Walker, Susan

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 EY297806 Inspection date 10/12/2008 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 lives in Benton, Newcastle with her husband and their three children aged 13, 12 and six years old. The whole of the house, except one bedroom on the first floor which is accessed by the stairs, is used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll, all except one, attend on a full-time basis. The childminder is part of the local childminding network. The family have one guinea pig, a dog and two giant African snails.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a superbly organised setting where they play with a vast array of quality toys and equipment that suit their individual needs and provide them with challenge. The childminder's attitude towards further training, updating her knowledge and securely involving parents to make them feel valued is impeccable and has a massive impact on ensuring that children feel like part of the family and are provided with the best possible care.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder continually strives to improve her practice which ensures she provides an environment where children’s play and individuality are very highly valued and respected. Excellent links with parents, local schools and the community provide a valuable resource to ensure that the childminder has an in depth understanding of children’s needs and developments. Inclusion plays a significant part in ensuring that all children feel very safe, happy and hugely relaxed in the setting through the childminder’s outstanding drive to meet each and every one of their individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide further opportunities to encourage children to become more independent in self care tasks.

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provision

Precise, comprehensive paperwork and written policies contribute to providing an excellent environment to safeguard children’s well-being and safety. A consistent and determined effort to ensure that parents feel valued and able to contribute to their child’s learning is highly effective, for example, the childminder conducts home visits to develop successful links with children’s families and explain about any changes to her role. Partnerships with schools that care for the children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equally beneficial and highly successful in ensuring that valuable information about children's learning is shared effectively to benefit the care and development of the children.

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provision

The childminder’s evaluation of her practice is meticulous and leads to exceptional improvement in the quality of care that is provided for all children. For example, through more effective and creative organisation of resources to enable them to select activities themselves. She takes pictures of the equipment and toys that are not on display and has produced a book which children look in to see what they would like to play with.

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provision

Robust and rigorous checks and procedures ensure that children’s safety and welfare remain a high priority and means they move freely and confidently around the safe, secure premises. Regular child protection training means that children are cared for by a childminder who is competent and confident in her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children’s well-being. In addition, an open and honest approach with the parents ensures that they are clear about how she will deal with concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relish their time with the childminder. She plans exceptionally well to provide them with well planned and child initiated, worthwhile activities that stimulate their interest in learning and exploration. Because of this, children make exceptional progress in their learning from their starting points. Observations and assessments about what children can do ensure that the childminder can provide a clear outline of how she will move them forward to the next steps on their learning journey. This also provides her with the tools needed to focus on any areas where more activities are needed to stimulate children’s interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy lovely relationships with each other as they play happily together, with support from the childminder, and show care and concern for each other with spontaneous cuddles. The highly effective well organised premises allow children to mostly gain independence as they keenly pull small chairs up to the bench and get out spoons to help the childminder make their lunch of cauliflower cheese. Some children are extremely confident communicators as they enjoy conversations, ask questions and share ideas to help them gain a deeper understanding of issues, such as the Christmas story. The childminder’s strategies for encouraging talking and listening skills with children who speak English as an additional language are highly successful. She respects their individual needs but also repeats words, learns key words from their home language and shows them things that she is talking about, all of which contribute to their good emerging

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Successful, creative use of the outdoor space ensures that children have significant opportunities to play out in the fresh air in all weathers and to further develop the physical skills that contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. Excellent use of resources in the garden means children have time to make fabulous constructions out of willow and piping, the latter of which they enjoy exploring as they fill the pipes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with water to see what will happen. Low-level magnetic boards and chalk boards provide them with the chance to develop their creative and emerging writing skills in an exciting and vibrant area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Highly successful activities help children to learn how to stay safe as they discuss road safety and are confident about what to do in the event of a fire. Consistent procedures ensure that children remain safe both in and outdoors. They wear luminous vests over their coats on outings and rigorous daily and quarterly risk assessments ensure that all areas of the house are safe for their use.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from wholesome and varied foods due to the childminder’s exceptional understanding of the importance of a healthy diet. Children have regular opportunities to prepare healthy foods through attendance at a weekly cooking group and they grow their own vegetable at an allotment, which they then eat. Children’s personal hygiene is promoted and safeguarded highly effectively through appropriately placed posters reminding children to wash their hands, and routine cleaning of equipment by 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? 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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