Childminder in Darlington

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24/10/2012 01/12/2010

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 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

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates good awareness of how young children learn and makes the most of opportunities to promote children's learning through play, discussions and planned activities.  Children are happy, motivated and eager to learn. They show high levels of independence, curiosity and imagination and demonstrate extremely positive behaviour and strong self-assurance.  Children develop exceptional relationship with the childminder and her immediate family. They talk freely with all adults within the home and seek the help and support of the childminder with a range of activities.  Children's language and communication, their confidence and physical development is given a high priority and many opportunities are set in place for children to listen and speak and respect one another.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 The system for self-evaluation does not currently fully include the views of children's parents and carers.

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector inspected the areas of the premises used for childminding purposes.

p.2

Inspection activities

 Observations were made of the childminder with the children and these were discussed, along with the documentation and other aspects of practice.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning records and planning documentation, along with policies and certification.  Feedback on the inspection was provided for the childminder.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and adult son in Darlington. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes. There is a safe and enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has a dog and hamsters.

p.2

Information about the setting

She is currently caring for eight children, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.2

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

 develop further the process for self-evaluation to include the views of parents and carers.

p.3

who attend

The childminder bases a strong emphasis on children's learning through play. She provides them with good levels of support to ensure they make good progress across all areas of their learning and development, taking into account their starting points. Consequently, children are being well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

p.3

who attend

Young children respond well towards the childminder. They reach out towards her and enjoy the warmth and cuddles they receive. Therefore, their confidence and self-esteem are suitably nurtured as the childminder provides them with sufficient praise and encouragement. They make good progress with regards to their physical development and move around the premises independently. The childminder encourages children to understand how to take risks such as on climbing frames in the local park.

p.3

who attend

The childminder interacts positively with the children at all times and encourages their personal, social and emotional development well. For example, she encourages children to build with bricks giggling when they are knocked down. Young children begin to vocalize their pleasure and are confident in their attempts because the childminder smiles at them and provides them with words of encouragement and supports their efforts with words and phrases.

p.3

who attend

The resources children access and the support they receive from the childminder encourages them to begin to problem solve as well as develop an understanding of shape and size. They attempt to sort by colour the compare bears and look at sequencing boards with a degree of understanding making successful attempts at placing bears in order .

p.3

who attend

Very good use is made of observation and assessment, which the childminder skilfully uses to plan the next steps in children's learning and development. She demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and knows the children in her care well. She bases her planning predominantly on children's interests. Good levels of support are provided to ensure children have opportunities to make steady progress in their learning and development, taking into account their starting points. Children's learning journeys are used well to show the progress children make within the seven areas of learning.

p.3

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

The childminder is fully committed and takes all reasonable steps to ensure the children's welfare needs are met. Children have developed strong attachments to her and are happy and settled during their time spent with the childminder. She is a good role model to them and remains calm and focused at all times. The childminder has realistic expectations in accordance with children's ages and stages of development. Therefore, children respond positively towards her.

p.4

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

Children are forming friendships with each other and talk about children who are not present. Healthy snacks and drinks are provided such as fruit and water or milk. Children are provided with sufficient time for rest and relaxation as well as exercise. Meals are provided by the childminder, which are served to children in a social setting and children develop an understanding of eating together. Children regularly access the outdoors, playing in the garden as well as enjoying local walks. Therefore children are developing an understanding of the importance of good health and exercise.

p.4

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

The childminder teaches the children to keep themselves safe, and works with them in developing their own understanding of this. For example, she gently reminds them not to climb on chairs and regularly discuss road safety whilst on outings. The childminder has implemented ongoing risk assessments of her home and resources to ensure accidents are minimised. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed, discussed and practised to enhance children's awareness of safety.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a clear understanding with regard to her role and responsibility in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through self-evaluation the childminder has identified her strengths and weaknesses and areas to be developed to improve her practice. However, although parents' and children's views are collected they are not currently encompassed in this document.

p.4

provision

The childminder is clear on the procedures to follow if she has concerns and is fully aware of her role and responsibilities with regard to the children in her care. She has appropriate written policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and she ensures parents are aware of these at the onset of a placement. Thorough risk assessments are in place for all aspects of her care as well as a record of visitors which reduces the risk to children.

p.4

provision

The partnerships with parents are very good and they have access to a broad range of information including well-written policies and procedures. Children's learning journals and daily discussions keep them fully informed of their children's progress which supports them to continue their children's learning at home through similar activities. These records are a "team effort" between the childminder and parents, who are encouraged to contribute. Evidence within the files demonstrates the value placed on these by everyone, with a clear indication of parents and childminders contributions. Links with other providers are good and the childminder confidently discusses the necessity of sharing relevant information with regard to children's learning and development to ensure children's progression of learning.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number 301100 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 818637 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

p.6

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.

p.6

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply: 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.

p.6

Type of provision

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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,

p.7

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’.

p.8

Type of provision

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

p.8