Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410861 Inspection date 30/05/2012 Inspector Angela Andrews

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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 2010. She lives in Newbottle near to Houghton- le-Spring with her parents. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is also a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a rabbit and guinea pig, which are kept outside. The home is within walking distance of a local school, toddler groups and play park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age group and one of whom may be under one. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She holds a level 5 childcare qualification.

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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 provides a happy, caring and comfortable family environment and acknowledges that each child is unique, with their own needs and interests. Children are settled, confident and very well behaved, which is a strength of the setting. The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children and safeguards them extremely well. Children are making satisfactory progress in their overall learning and development, and they enjoy playing in the home and outdoor area. The childminder builds and maintains very good relationships with parents. She has started the process of self- evaluation as a way of developing and improving her practice to promote outcomes for children effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 14/07/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 provide a range of readily accessible resources to promote choice and encourage more child-initiated activities to improve learning outcomes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding is given high priority by the childminder. The childminder has a very good understanding of the safeguarding procedures. All adults within the house are also vetted. She has contingency plans in place with them to ensure that children are never left with anyone who is not vetted. She has completed detailed risk assessments of most areas of her home and garden. However, an oversight has led to the patio fence not being made safe, which means that the risk assessment system is not yet robust enough. The childminder has a wide range of records and consents in place. She makes effective use of space, supplementing this with planned daily walks or outings for the children as part of their overall learning and development. Children are encouraged to consider and respect diversity through discussions about different interests, abilities, disability, cultures and celebrations. They have access to resources that reflect positive images of the

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the early years provision

The childminder has a range of records, policies and procedures in place, which support her practice. She has recently completed her National Vocational Qualification at level 5 Working with Children, Child Care and Education. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice. She is starting to identify areas of strength and for improvement. Also, she accesses training to improve identified areas. This has a positive impact on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established very sound professional relationships with parents. She makes them welcome in her home and encourages parents to take time at the start and end of the day to talk and keep each other informed of daily events. The childminder keeps in contact with parents throughout the day by telephone, photographing children playing and texting to reassure them when appropriate. Parents arrive at the childminder's home, relaxed and confident in her care for their children. She understands the need to establish sound relationships with other early years settings that children attend, which promotes continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and relaxed as they play and learn in the comfortable, child-centred environment, smiling, laughing and moving with no inhibitions. They are developing very good self-esteem as a result of the praise, warm eye-contact and cuddles, which they receive from the childminder. Children are extremely confident in the setting and play very cooperatively. The childminder's sound understanding of children allows her to offer appropriate support to them during their play. She motivates and encourages children to explore and experiment with activities to extend their learning. The childminder also plans a range of activities, including outings to local places of interest and the local play park, which she feels are appropriate to the needs of the children to widen their knowledge and understanding of the world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses observations and assessments to recognise each child's interests and to identify the next steps in their individual learning. She plans activities to offer challenge, and as a result, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. However, children have insufficient access to a range of readily accessible resources to promote choice and allow more child- initiated activities to improve learning outcomes. The childminder maximises all opportunities to extend children's communication, language and literacy skills. She talks to children slowly and clearly and uses open-ended questions to develop their language for thinking and reasoning and problem-solving skills. All children enjoy very regular opportunities to express themselves creatively through music and song. This was clearly evident when they were singing in response to a children's television programme. All children take part in arts and crafts activities. Items they

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and outcomes for children

made for the Queen's Jubilee were displayed within the home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given a good level of support to understand the benefits of healthy living. They are encouraged to adopt a range of sound hygiene practices. Children also learn about the importance of good food hygiene. They have constant access to drinks. Children are provided with nutritious snacks and meals and take regular exercise, both on outings and within the childminder's home. Children have a sufficient amount of clear floor space to practise their mobility. The childminder ensures that children are familiar with safety procedures that promote their welfare effectively as they discuss the fire drill and practise it regularly.

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and outcomes for children

The strong promotion of children's self-esteem and social skills, together with the high levels of independence they are developing, helps to prepare them for the future. Children's behaviour is managed extremely well with clear and consistent boundaries set. Positive behaviour is promoted by regular praise and encouragement from the childminder. She encourages children to talk through any issues and resolve their own. This develops children's understanding of right and wrong and the consequences of their actions. Children are encouraged to negotiate their own rules and understand consequences; their very good behaviour is a strength of the setting. The childminder is a positive role model, and secure relationships between her and children enable them to feel safe and valued in the childminding environment. 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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