Miller, Maria

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 EY301374 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and children, aged 25, 17 and 15, in Sunniside, near Gateshead. There is level access to her home, which is close to all facilities including local schools and nurseries. The whole of the ground floor and one first floor bedroom are used for childminding; there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and may provide overnight care for two children. Currently there are three children in the early years age group on roll; older children attend also. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and supports children with disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Gateshead Childminding Network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Excellent priority is given to inclusion and children's welfare is very well promoted, consequently, all the children's needs are met in full. Exceptional relationships exist. This increases children's propensity to learn and they make very good progress in their learning and development. Partnership working is very good, especially partnership with parents, which is outstanding. Self-evaluation is robust and highly effective in targeting areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue further training to promote professional development.

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provision

Documentation is impeccable. All essential records and written policies are in place, very well organised and readily available to interested parties. They are stored securely to protect confidentiality and information is amended as soon as changes occur to keep it up to date and accurate. Records include details of children's specific needs demonstrating the childminder's excellent approach to inclusion. Registration and insurance certificates are prominently displayed as is a poster that explains how to make a complaint.

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provision

The childminder's capacity for improvement is excellent, exemplified in the way she continually assesses her practice and in the way recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. She holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and strives to provide high quality care and education for children by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 undertaking relevant training. Recent courses include basic food hygiene, inclusive practice, the Islamic faith and safeguarding. The childminder is fully committed to professional development and plans to participate in further training in the future.

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provision

Partnership with parents is outstanding. Parents receive highly informative packs containing written policies to give them an insight into the childminder's work. A dedicated notice board displays topical information while parents and the childminder keep each other fully informed of the children's recent experiences through daily discussions, daily sheets and scrap books of the children's progress. Parents have highly positive views of the childminder. They describe her as 'organised, focused and very professional', say she is '100 per cent committed' and rate the service she provides as 'first class'.

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provision

Excellent regard is given to the children's safety and well-being. Thorough risk assessments minimise risks indoors and out and worthwhile discussions and practices teach the children ways to stay safe. For example, the children talk about 'stranger danger' with the childminder and they carry out emergency evacuation drills, to raise their awareness of how to act in an emergency. The childminder's knowledge of safeguarding is also very good and protects children from unsuitable people and dangerous situations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Very well defined play areas and easy access to top quality toys and resources enable the children to initiate their own play and work at their own pace. The childminder establishes children's starting points and abilities through accurate and perceptive observations and assessments of the children as they play. She uses this information and liaises with other professionals involved with the children to identify children's needs, including additional ones, and plans fun-filled activities which appeal to children's natural curiosity and help them make excellent progress in all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

For example, the children love to search through interest boxes. These contain objects, such as wooden spoons, picture frames, sticks and twine, which the children use in their own individual way to make pictures, or puppets. The children have excellent opportunities to be creative in general. They thoroughly enjoy dancing and respond enthusiastically when they hear favourite tunes like 'Twinkle Twinkle'; this allows them to express emotion.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is outstanding scope for children to develop their literacy and communication skills. They are fascinated by books, such as 'In The Night Garden', which introduce children to rhyme and almost all of the children use sign- language. This means all the children feel fully included in all the activities available to them. The children like to find out about the wider world. They go on nature digs to find insects and celebrate a range of festivals which raises their awareness of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Consistent routines, like hand washing before meals and brushing teeth afterwards, increase the children's awareness of personal hygiene and promote the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's health. Appetising meals and snacks, which include fruit and vegetables the children have grown themselves, encourage the development of healthy tastes and preferences. As well as this, the children play energetic outdoor games of football and learn that exercise is fun.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Sensitive guidance from the childminder teaches the children how to behave acceptably. She encourages the children to think about the effect of their actions, which helps them to understand consequences and right from wrong. Relationships between the children and the childminder are exceptional. The children are happy, secure and settled through the very good support and attention they receive from the childminder. She is an excellent role model who teaches children to respect themselves and others through the example she sets. 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 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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