Childminder in Durham

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/06/2013 30/03/2011

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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

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This provision is good

 Children are happy, settled and form close bonds with the childminder as she is fun, warm and caring and meets children's individual needs well.  Children play in a welcoming and child-friendly environment where they are able to move around confidently to access their toys. This shows that they are self-assured and able to make independent decisions in their play.  The childminder provides a wide range of activities that interest and engage children, both within her home and during various outings. As a result, children enjoy their time in her care and are making good progress in their learning.  The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to the welfare and safeguarding requirements. Her home is safe and good steps are taken to reduce potential dangers. This means that children are safeguarded well in her care.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to further enhance children's already strong sense of belonging in the setting by displaying photographs of the children, their family and pets, and any other special people.  There is room to extend opportunities for children to explore a wider range of materials and sensory experiences, for example, by introducing treasure baskets.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 had a tour of the premises and observed children playing.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journals, a selection of policies and children's records and participated with the childminder in a joint observation of an activity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents through written comments that they left for the inspection and completed questionnaires.

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Inspection activities

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

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2001 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and child aged 15 years in Greencroft, Stanley. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a pet dog, a cat and a budgerigar.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends local playgroups and visits the shops and parks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently two children on roll, both of who are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 expand opportunities for children to explore a wider range of materials and sensory experiences, for example, enabling them to investigate colour, sound and texture

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

 enhance children's strong sense of belonging at the setting by displaying photographs of the children, their families, pets and other special people.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this effectively to provide children with a wide range of developmentally appropriate experiences, which promote all areas of children's learning and development. Planning and systems to observe and assess each child's progress using learning journal records, has been improved. Observations are clearly recorded across the seven areas of learning and this information is used to identify the next steps of learning for each child and to clearly monitor their progress over time. There is a good combination and balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. This helps children to make good progress in all areas of learning in preparation for nursery or school.

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who attend

The childminder engages well with children to extend their learning. She is warm and enthusiastic and this results in children who remain engaged and interested in the activities and resources she provides. For example, the childminder supports young children to develop their hand to eye coordination as they confidently use paint brushes and sponges to explore paints. Such activities also support children to develop their creative skills. However, there is scope to further enhance children's sensory skills through providing a wider range of textures, sights and sounds for children to explore, for example, through the use of treasure baskets.

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who attend

The childminder provides children with a wide range of 'cause and effect' toys to help them to develop their problem solving skills. She takes time to show children how to press buttons on toy cameras and reinforces their learning as she uses words, such as 'push' to describe what she is doing. Children remain engaged in the activity, trying with support from the childminder to copy her actions. The childminder provides lots of praise and encouragement when they are successful, which successfully cements their learning and promotes their self-esteem. Children take part in a good range of activities and outings where they are able to socialise with their peers and develop their physical skills. This includes, planned mini Olympic games and trips to toddler groups and local parks.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of supporting children's early communication skills. She chats to children as they play, reinforcing their early attempts at speaking as she responds to their babbling and names objects as they select them. For example, she identifies the 'blue paint'. This supports children's emerging language skills well as it builds on the use of singular words. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of working with parents to support children who speak English as an additional language. She displays key words for children in their home language and discusses with parents how to pronounce words. This helps her to support children who speak English as an additional language to make good progress in relation to their starting points. Young children respond well to her; they laugh and giggle as she tickles them and use her as a secure base from which they can explore the environment. This supports

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who attend

their confidence and self-esteem well and provides a firm base on which they build and continue their learning.

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who attend

Parents are made aware that they can view their children's learning journal at any time and the childminder encourages them to contribute to these and to their daily diaries. This helps to keep parents well informed about their child's learning. Parents complete 'All about me' booklets at the start of their child's care with the childminder. This provides the childminder with a good range of information about children's families, likes and what they can do. This helps the childminder to develop children's starting points on which she can base her care routines and activities. The childminder completes yearly progress reports for all children. Although she has not been required to complete a progress check at age two, she has a secure understanding of her role in this and the importance of sharing such information with parents.

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

The childminder is warm and caring, and children develop close attachments to her. They show that they are happy and settled in her care, as they gently stroke her hand as they fall asleep. The childminder tunes in sensitively to young children's needs, for example, as she recognises when they are tried. Well-established settling-in procedures are in place to ease children's transition between home and her care. For example, children and their families are invited to attend settling-in sessions prior to children being left for the first time and information is exchanged between the childminder and parents. This ensures that children feel secure and their individual needs are met well. The childminder supports children's transitions to nursery and school well. For example, she uses books about schools to familiarise children with the concept of going to school. The childminder also attends a wide range of toddler groups where children can learn to socialise with their

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

peers and build relationships. Children behave well in the childminder's care. This is because the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing praise and encouragement for children and using distraction and discussion to help children to learn right from wrong.

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

Children play happily in the childminder's home and have use of a dedicated playroom and arts and crafts room. Resources and equipment are plentiful and of good quality, this effectively supports children's overall well-being and care. Children are able to make independent choices about their play as the childminder ensures that most resources are stored in low-level boxes which are clearly labelled with written English and Polish words. This helps children to begin to recognise the written word and that print carries meaning in different forms. The childminder displays examples of the children's work on the walls of both playrooms, which helps to promote children's self-esteem and strong sense of belonging. However, there is scope to enhance this further by displaying photographs of the children, their families, pets and other special people in their lives.

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

The childminder enables children to play safely through her close supervision and appropriate safety equipment, such as cupboard locks and stairgates. Alongside this, children learn to keep safe through daily routines, such as practising road safety and their involvement in the regular fire drill practices. The childminder successfully promotes children's physical well-being. High standards of hygiene are maintained throughout the childminder's home and she acts as a positive role model. For example, she washes her hands after wiping young children's noses. Pictorial prompts serve as a reminder for children to wash hands after using the bathroom. This helps children to develop consistent daily routines and prevent the spread of germs. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing healthy and nutritious meals for children, this further supports their good health. Children have regular opportunities for fresh air

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

and physical exercise. They play in the garden and go on regular outings to local playgroups, soft play areas and for walks to the park.

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provision

The childminder successfully meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. High priority is given to keeping children safe. For example, a clear mobile phone policy is displayed at the entrance and all visitors are required to sign into her home. The childminder is conscientious in reducing potential dangers and risks to children, both in the home and during outings. This is supported by a record of risk assessments and daily checks of the premises prior to children arriving. Children are further safeguarding as the childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care.

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provision

Well-written, clear policies are in place and underpin the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision. These are shared with parents so they are fully informed of procedures. The childminder also has a good understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the learning and development requirements. She uses her observations and the guidance, Development matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that she is covering all areas of learning. The childminder knows the children well and as a result, she is able to identify quickly any areas where they may need further support.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are good and make a positive contribution to meeting children's needs. The childminder keeps them up-to-date about the service she provides through regular newsletters and displaying important information, such as her certificate of registration. Parents are very complimentary about the care and learning that their children receive and the way information is shared. Comments made include, 'We know our child is in very capable hands' and 'my child is so excited to see her'. The childminder does not currently care for any children who attend any other settings. However, she demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of a two-way flow of information to ensure consistency of care and learning for children.

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provision

Self-evaluation is good because the childminder is positive about developing her practice. She gathers feedback from parents and has completed an evaluation of her setting. As a result, she has a clear understanding of her areas for development, such as attending safeguarding training. The childminder has addressed all of the actions and recommendations raised at the previous inspection. This includes obtaining prior written consent to give medication. This helps to safeguard children and demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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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 action. 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 550085 Local authority Durham Inspection number 819444 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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.

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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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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