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

p.1

Unique reference number EY311356 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Jim Bostock

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 14 year- old daughter in Gosforth, Newcastle. Most of the ground floor of the premises, including a playroom and a first floor rear bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden area.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years. At present she cares for four children in the early years age range, all on a part time basis. The provision has the facility to use the childminder's adult daughter as an assistant. The childminder walks to local child friendly facilities and takes minded children to local toddler groups. The family have a dog which is mostly kept in a separate part of the house.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder establishes good working relationships with parents and carers. She gets to know the children and meets their individual needs very well, which helps them to feel happy and relaxed in her care. They are making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides worthwhile activities and experiences for them. She is dedicated, well organised and provides an inclusive service which helps children develop positive attitudes towards difference and diversity. She is beginning to review her provision for children and is committed to improve any areas of her work that are in need of further development.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 continue to develop assessment of children progress to inform planning for activities to meet individual needs  continue to develop the self-evaluation process. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 develop the existing written risk assessments to include outings (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 27/02/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder is very conscientious and consistent in her approach to training. She attends numerous useful courses and has recently completed the Homebased Childcarers course which is a National Vocational Qualification at level three. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evaluates her provision with regard to safety in most respects, carrying out daily safety checks in her home and taking steps to keep children safe and comfortable indoors. However, although the childminder is fully aware of dangers to children when out of the premises, written risk assessments are not in place as required for outings.

p.3

provision

The childminder is experienced and well qualified to work with children. She provides a wide range of interesting toys and resources which are attractively arranged and easily accessed. She plans her time well so that children enjoy a variety of activities in the home and on outings and she meets the needs of each child very well overall.

p.4

provision

The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and outside agencies. For instance, she followed on activities from a local playgroup attended by children using her service, by organising an activity about Chinese New Year. She maintains all of the required records and most written consents for children to ensure their care, welfare and safeguarding. She has devised suitable policy and procedure documents which she shares with parents so that they are aware of her responsibilities, aims and methods. Parents have provided very supportive written references about the care and progress of their children. A parent who visited during the inspection said that they could not speak more highly of the childminder who their children adored. The childminder has recently started to keep records of children's learning and their progress which she shares with parents so that the adults can work together for the good of the children.

p.4

provision

However, this process and self-evaluation, is still being developed.

p.4

provision

The childminder is committed to safeguarding the children in her care. She keeps her knowledge of child protection issues up to date so that she can identify any child at risk of harm. She has contact details of appropriate agencies to hand. Recommendations from the last inspection have been fully met as the childminder has developed her complaints procedure. She has also greatly improved her resources to positively reflect different cultures, religions, ethnicity and disability. Children now have access to a good range of multicultural toys and playthings and celebrate a range of festivals which help them develop an understanding of their own culture and awareness of difference, which is positively presented to promote tolerance and acceptance of others.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into a bright, orderly home environment. The childminder is calming and affectionate with children which helps them to feel secure, welcome and settled. The children have easy access to a very attractive selection of toys and resources which are set out for them to see or arranged in trays and boxes at a low level so they can choose and make decisions. The childminder is fully involved with the children. She gets down on the floor to play with them, supports them and interacts with them effectively to help them to learn from their activities. She is particularly skilled in extending their vocabulary. She models clear speech, helps children to learn the names of animals and colour words and is responsive to babies when they babble and chatter. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder plans a varied programme of activities and outings for the

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

children. She provides purposeful play opportunities in her home which include baking, craft activities, stories, sharing books, sorting and counting. She takes children to various groups to promote their social skills and to give them opportunities to play with different toys. She is adept at managing children's behaviour. She soothes the children and provides activities that attract their interest and helps them to channel their energies into worthwhile play.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder finds out children's starting points by liaising with parents and from observing the children when they are in her care. She is making good progress in developing this aspect of her work with children. She has successfully helped children to progress and they are beginning to show consideration, tolerance and kindness for their playmates.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well overall. Effective steps that have been taken to keep children safe indoors include the installation of safety gates to make the stairs and dangerous items in the kitchen inaccessible. The outdoor area is secure.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean environment which is very well resourced. Children are encouraged to develop good hygiene practice, enjoy healthy snacks, frequent drinks and tasty, nutritious meals. The childminder works very well with parents to identify and resolve any health issues with children, which promotes their good health. Children learn about road safety on their outings and she reminds them about being safe indoors. They have good opportunities to develop an interest in books and mark making, and learn about numbers and counting. These activities, together with construction play and the exploration of the natural environment, provide a good basis for future experimentation and learning. 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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?

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