Childminder in Durham

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/09/2014 27/01/2011

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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

 There are strong partnerships with parents and the local school, which ensure children receive the support they need and continuity is provided in their care, learning and development.  The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children and knows who to contact if she ever has concerns about a child. Policies and procedures underpin her good practice. This helps to ensure children are kept safe from harm.  The quality of teaching is good. The childminder provides a wide range of exciting and stimulating experiences that interest and engage children. Consequently, they make good progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children are not always provided with opportunities to develop their independence and a sense of responsibility, for example, by assisting in clearing away their activities after they are finished.

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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 observed activities inside and viewed the area used for outdoor play and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed an activity undertaken during the inspection, with the childminder.  The inspector spoke to the childminder at suitable times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment files and the planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder.  The inspector took account of children's views during the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives in the Waterhouses area of Durham with her husband. The house is situated within easy distance of local amenities including school, park, shops and a community centre with children's groups. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder operates all year round from Monday to Friday.

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

 build further on opportunities for children to develop independence and gain a sense of responsibility, for example, by encouraging them to tidy up after themselves.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, she plans and delivers a broad range of activities that support all children to make good progress from their starting points in all areas of learning. The childminder carries out assessments of children's development and uses this information to track children's progress through their time at the setting. This means she can identify when children are not making the expected progress and arrange any necessary intervention to help them reach their full potential. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities relating to the progress check for children between the ages of two and three. These assessment checks are completed in cooperation with parents. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning and the childminder shares their children's learning journal files with them. They regularly

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who attend

discuss and agree children's next steps for learning together. Consequently, children make very good progress in relation to their developmental starting points.

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who attend

Communication and language is promoted very well. The childminder communicates with children in a manner appropriate to their level of development. She has good levels of eye contact with all children, especially babies, to engage their interests and focus. She makes good use of gesture and facial expression so that children can communicate effectively. Children communicate successfully in many different ways and they understand lots of different instructions. As a result, children are settled and are supported well as they play and learn. These skills support them as they progress towards moving on to school.

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who attend

The childminder makes the most of external facilities, such as playgroups and the local park. The childminder takes children to other interesting places including a local diner, which is housed within a bus. As a result, children have lots of experiences to draw on during their play and conversation. Children are provided with opportunities to be as independent as possible. The childminder encourages them to care for their personal needs whenever they can, but does not always encourage children to develop their independence or a sense of responsibility, for example, by consistently encouraging them to tidy up after themselves.

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

The childminder knows the children in her care very well. She gathers detailed information from parents from the outset, which means that she can effectively tailor children's care to their emotional needs. As a result, she provides an environment in which children are settled and engage well in the activities on offer. This helps to maximise their learning potential and helps to develop their confidence and self-motivation. The childminder encourages children to develop their physical skills. There is direct access to the secure outdoor area and children can safely move from indoors to outdoors. The childminder makes a wide range of outdoor toys available to children, which encourages them to develop their large muscle skills. She encourages children to dress themselves, which helps to develop their small muscle skills. All children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, which means that they are gaining an understanding of how to keep

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

The childminder has very clear expectations regarding children's behaviour and is a good role model. She is calm in her approach to children and interacts with them using firm but fair guidelines. She uses humour to encourage children to listen and respond appropriately. She provides very clear explanations as to why certain behaviours are not acceptable and the consequences of them. For example, she explains to children why they need to sit carefully at the table, in case they fall off their chair. The childminder's daily dialogue with parents ensures continuity in behavioural expectations.

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

The childminder has a good understanding of risk assessment and safeguarding procedures to promote children's safety and well-being. There is a wide range of written risk assessments as well as policies and procedures which underpin the childminder's good practice. Indoor and outdoor spaces are planned well so that all children can develop their independence safely, as they have free access to resources that they wish to play with. This means that all ages of children become confident to explore their surroundings as they successfully move around furniture and play with toys that are stored at their level. The childminder actively promotes healthy lifestyles. She provides the opportunity for children to access outdoor play every day. Children are reminded to wear outdoor clothing on colder or wetter days. There is a wide range of outdoor equipment, such as, a climbing frame, push-along toys and ride-on tricycles, which encourage physical exercise. During

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

snack times, the childminder chats to the children about healthy foods and how they impact on the body's health. Children are reminded about the importance of dental hygiene as well as nutrition and exercise. In addition, children go on local visits to shops and parks, which also help them learn about keeping themselves healthy and fit.

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

The childminder is very respectful of children's individual backgrounds. She talks to the children with respect and calmness and is polite at all times. She helps children to feel secure and safe and meets their emotional needs very well. Children are well settled and have made strong relationships with each other and with the childminder.

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provision

The childminder is very well organised in her setting. She demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibility to ensure that she meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has accessed support from her local authority and is proactive in regularly reviewing the Ofsted website in order to keep up to date with new guidance and legislation. As a result, the safeguarding and welfare requirements and the learning and development requirements are met well. All documentation is easily accessible and underpins the childminder's good practice. Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows who to contact should she have any concerns. The childminder has a current paediatric first-aid qualification. Children are further safeguarded as the childminder's home is safe

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provision

and secure. There are effective risk assessments in place to cover a wide range of eventualities. The assessments cover places visited and activities within the childminder's home.

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provision

There is a wide range of written policies and procedures which parents have read and signed. This promotes parents' understanding of the childminder's responsibilities. The childminder has forged strong relationships with the families of children she has cared for over the years. The childminder works well with parents, which enables them to meet children's continually changing needs. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to work in partnership with other professionals, to access good support for children when necessary.

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provision

The childminder provides activities to suit children at a range of stages of development. She effectively assesses children's progress, from the beginning of their placement and planning for their next steps. Parents are consulted and ideas for children's progress are shared. This means that children make good progress from their starting points. The childminder has good links with the local school that children attend so that relevant information is shared and she is well placed to build on what children already know and can do. The childminder does not currently care for any children who speak English as an additional language, or for any children with special educational needs, but she has a clear understanding of the importance of working closely with all those involved in children's care and learning, in order to support children effectively to reach their full potential.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 313686 Local authority Durham Inspection number 876931 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 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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