feedback to keep them informed about their child's care and development. As yet, effective procedures are not in place to fully involve parents in the ongoing observation and assessment process in order for them to be fully involved in their child's learning and able to support this at home. The childminder is fully aware of the benefits of partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation. She is beginning to liaise with nursery teachers to help promote continuity of care and education.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and very much 'at home' despite being relatively new to the setting. They are obviously comfortable with the childminder and her family. They are becoming active, inquisitive and confident learners. They move confidently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 around the lounge exploring and discovering for themselves. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She plans a satisfactory range of activities which are based on children's individual needs and interests. However, she has not yet developed the systems for observation, assessment and planning to fully promote children's development and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are sociable and enjoy the company of their peers at the childminder's home and at various community groups. They are happy and responsive and relate well to the childminder. Their independence is developing as they make choices about what they want to play and feed themselves. Older children are able to put on their own coats and shoes and manage their personal hygiene. They enjoy looking at books, cuddling up to the childminder and members of her family as they look at the pictures together. Their understanding of numbers is gradually increasing through stories and games, such as looking at the numbers on doors as they walk to and from nursery and school. Younger children crawl confidently around the lounge, pulling themselves up, and standing unaided for a few seconds. There is ample space, both indoors and outdoors, for children to practise and develop physical skills, and a range of equipment to support this area of

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and outcomes for children

learning. Opportunities to promote children's creative development are provided, both at the childminder's house and when at groups, as they experiment with resources, such as paint, dough and role play equipment.

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and outcomes for children

A good standard of cleanliness is maintained throughout childminding areas. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. Resources and equipment are of good quality and are cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of germs. Children demonstrate they feel safe as they explore their surroundings and enjoy finding out what they can do. The youngest children indicate when they want something through gestures and signs and the childminder responds appropriately. Although the childminder is clear about the emergency evacuation procedures, she has not yet practised these when the children are present so any potential problems can be identified. 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: 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

 keep a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 01/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of the procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 01/05/2012

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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 above (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 01/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 01/05/2012

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