Bradshaw, Wendy

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY310510 Inspection date 16/01/2009 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 16 in Greenside near Ryton, Gateshead. There is level access to her home, which is close to all facilities including local schools and nurseries. All rooms on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder has two pet dogs.

p.3

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. Currently there are four children in the early years age group, all of which attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Excellent relationships between the childminder and the children she cares for promote the children's welfare and enable them to make very good progress in their learning and development. Good priority is given to inclusion. This is exemplified by effective partnership working, which allows the childminder to meet the needs of every child in full. Productive self evaluation enables the childminder to identify areas for improvement. Documentation is not sufficiently well organised.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure that records are easily accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted.

p.3

provision

The way records are organised means that some are not readily available for inspection. However, all essential documentation is in place. It is stored securely to protect confidentiality and details are amended as soon as changes occur to keep information up to date and accurate. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully addressed. This, alongside the effective way the childminder assesses and evaluates her practice, reflects the childminder's good capacity to make improvements.

p.3

provision

Children are well protected through the childminder's strong awareness of safeguarding issues and her vigilant supervision of the children. She ensures that her knowledge of child protection is up to date through regular participation in relevant training. She is committed to and very enthusiastic about further training in general. Recent courses include first aid, enabling environments and Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage training.

p.3

provision

Risk assessments are very thorough and cover all the areas, furniture and equipment used by the children. The good standard of hygiene in the childminder's well organised home promotes children's health and well-being, while consistent routines, such as hand washing before meals, teach them the importance of cleanliness. The highly appropriate sick children policy helps to contain the spread of common illnesses.

p.4

provision

The childminder's good regard for inclusion is demonstrated in the way she confers with teaching staff from schools and nurseries that the children attend. This ensures that the children receive the individual support they require and good partnership with parents consolidates this. Parents have highly positive views of the childminder and the service she provides. They describe her as 'reliable, trustworthy and professional'. They like her 'cheerful approach' and particularly value the fact that that their children take part in a wide range of activities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder collaborates with parents to complete 'all about me' forms to establish children's starting points and existing abilities. Along with highly perceptive observation and assessment of the children, this enables the childminder to plan activities that appeal to individual children. Plans cover all areas of learning and demonstrate that children benefit from a rich mix of indoor, outdoor, energetic and quiet activities that help them make excellent progress towards the early learning goals.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

For example, during a baking activity they discover different textures as they handle flour and eggs. They learn about weight and measure when gathering the ingredients and about shape as they use cutters to form the mixture into cakes, scones or biscuits. The children love new experiences and take delight in feeling cooked, cold spaghetti or beans. These fun and interesting opportunities promote children's mathematical and creative development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have easy access to a wealth of top-quality, developmentally appropriate toys and resources. This enables them to initiate their own play and pursue their own interests at their own pace. The children particularly like books. They select favourites, for example, 'My Favourite Potty' and show great enjoyment as they look through the pages. This helps children to understand that text and illustration carry meaning and is highly beneficial to children's literacy development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Relationships are excellent. Consequently, children are happy, secure and have a very good propensity to learn. The children are well supported by the childminder who gives very good regard to their welfare. This is exemplified in the appetising snacks they eat, which include fruit, vegetables, crackers and cheese. Daily walks keep the children fit and alert and they learn how to stay safe through worthwhile practices like carrying out road safety drills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder teaches the children to behave acceptably. Her good guidance helps them to understand right from wrong. The children go on outings and go to toddler groups. This supports the development of important social skills and introduces children to people who range in abilities and cultural and ethnic backgrounds. These experiences help children to learn about the wider world and

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

teach them to respect diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8