Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313547 Inspection date 12/07/2012 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and their two adult children. The family live in the village of High Shincliffe, close to Durham City. The home is within easy access to a local primary school, play park and toddler group. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. There were no children present in the early years age range at the time of the inspection. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 an inclusive service so that children are cared for and have their needs met. Systems for assessment and tracking of children's progress are not fully developed. Partnerships with parents and other settings are satisfactory and information is shared sufficiently well. Most required records are up to date. Self-evaluation is in the early stages with regards to identification of strengths and areas for development. As yet, parents and children are not fully included in this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 26/07/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process of self-evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and provide opportunities for parents and children to be involved in this process  improve systems for observing and assessing children's progress and use this information to identify learning priorities and track children's ongoing progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted well because the childminder is able to demonstrate through discussion her good understanding of safeguarding issues. For example, the childminder recognises the signs and symptoms of abuse and is fully aware of the procedures she would follow should she have any concerns. She fully understands her responsibility to share any concerns with the relevant agencies. The childminder undertakes appropriate risk assessments and minimises hazards with the use of safety gates and close supervision. However, the records do not contain all required details, such as date they were completed and the review date. This is a requirement of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Documentation is reasonably well organised, made available for inspection and updated regularly to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. From the observations made the childminder's home and resources

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the early years provision

appear to be organised well to enable children to have unrestricted access to toys and resources; therefore supporting their independence and interests.

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the early years provision

The childminder discussed how equality and diversity is promoted, demonstrating a sound understanding of how to promote inclusion within her setting. For example, she encourages children's developing understanding through discussion and by acknowledging differing cultures. From discussions with the childminder it would appear that satisfactory links exist with parents. They receive relevant information about the service, which includes safeguarding and complaints, this ensures that they are aware of the childminder's responsibility. Information about their children's achievements and any significant events is regularly exchanged with them through the use of texts and emails as well as through regular verbal discussions. Where children attend dual settings the childminder explained how she takes time to talk to the nursery staff to ensure that they are working in partnership and provide consistency in their care and learning.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is not yet fully embedded, therefore opportunities for parents and children to be involved in this process is limited. However, from discussion with the childminder she is able to identify her strengths and some areas for development. For example, she talked about how she intends to access further training and how she values this both for her own professional development and the impact this can have with regards to improving the service offered. She has recently attended a briefing session with regards to the new Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and from this she recognises the need to enhance her observation and assessment systems. The childminder has addressed all the previous recommendations from the last inspections. This demonstrates that the childminder has a satisfactory capacity for further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a reasonable knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she uses to provide a suitable range of activities and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences. Discussion shows that these cover the six areas of learning and include lots of opportunities to play outdoors. A display in the entrance shows that children participate in creative activities; creating drawings of butterflies that they then attached to their painting of a tree. The childminder explained that she carries out observations of the children at play and provided a sample of these. However, the systems used do not identify the children's next steps in their learning or demonstrate how their progress is tracked over time.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains that she talks to children all the time, introducing new vocabulary and encouraging them to think by asking questions as they play. For the very young children she talked about how she helps their early communication by reaffirming their sounds and gestures and providing a commentary of what they are doing. The childminder outlined how she helps to develop children's love of books by visiting the local library and reading stories with them. She described how some of the older children are able to recognise familiar letters and how they are keen to mark make. From discussion with the childminder it is clear that she provides good opportunities for outdoor play. For example, their visits to the local soft play, the park and their walks to the local farm all provide good opportunities for children to enjoy fresh air and space to run around. In the garden children are encouraged to help water the plants and to pick some of the produce, such as

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and outcomes for children

blackberries and apples which they then make into crumbles and pies. The childminder talked about how children are encouraged to develop their skills for the future by providing them with access to a lap-top where they can, under supervision, access appropriate web pages and play simple games. For the very young children simple interactive toys are made available, such as a shape-sorter that lights up and make sounds.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder described how she creates a safe environment for children by using suitable safety equipment and close supervision. She explained how she helps children learn about keeping themselves safe by teaching road safety and providing clear boundaries. The childminder stated that she helps the children learn how to behave well, to share and to play together well by being consistent in her approach to behaviour management and by using positive praise and encouragement. The childminder explains that parents provide children with their main meal and she provides children with fresh water and healthy snacks throughout the day. This helps them to learn about healthy eating. 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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