Childminder in GatesheadOfsted inspection, 10 Mar 2009

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 311783 Inspection date 10/03/2009 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 1995. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the Low Fell area of Gateshead with her mother and brother. Her mother is also a registered childminder and foster carer and they work in partnership as co-childminders. The ground floor of the home, the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear yard for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of six children. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years and one child aged eight. When working with her co-childminder they may care for a maximum of 12 children.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an NNEB qualified nursery nurse.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder treats children equally recognising that they are all individuals, which demonstrates a commitment to equality. They benefit well from good quality care and learning opportunities and most welfare requirements of the EYFS are met. The childminder continually works hard to provide a good service by changing her practice where needed and addressing recommendations from the previous inspection, although she does not yet use any form of self-evaluation. She works very well in partnership with parents and other early years provisions, as they effectively share what they know about the children's interests and development needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider using self-evaluation to review and reflect on practice, so that ways to improve the quality of the care, learning and development are identified.

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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). 07/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is very experienced and holds a recognised childcare qualification. She regularly attends further training and has recently completed a level 2 food hygiene certificate and first aid qualification. She often attends training at the weekends demonstrating a commitment to ongoing self-development. The childminder has not carried out any self-evaluation or undertaken any form of reflective practice, as this is a new area of work for her. However, she has made good improvements to recommendations from the last inspection and has developed the playroom so that children’s safety, welfare and enjoyment are enhanced further.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding. She has all relevant contact numbers for child protection concerns and emergencies, policies and procedures are documented and shared with parents and all relevant written consents from parents are in place. However, the childminder has not yet devised a written risk assessment, which is a requirement of the EYFS.

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provision

She works effectively with the parents passing on information verbally and gathers all facts about children’s routines, likes, dislikes and interests. She also has good relationships with other early year’s settings that pre-school children attend. As she is the main carer who collects and drops off some children, she ensures that vital information is passed onto parents as well as what their children have been doing. This ensures that effective partnerships are in place so that parents, nursery staff and the childminder all work together well to meet the individual needs of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children play in a child friendly environment where their toys are safely stored and easily accessible. Good use is made of the home environment. For example, one room is used as a playroom, a sleep/quiet room is available and children eat main meals and carry out creative play at the table in the kitchen. Safety practices are good so that children successfully learn about staying safe. For example, they regularly practice fire drills and children know how to raise emergency services should they need to as the childminder has devised a child-friendly picture and word card with relevant information on and the children know where this is kept. Children’s safety within the home and on outings is well promoted. For example, child safety equipment is used effectively, the home is secure and relevant car seats are used. She also looks for ways to improve this area of practice as she recently purchased safety reins that are strapped to her as well as the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The co-childminder tends to take responsibility for preparing meals which are healthy and nutritious. The childminder finds out from parents children’s likes and dislikes and records any allergies, which ensures that children only have food that they enjoy and can tolerate. Children also have good opportunities to be outdoors so that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. For example, they sometimes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 walk to and from school, they go to the park or play pretend games in the back yard as the children have set up the playhouse as a café.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children very well and although certain activities are planned, such as making Mothers day items and baking, activities generally follow the children’s interests as they independently choose the toys that they want to play with. Written observations and photographs of the children are successfully linked to the areas of learning within the EYFS. The childminder demonstrates an emerging knowledge of how to track the children’s progress by using a ‘further lines of development’ section to record what she will do next to help children progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and comfortable in the childminding environment. They choose their toys independently and help to put things away when they are finished with them, this fosters a good sense of responsibility and ownership. They sit up on the settee beside the childminder comfortably and enjoy the quiet time with her while they look at books. They become more animated as they show a keen interest in the pictures, talk about what they see and what might happen in the story. They receive warm, natural cuddles as they sit with her and have clearly built up positive relationships, which promotes their personal, social and emotional development very well. 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? 2

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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? 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, since registration.

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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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