Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435046 Inspection date 18/04/2012 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 2011. She lives with her husband and their son aged nine years old. They live in Ingleby Barwick. The whole of the ground floor and the master bedroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years, and 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. There are currently seven children on roll in this age group. She 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has made a very positive start to childminding. Overall, she has a good knowledge of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands how to implement them in her practice. This means that children make good progress in their development. She provides a very welcoming service in which children are treated as individuals and their welfare needs are effectively met. Secure partnerships have been developed with parents. These ensure a two- way flow of information to meet each child's needs. The childminder is fully committed to continuously developing her practice to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment and planning to promote children's development and learning  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop the use of self-evaluation processes to help identify areas for improvement and development.

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the early years provision

The safeguarding of children is given priority. The childminder has received child protection training as part of her childminding registration course and has a detailed written statement in place. She is clear about her responsibilities and fully aware of the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child. Detailed risk assessments of her home and garden clearly identify potential safety hazards and how they are managed effectively. All outings are also fully risk assessed to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect children from harm. 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. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate to enable her to deal appropriately with any accidents, which helps to further safeguard children. 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. Record keeping is well-organised and a good range of policies and procedures underpin the safe care and management of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to making further improvements to her service. She works in partnership with her local early year's service where she accesses support and training. Additionally, she regularly attends drop-in groups at local children's centres which provide her with ideas for new activities and resources and enables her to share good practice with other childminders. Systems for self-evaluation are being developed. However, she is not yet fully using these processes to help her identify and prioritise areas for development. Children are very much valued as individuals. The childminder ensures all children are fully included in the play sessions by giving each one individual attention. Equality and respect for diversity are promoted. The childminder enables children to develop respect and understanding of their own and others' cultures. For example, she has resources that reflect positive images of diversity to help children learn about the world

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the early years provision

around them and involves them in activities such as celebrating different festivals.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages well with parents to ensure the children's well-being is promoted appropriately. The initial forms completed at the beginning of a placement provide the childminder with a wealth of relevant information. This is used to successfully settle the children and meet their needs. Verbal updates and daily diaries are exchanged on a daily basis to ensure all important news and information is exchanged. Parents speak highly of the childminding service including comments, such as, 'my child has made rapid progress in her development due to the structured and varied activities provided' and 'we have found the childminder to be a very pleasant, warm and caring person who we have no concerns in leaving our daughter with'. 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 and school staff to help promote children's

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a caring, family home where they are settled in the care of the childminder. They form warm and friendly relationships with her and with her family. Children enjoy each others company and are developing friendships with their peers. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. This enables her to plan a wide range of activities to promote children's learning. Regular observations and photographs document children's good progress. However, there is no systematic approach in place as yet to show how the next steps in children's learning are identified or how they are implemented. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show increasing confidence as they make choices from a good range of resources within the childminder's home. They love books and enjoy sitting with the childminder as she reads to them or just looking at them by themselves. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder asks children questions to promote vocabulary and thinking. Consequently, children's speech and comprehension is developing rapidly. Their self-esteem is good. They smile happily and clap when the childminder praises them and laugh when they do something amusing. They are a pleasure to watch as they care for their 'babies', feeding them and rocking them in their car seat. There are lots of opportunities for them to learn about the wider world, as they participate in a wealth of outings in local community and further. They go on many walks and outings including trips to beach where they dig in the sand and enjoy the treat of an ice-cream. Children benefit from additional resources and activities at local drop-in groups where they develop social skills as they play within a larger group of children. They engage in a wide range of creative activities including experimenting with materials, such as, paint, dough and glitter. Children's

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and outcomes for children

behaviour is good. The childminder gently helps them understand the importance of sharing, taking turns and being kind to each other.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles. Brightly coloured individual towels, 'magic' soap and posters encourage them to wash their hands at appropriate times. Older children understand why this is necessary. All areas of the home are clean and a cleaning rota is in place to help prevent the risk of cross infection. Children's health benefits from the many opportunities for outdoor play and physical exercise. They love playing in the outdoor area and local parks and also participating in organised soft play activities. The childminder provides nutritious meals and snacks that suit their dietary needs. Fresh produce including fruit and vegetables are routinely included on the menu and meals are freshly cooked. Children are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to prevent them becoming thirsty and their drinking cups are easily accessible. The childminder helps children learn which foods are good for them by involving them in growing

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and outcomes for children

their own produce. 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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