Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 319103 Inspection date 19/11/2008 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 1999. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in a residential area of Denton Burn in Newcastle upon Tyne close to local schools and shops with her children aged 12, 11 and six years. The home is accessible by some stone steps and all childminding facilities are on ground level. There is an enclosed side yard area for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder regularly cares for her niece who is also in the EYFS age group.

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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

The childminder treats children equally and recognises that they are all individuals, demonstrating a commitment to equality. Children's development and learning needs are very well met and most of their welfare needs are appropriately met. She works effectively with the parents and is a committed, experienced childminder who regularly reviews her provision to benefit the children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve snack time so that childen's health, social development and independence is sufficiently promoted  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered and how they are resolved.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment, review it regularly and maintain a record of the particular aspects of the environment that need to be checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 17/12/2008

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provision

The childminder has not completed any self-evaluation information, however, she does reflect on her practice and explores how she can improve this to benefit the children. For example, she buys new equipment and toys to meet the individual ages and stages of development of the children. The childminder is very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experienced and has a positive attitude to self-development. She has attended a number of courses since the last inspection, such as Safeguarding Children, Food Safety and First Aid, as well as attending childcare practice courses. This ensures that children are cared for by a competent, well informed childminder.

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provision

The childminder minimises risks to children, such as by staying close by and reminding them how to sit on chairs when they are up at the table. She regularly checks her smoke alarms and has an emergency evacuation plan in place, although she has not practised this with the children. She has not updated her written risk assessment, which is a legal requirement. Therefore, all areas within the home and garden are not regularly checked to ensure that they are safe.

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provision

The childminder has developed her complaints procedures since the last inspection and this contains most required details, which has improved the organisation of the provision. Very good health and safety policies are in place and these are regularly updated. All policies are shared with the parents so that they are clear about the childminder's role. The childminder is well aware of her responsibilities regarding accident, incident and medication recording.

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provision

The childminder builds up good relationships with parents as she aims to ensure that they feel happy leaving their children. She encourages introductory visits and settling in times and reassures parents regularly. Verbal exchanges take place at drop off and pick up times and excellent individual journals are in place, so that parents are fully informed of their child’s care and what they do. Highly positive letters from parents indicate that they are very happy with the care which is ‘professional and child-centred’ and that their children are treated as unique individuals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Although the children have healthy snacks, such as chopped banana and small savoury biscuits, snack times do not sufficiently promote children’s health, independence and social development. They are not helped to wash their hands or to be ready for their snacks, to prevent the fruit from falling on the floor. Children manage to help themselves to their drinks, which are readily available in their own cups so that they remain well hydrated. Toddlers fall asleep in their pushchairs with their personal comfort items and as part of their individual routine, so that their emotional needs are met very well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder undertakes lovely observations of the children, which are well recorded in their individual journals. She demonstrates a good knowledge of the different areas of learning, but has not yet started to link her observations to the EYFS framework. Therefore, she does not yet track children’s progress or use her observations to plan for the next steps in children’s learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit well from a very good balance of adult led and child-initiated activities, as they attend relevant community groups and go on outings that support their all-round learning and development very well. For example, they feed lambs at a farm visit, play on physical equipment in the park, go to ‘big cook/little This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cook’ sessions, story and song times at the local library and they participate in messy play at the toddler group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children approach the childminder easily. She responds to their needs with warm, affectionate cuddles and words which help children to feel loved and secure. She promotes toddlers language development well by encouraging them to repeat words of familiar objects. Their creative development is also well promoted as the enjoy watching parts of a favourite DVD where they sing and wiggle to the music and they shout excitedly as she blows bubbles for them. Toddlers sit up at the table and successfully hold the pens and pencils making good attempts at mark making. Children have easy access to a good range of equipment, such as varied construction and sturdy wooden jigsaw puzzles that they handle well. Therefore, young children are settled, happy, fully occupied and thoroughly enjoy what they do when they are with the childminder. 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? 2 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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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