Sedgwick, Lesley

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 May 2015 10 February 2014

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted that she is working with an assistant.  The childminder is not able to verify how the adult-to-child ratios are met, or to show when the assistant is working.  The childminder does not consistently encourage children's self-care and hygiene skills by enabling them always to wash their hands before eating.

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It has the following strengths

 Children have fun and gain many of the skills they will need in readiness for school and future life. This is because the childminder understands how they develop and learn through play.  Children have sufficient space to play and rest, and a suitable selection of toys and resources is stored within their easy reach. Consequently, children are comfortable and starting to make some independent choices about their play.  The childminder has a detailed policy in place which underpins her understanding and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. She has attended recent training and, as a result, has a secure knowledge of the signs and indicators of child abuse and knows how to take swift and effective action to report any concerns.  Parents are happy with the service offered by the childminder. They particularly value the good relationships that she has forged with their children.  The childminder uses self-evaluation adequately to identify improvements for children.

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It has the following strengths

She successfully checks the progress children make over time. This enables her to identify areas where children may need additional support or intervention.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 maintain records of when an assistant is used, to demonstrate that staff-to-child ratios are correct, in order to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting and that the needs of children are met.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 support children to develop their self-care and hygiene skills by ensuring they wash their hands before eating.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure Ofsted are always informed of changes, such as to persons living or working on the premises, including providing details of their name, date of birth, address and telephone number (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure Ofsted are always informed of changes, such as to persons living or working on the premises, including providing details of their name, date of birth, address and telephone number (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector looked at children's records, observation and assessment files, planning documentation and a selection of policies.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistant and the children throughout the inspection.  The inspector took account of parents' views through written information.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualification and the suitability of all adults living and working in the home.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about this provider.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She engages children in purposeful conversation and extends their vocabulary during their play and storytelling activities. Children's mathematical skills are promoted well as the childminder routinely extends children's understanding of number, shape and size during play. The childminder supports children well. As a result, children develop their perseverance and hand-to-eye coordination skills as they are encouraged to use the blocks to build a tower. Children enjoy choosing their favourite story and eagerly share this with the childminder and other children. Consequently, children learn to handle books with respect. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children's learning and plans for the next steps in their development. She shares this information with parents so they are kept well informed about the progress their child is making. In addition, she encourages

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who attend. This is good

parents to tell her what their children achieve at home, so she can use this information to complement children's learning successfully.

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requires improvement

Flexible settling-in arrangements help children adjust at a pace that reflects their needs. The childminder supports children to understand the consequences of their actions and to share, be kind to one another and take turns. Children experience fresh air and physical exercise. They visit local parks and learn to take sensible risks as they play on large physical equipment. The childminder provides a range of healthy and nutritious meals. Children plant their own vegetables and the childminder talks to them about healthy eating. This helps raise their awareness of food that is good for them. However, other practices to support children's health are not always consistent. For example, children are not always encouraged to wash their hands before eating.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder has an adequate understanding of the need to keep children safe. For example, she ensures that children are supervised at all times, and the environment in which children play and rest is safe and secure. All adults working and living on the premises have a Disclosure and Barring Service check. However, the childminder has not notified Ofsted that she is working with an assistant. This is a breach of a safeguarding and welfare requirement. However, this breach has minimal impact on children. This is because the childminder does not allow the assistant to have sole care of the children. When working with the assistant, the childminder has increased the numbers of children she is caring for. However, she has no systems in place to show the times when the assistant is working with the children. Consequently, it is difficult to verify how the adult- to-child ratios are continually met. The childminder has completed training to support her

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provision requires improvement

practice, such as paediatric first aid. This means she is able to respond to accidents swiftly. The childminder supervises the work of her assistant and ensures she is familiar with all policies and procedures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY261085 Local authority Durham Inspection number 1015214 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 10 February 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Peterlee. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with an assistant.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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