Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/01/2015 30/11/2009

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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 develops friendly relationships with parents and they are very pleased with the provision. Children are very happy and settled, as she shares regular two-way verbal information with them on a daily basis.  The childminder effectively teaches children as she uses good questioning techniques that make them think and respond. This successfully promotes children's language and early mathematical development, so that they make good progress in these areas.  Children have very close bonds and excellent relationships with the childminder as she is loving, caring and competent. This supports children's emotional well-being extremely well.  Children are safe as the childminder follows clear safeguarding procedures and provides a secure home and close supervision.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not yet maximise ways in which she gains parent's input to enable them to share further information about their children's learning at home.

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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 and routines in the main room and kitchen.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the childminder's training certificates, policies, children's assessment records and learning journals.

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Inspection activities

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and her assistant.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers from information included in the letters from parents.

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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 husband who occasionally acts as her assistant. Most of the ground floor and the side garden are used for childminding. The family has a dog and goldfish as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She drops off children at the local school. There are currently six children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 extend the partnerships with parents so they have greater opportunities to share more information about what their child is learning at home.

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who attend

The childminder provides a good mix of adult-led and child-initiated play and she understands how children learn. She plans interesting outings to children's museums, parks, beaches, shops and woodland areas. She also visits groups on a regular basis, where children enjoy art, craft, singing, using soft play equipment and musical instruments. The childminder also plans activities with children's interests in mind. For example, they make play dough with blue colouring and glitter to make models from a favourite children's film. This means that children's all round development and interests are well supported so they make good progress throughout the seven areas of learning.

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who attend

The childminder uses effective teaching strategies to help children learn. She is at the children's level at all times, provides lots of eye contact and positive interaction. She helps children to sustain their play if they become distracted by making statements about what she is doing with the toys, which helps to maintain their interest. The childminder helps children to recognise similarities in patterns and to count in context. For example, when children fit the teddy bear jigsaw together she encourages them to find the matching shirt and pants and they eagerly try to count up to five on their fingers with her. This supports their mathematical development very well and helps them to move on in their learning in readiness for nursery and school. The childminder asks children many questions and engages them in lively conversations, enhancing their language development and confidence successfully. This has a positive impact on children's learning and ensures that

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who attend

they make good progress. The childminder tracks children's learning and development well, as she carries out regular observations to establish what they know and can do. She also plans for the next steps in children's learning by targeting areas where they need most support. The childminder keeps some photographs, written observations and assessment information in individual learning journals. Parents are aware that these are available at any time. However, there are fewer opportunities for parents to share what they know their child can do at home in order for the childminder to use this information to contribute to the day to day planning to further support the next steps in children's learning. The childminder completes the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years.

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

The childminder's home is warm and welcoming. Children have a designated room to play in and all toys are accessible, of good quality and are easily seen. This helps them to make independent decisions and choices about what they want to do. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and her assistant; they approach them easily and make their needs known. Children are highly competent and extremely self-assured in the environment. They speak to the inspector confidently and engage adults in their play. The childminder treats children as she would her own, which means they play in a homely environment and have formed strong bonds with her. They jump up on her knee for cuddles and take their favourite books for her to read. This demonstrates that they are highly settled, which supports their emotional well-being in readiness for moving on to nursery or school. The childminder offers as many settling-in sessions children need and

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

parents are welcome to stay during this time. This helps the childminder to build good relationships with parents from the start. She finds out all she can about children's needs, routines, likes and interests from the parents. Consequently, she develops a good basis from which to build her practice to support children's overall care, learning and well-being.

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

Children are well nourished and enjoy healthy home-cooked meals and freshly prepared snacks, such as apples and cheese. Their drinks are always available so they can help themselves. The childminder asks children questions to help them make decisions, for example, about what they may like for lunch. Children confidently state, 'eggs.' The childminder extends their learning and decision making by asking further questions and involving them in conversations about how they might like their eggs cooked and what they will have with them. She also talks with children about how eggs are good for them. This contributes successfully to children's good health and well-being so they adopt a healthy lifestyle. Activities in the park, at toddler groups and in the garden also help children develop good physical skills and ensure they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children also recognise risks in their activities and routines to keep themselves safe. This

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

is because the childminder reminds them why they need to help tidy things away before they get other things out. Children's behaviour is very good because children are fully occupied, happy and have plenty of choices. The childminder also provides appropriate challenges, which enables them to sustain their play.

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provision

The childminder understands her responsibilities in meeting the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has successfully completed relevant safeguarding and child protection training and supervises children closely. She has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of what to do if she has any concerns about a child's safety, care or welfare. The childminder occasionally works with her husband who acts as her assistant. However, he generally only helps alongside the childminder in the home and does not look after minded children on his own. As a result, the childminder monitors the assistant's practice at all times. Both the childminder and her assistant's suitability have been checked through Ofsted, helping to safeguard children. The childminder is aware that should her assistant take on a more active role, or need to care for children on his own; he will then enrol onto a suitable paediatric first-aid course.

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provision

The childminder is aware of what she does well and regularly reflects on her practice. She uses various craft and activity websites to give her new ideas on how to help develop her planning and activities for children. Reflection after training courses helps her to decide on what she needs to do to bring about improvement such as updating her policies. This ensures that she monitors the provision successfully. The childminder has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection, further supporting children's welfare and safety.

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provision

Required documentation is in place to support safe practice, such as children's details forms, registers, risk assessments, medication and accident and fire drill recording. There is a good range of written policies and procedures. The childminder establishes strong relationships and partnerships with parents from the beginning. They are very pleased with her service and younger siblings often take up places. Comments in parental letters are highly positive and include comments, such as, 'I am confident to leave my child in this family environment' and 'I don't think my child would have been as advanced.' No children attend other early years settings or require specialist support. However, the childminder is aware of how to work with other professionals and nursery staff to ensure that children's learning is supported through good consistency and continuity.

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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 EY330209 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 862436 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 6

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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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