Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14/11/2012 14/03/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

 The childminder provides a very friendly and welcoming service were children feel safe and secure. Children are eager to learn and have developed close relationships with the childminder and her family.  Strong links have been developed with parents and effective communication keeps them fully involved in their child's care, learning and development.  A wide range of challenging and fun learning experiences are readily available and children have independent access to a vast range of resources.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder's plans for future improvements are, on occasion, less well targeted in order to fully drive and successfully prioritise areas for improvement.

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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, dining room and kitchen.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's observations and planning files, a selection of policies and children's records.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2006 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and four children age 12, nine, six and three years in a house in Rochester, and she uses most of the ground floor and the garden for childminding.

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Information about the setting

There are currently six children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and on some Saturdays and Sundays, except for family holidays. The childminder attends a variety of childminder and play groups. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre- schools.

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

 extend self-evaluation further in order to successfully drive improvement in the provision and outcomes for children.

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who attend

Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals as the childminder provides a stimulating and challenging learning environment. She knows the children in her care very well and has a good understanding of how they learn. Observations of children's progress are recorded and 'learning aims' for each child are clearly highlighted. The 'activity schedule' shows how the childminder uses observations to plan a wide range of activities that are relevant to children individual needs and interests. She has started to develop systems to implement the two year progress check and is working with parents and health visitors to ensure they are involved in the process.

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who attend

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They have developed strong bonds with the childminder, her family and peers. Children play cooperatively and take turns with others, such as waiting their turn to roll the ball or play the recorder. Toddlers enjoy playing with the cars, trucks and garage. They count how many cars and trucks they have found and the childminder encourages them use mathematical language to compare items, such as big and small. The childminder shows children how to pronounce and use words by responding and repeating what children are saying in the correct way. This helps to develop their speaking and listening skills.

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who attend

The childminder provides a range of shape-sorting activities, promoting children's interest in shapes. They confidently post the shapes in the correct holes and the childminder encourages them to name the different shapes and colours. Children are eager to join in with planned activities. For example, they are very excited when the childminder invites them to play musical instruments 'in her band'. They enthusiastically find their favourite instrument and have great fun creating sounds by banging, shaking, tapping and blowing. They confidently join in with familiar rhymes and songs and are very keen to play 'again and again'. Children enjoy making clay pots for Diwali and show great levels of concentration as they mould and shape their own pot. The childminder provides lots of positive praise and encouragement, boosting children's confidence and self-esteem. She gives children time to complete tasks independently, and supports when appropriate.

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

Children are very confident, happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. A wide range of resources are freely available. These are relevant to children's age, stage of development and interests. This helps to promote children's independence and encourages them to direct their own learning. This supports them with smooth transition, for example, to school. Children respond well to the childminder's requests and are very well behaved.

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

The childminder provides an exciting range of opportunities for children to be active. They have daily access to her garden, where they can climb, play football and ride bikes. They regularly go for walks in the adjoining woods, where they search for mini-beasts and collect leaves. This helps to develop their physical skills and enables them to actively develop their understanding of the world. The childminder works with parents to ensure children are nourished and hydrated during the day. Drinks are freely available and the childminder provides a range of healthy meals and snacks, such as blueberries and apples, which children enjoy.

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

Children develop their awareness of safe practices as they are regularly involved in emergency evacuation drills. The childminder further develops their awareness of safety, for example, she explains why they should not move around with the recorder in their mouth, encouraging them to sit down while they play. She further protects children's welfare as she cleans the recorder after every child has used it, helping to prevent the spread of infection.

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provision

The childminder has completed safeguarding training and has a good understanding of her responsibilities to help protect children's welfare. A wide range of policies and procedures are in place and regularly updated. Parents sign to say they have read and understand these, which keeps them informed of the service provided. Written risk assessments and daily checks are completed and children cannot leave the premises unattended. This helps to effectively protect children's safety and well-being.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. She has implemented good systems to observe and assess children's learning and development. Observations are accurately used to plan a varied and challenging learning experiences for all children. As a result, children make good progress in their development.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong and effective systems are in place to ensure continuity of care. For example, daily diaries, phone calls and an in-depth exchange of information ensure parents are fully informed about children's progress and activities they have been involved in. Parents state that they enjoy reading their child's diary that the childminder keeps, which is a record of activities done during the day, artwork and photos, and that they would 'happily recommend to others'. Currently no children who are in the early years age range attend other settings. However, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners and agencies to ensure continuity and coherence.

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provision

The childminder is keen to develop the service she provides. She attends a wide range of relevant training to develop her knowledge and skills. She also works closely with the local authority advisors to develop the service she provides. However, plans to highlight areas for development are not fully in place, therefore, priorities for improvement are not always clear. This does not fully drive future improvements.

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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 EY340279 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 882793 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 6

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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: 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.

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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.

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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

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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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