Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27/06/2013 28/06/2010

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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 demonstrate levels of contentment and self-esteem through their actions and they show great confidence in playing with others.  The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards working with parents and schools. This makes transitions to school easier for the children.  Children make good progress in their learning as the childminder has a good understanding of their needs and supports them well.  The environment is well resourced both inside and out so enabling conditions for rich play.  The childminder provides a homely and welcoming environment where children are happy and settled.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to improve the effectiveness of the self-evaluation in order to enhance the continuous improvement of the provision.  Opportunities for children to think and extend their range of vocabulary are not fully optimised.

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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 toured the childminder's home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children and childminder during their activities, and interactions in the outdoor area, living room and at snack time in the kitchen area.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the childminder's policies, procedures and children's learning records.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2009 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and two children aged one and five years in a house in Pegswood. The whole of the childminder's home, except the master bedroom, is used for childminding. The childminder has completed basic training including first aid and child protection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder visits the local shops and local woodland walks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local school and pre-school. There are currently seven children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. Two children are school-age who attend before and after school. The childminder is open all year round from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, except for family holidays.

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

 extend opportunities for children to think and develop the range of vocabulary that they use by, for example, using more open-ended questioning

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

 enhance the evaluation process through careful analysis of practice so that it is clearly targeted to help children achieve the highest levels of achievement.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the seven areas of learning and provides a good range of activities. Planning provides challenge and an interesting experience for the children, helping them to make good progress in their learning. The childminder sets out toys and resources throughout her home so children can select them easily and safely. The childminder shares a good range of information with parents. She seeks information about children's starting points to help her plan. Regular communication informs parents of their child's progress and how to support learning at home. This helps to ensure a consistent approach to the children. The childminder plans for each child using observations to identify their progress and levels of support needed. Parents make purposeful comments about observations they have made at home.

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who attend

The childminder knows the children well and talks confidently about their individual routines, likes and dislikes. She keeps a record of children's learning and the 'learning journals' give a useful written and pictorial record of their time with the childminder. A written observation accompanies the photographs including correct age banding. The childminder plans activities that are suitably consistent in depth and breadth, and builds on children's learning ensuring they make good progress in their learning and development through formative and summative assessments of the children, for example, she has carried out the progress checks at age two. Through accurate observations, the childminder is aware of what children can do. She makes good use of guidance, such as Development matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to identify any gaps in children's learning. The childminder responds well to children's interests and helps them to

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who attend

develop the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning.

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who attend

The children enjoy listening to the childminder read stories, for example, one child chooses a favourite story and takes it to the childminder to read. The childminder uses good expression and different voices when telling the story, therefore, encouraging children to be interested in books and reading. However, she does not always recognise opportunities to consolidate what they are learning and challenge their thinking. For example, when a child is playing with a balloon she does not always use further questioning techniques to extend the child's learning and build on that experience.

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who attend

The childminder recognises that the interest of younger children lasts for short periods of time. When they tire of an activity and move away from it an alternative activity is suggested. Children are encouraged to express their own preferences and interests and are supported by the childminder to participate. As a result, they play confidently with the toys and resources.

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who attend

The broad variety of books, toys and equipment are well organised making them easily accessible to children. Children move confidently around the setting to find resources they are looking for. These are stored in clearly labelled low storage units, helping children make independent choices and decisions. Children are supported well to ensure that they are prepared for the next stage in their learning and development, such as moving on to nursery or school. They are developing the necessary skills to help them embrace new experiences with confidence.

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

Children have access to the outdoors regularly. They go for woodland walks or use the equipment in the garden. This helps them appreciate the benefits of fresh air and physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. The childminder regularly takes the children to buy fresh fruit and healthy snacks from the local shops and grows some plants and vegetables in the garden and the children get involved in the whole process. The childminder provides a healthy menu throughout the week, which is displayed on the information wall for parents to see. This enables children to understand the importance of a healthy diet.

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

The childminder closely supervises and observes children as they play. This helps to keep them safe and enables her to respond to their individual needs. Children approach the childminder easily and demonstrate, by their actions, that they feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder gathers good information from parents about their child's needs. She adapts the settling-in period for each child depending on their needs. For example, one child required a large number of visits with their parent before attending on her own. This helps the childminder get to know children quickly and build close relationships with them so that they confidently make the transition from home into her care. Children have their own named hand towel and peg, which helps them to gain a sense of belonging.

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

Children are happy and clearly have a close bond with the childminder who is very caring and always responds to their needs. Children are inquisitive and explore the toys and activities with enthusiasm. Toys and resources are stored well to enable children to choose what they want to play with, promoting their sense of belonging and independence. Children learn about keeping safe by taking part in fire evacuations so they know what to do in an emergency. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and children are very well behaved. They readily share and take turns with popular resources, are helped to play harmoniously together and have respect for each other's needs and feelings. The childminder monitors all children's health and development and all required records and documentation to support children's well-being are in place.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding requirements. She understands the signs that may indicate a child may be at risk of harm and clearly knows whom to report the concern. The childminder understands her responsibility to keep children safe and provides a safeguarding policy for all parents. She has in place an appropriate range of written policies and procedures that support the effective operation of her provision. The home is safe and secure and the childminder carries out risk assessments on a daily basis to ensure children can play safely inside and outside. Should children have an accident, they are well cared for as the childminder has kept her first aid training up-to-date. The children are consistently supervised at all times to ensure their safety.

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provision

The childminder has successfully addressed areas raised for improvement at the last inspection. For example, all records relating to her childcare activities are now accessible and available. This effectively promotes children's welfare and safety. The childminder has established a good relationship with parents and she is committed to work in partnership. She seeks the views of parents through the use of questionnaires. Overall, they are very happy with the service she provides and have written some glowing references about the standard of care that the childminder offers. The childminder works very closely with the local school to support the children as they move there or alongside the school where the child attends both places.

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provision

The childminder understands her responsibility to meet the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements a programme of activities, experiences and opportunities for children, to help them make progress towards the early learning goals. There are good arrangements to keep parents informed about their children's progress. The childminder is aware of the benefits of self-evaluation and has identified some areas for improvement. However, there is scope to develop this further by monitoring the impact of improvements on the achievements of the children.

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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 EY403840 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 870901 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 7

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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

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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