Strickland, Laura Jane

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/10/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are settled and have strong bonds with the childminder. They are happy, motivated and making good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder works closely with parents so that children settle quickly into the setting and feel safe and secure.  The childminder promotes the health and safety of the children well and she has a good understanding of her responsibilities for child protection.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The existing arrangements for parents to review children's progress and for them to contribute to children's learning journals do not fully promote children's learning and development.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge and the dining area of the kitchen.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a selection of documentation including children's learning journeys, planning documentation, and written policies.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents presented in written form for the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in July 2011 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and daughter aged nine months in a house in Darlington and uses the whole of the ground floor and the rear garden for childminding. The childminder is a qualified, experienced practitioner and has completed first aid training. She takes children to various community groups. She collects children from the local schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently two children on roll, one who is in the early years age group and attends on a part-time basis and one is a school-age child who attends before and after school. The childminder is open all year round except for family holidays.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 strengthen existing arrangements for reviewing children's progress regularly with parents and invite them to contribute more fully to children's learning journals.

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who attend

The childminder is a qualified, experienced childcare practitioner. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a good range of activities to promote children's development in all areas of learning. The educational programmes are planned to incorporate children's interests and build on their existing knowledge and skills. This contributes to the good, and in some areas, very good progress children are making. The childminder has high expectations for children and provides an enabling environment for them. Parents comment that the childminder 'works hard to ensure our child enjoys the activities and that she is challenged'. Regular observations are made of children's achievements in order to assess their development and plan for the next steps in their learning. Written observations are included in individual learning journals show the progress children are making. However, as yet, systems for parents to review children's

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who attend

progress regularly and for them to contribute more fully to their child's learning journal are not fully established.

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who attend

Children's language and communication skills are promoted well. The childminder listens to the children and responds appropriately. She asks questions to encourage children to think and gives explanations to them. Children are able to maintain concentration for considerable periods of time, for example, as they complete floor jigsaws. They chat happily as they play and the interaction between the children and the childminder is positive and warm. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to socialise with others at community groups and in her home. Consequently, children are making relationships and developing the social skills they will need for their transition into nursery and school. The childminder has created an attractive display of books which children can access independently. They thoroughly enjoy looking at them by themselves and when they snuggle up with the childminder and her baby to read a favourite together. This

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who attend

interest in books is encouraged and promoted by regular trips to the library where they can enjoy reading in a different environment.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They approach her confidently and with affection and look to her for reassurance and support when trying new things. She knows them well and meets their needs sensitively, modelling acceptable behaviour. For example, she is aware of how they prefer their food to be served and respects this so they feel comfortable and valued. The childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement and children's self-esteem is increasing. They are proud when they complete their jigsaws and love looking at photographs of themselves. Parents comment very positively about the flexibility and support in settling their children in and appreciate this very much. Lots of information is gathered at these visits about routines and likes and dislikes to ease the transition from home. Resources are of good quality and easily accessible to children so they can make their own choices. The childminder gives children

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

time and freedom to become involved in activities and provides first hand experiences and challenges to keep them engaged.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder maintains high standards of hygiene throughout her home to prevent the spread of infection. Good opportunities are provided for children to benefit from the fresh air. They are out daily on walks and outings and also play in the childminder's garden. They put on their wellies and go puddle jumping, go looking for ducks in the park, and gather leaves for their autumn pictures. Attendance at soft play sessions provides children with opportunities to use a wider variety of equipment to promote their physical development, take risks and enjoy more energetic play. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious food for children. Parents comment that that meals are 'varied, nutritious and portion appropriate' and appreciate that cooked meals are provided at the end of a busy day. Procedures are in place for the safe administration of medication and for the safe management of accidents. The childminder has completed up-to-date first aid training

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

and has appropriate written permissions from parents.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility in meeting the learning and development requirements. She monitors the educational programmes to ensure all areas of learning are covered and that they provide sufficient challenge for children. She evaluates activities and uses this information to help with future planning. Good partnerships are in place with parents and most information is shared well. Parents comment 'it is lovely to hear what our child has been doing through her daily diary and the childminder always informs us about our child's day'. Children do not currently attend any other settings. However, the childminder is fully aware of the benefits of partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation when this is appropriate.

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provision

The safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation are met in full. Children's safety is well promoted. The childminder carries out robust risk assessments of her home and of any outings she undertakes with children. Her home is safe and secure and children are well supervised at all times. The childminder has completed child protection training throughout her career as a childcare practitioner and has a good knowledge of the action she must take should she have concerns about a child. All required checks have been completed for household members. Record keeping is well- organised and a good range of policies and procedures underpins the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder is enthusiastic and keen to further enhance her provision. She reads childcare publications, researches the internet and attends local authority training. Overall, effective systems are in place for evaluation. Parents

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provision

communicate their views about the service through direct contact and written comments. A self-evaluation form is also used as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429725 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 774240 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration. Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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