Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318877 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Shirley Peart

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since February 2000. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the Westerhope area of Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and children aged 12 and nine years. The home is accessible by some steps. The ground floor of the home, the bathroom on the first floor and a converted playroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to one child aged five years.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit extremely well by being with a highly effective childminder who recognises each child’s uniqueness, as she is affectionate and passionate about each one. Her comprehensive procedures and very good understanding of the EYFS ensures that children’s welfare, learning and development is extremely well promoted. She works very well with the parents and continually reflects on her practice to ensure that the Every Child Matters outcomes are extremely well met.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the activities for children with regards to their understanding of differences and information technology.

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provision

The childminder reviews her practice exceptionally well as she is part of the local childminding network and is open and receptive to regular support visits from the network coordinator. She has also completed a comprehensive self-evaluation, which has helped her to identify her very good practice and what plans she has for the future, so that she can continue to promote good outcomes for the children.

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provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to self-development and regularly attends training courses in the evenings and weekends, which demonstrates a commitment to enhancing her knowledge. Her operational file and policies and procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comprehensive and are clearly linked to the Every Child Matters outcomes, therefore underpinning her practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement extremely well.

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provision

Parents are extremely pleased with the care that their children receive; comments on the feedback questionnaires include ‘extremely satisfied’ and ‘cannot fault the service and cannot see how it could be better’. She keeps parents very well informed by regular verbal exchanges, completing daily diaries and the children’s lovely development files are always available for the parents too. The childminder knows the staff well at the local playgroups where the children also attend. They exchange vital information, as well as what children have been doing and what they are interested in. This ensures that effective partnerships for the successful delivery of the EYFS are in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The garage has been converted into a bright, warm playroom with low level shelving, sturdy and safe child size furniture and easily accessible toys, therefore providing a highly enabling environment for children. Comprehensive risk assessments, health and safety check lists and planned visits to a safety awareness centre that make learning fun, ensure that children gain a very good self- awareness of how to stay safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have plenty of fresh air and exercise as they regularly walk to school and nursery. They attend regular dance classes so that they have ample opportunity to develop their physical skills, which all contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Children help themselves to their drinks which are readily available and the childminder adheres to parents' wishes regarding diets, so that children only have food which they enjoy and can tolerate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Pre-school children are very confident and articulate, expressing their wishes and asking questions as they play. All children have a lovely time painting and even young toddlers approach the painting table independently and handle the small paint tubes very well as they successfully explore the paint and make marks. Older children also use pens and pencils with very good control as they draw formed shapes and name their pictures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children use their imaginations very well and consolidate their learning through spontaneous play situations and conversations with the childminder. For example, when they discuss eating ‘French Toast’ they talk about what they need to make it and pretend to beat the eggs. The childminder also uses appropriate phrases, such as ‘more than that’ when children guess numbers and she encourages them to use their fingers to help them count, which helps them to understand mathematical concepts in a fun way.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very affectionate towards the children and has lovely relationships with them, which are natural, warm and spontaneous so that children feel secure and special. She manages to divide her time effectively between all the children she cares for, therefore she meets their individual needs exceptionally This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder clearly has a good knowledge and understanding of the EYFS. She has recorded her observations and photographs of the children and clearly links this to the areas of learning and makes plans for the next steps in their development. Children benefit from a wide range of experiences while they are with her. For example, visits to children’s museums, outdoor activity centres, farms and the beach, as well as regularly attending toddler groups and Sure Start centres within the local community, which enhances children’s social skills and enjoyment extremely well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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