Childminder in South Tyneside

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 EY379236 Inspection date 27/01/2009 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and five years. They live in the residential area of Westoe in South Shields. The childminder’s home is accessed by one small step. The whole of the of the childminder’s home except for the master bedroom is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. There is currently one child on roll. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.30 to 18.00 for 48 weeks of the year. She has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a warm and friendly welcome to all children and their families. The appropriate range of activities and adequate planning ensures children have opportunities to make progress. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. This includes being willing to attend relevant training and work with other professionals to meet individual needs well. The majority of systems and most documentation are in place with regard to keeping children safe. The childminder basically reviews the care and education she provides to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the planning of activities and systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  develop systems to ensure regular evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  further develop systems to engage in informed reflective practice. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 further develop systems for recording each risk assessment undertaken, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. 03/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has completed training on completing a self-evaluation form and she does look very generally at the service she provides. She does not have well- established systems to effectively reflect on her practice. Consequently, she finds it difficult to identify weaknesses. The childminder does recognise her strengths as being the range of activities the children can access and the use of trips to extend their learning. She also acknowledges that an area for improvement is her understanding of how to self-evaluate. This results in her being willing to liaise with a local authority childcare development worker and access relevant training to make further progress.

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provision

The childminder has built good relationships with parents. She discusses with them the activities their children have participated in on a daily basis and complements this with comprehensive written diaries. Consequently, parents are fully informed and can continue activities at home to further their children's learning. The childminder has started to make links with staff at the local nursery, so they are aware of the activities children enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. This promotes continuity of care and education.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of safeguarding issues. This includes having a written procedure and easily accessible contact numbers should she need to make a referral. Consequently, children are suitably protected. A record of written risk assessments is in place for the childminder's home. However, although visual risk assessments take place for outings there is no record kept. This is a breach of the requirements. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and her husband have had suitable checks completed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The range of activities and resources she provides ensures each of the areas of learning is covered. She has a basic routine organised for the week and does some simple planning for the children attending. Individual written diaries do show the experiences the children have participated in. However, they do not link to the early learning goals. Therefore, it is difficult to see if progress is being made in each area, and the observations are not effectively used to inform the planning. Children benefit from a flexible routine including a balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. They enjoy using their imaginations and develop their social skills as they have a teddy bears picnic on a blanket in the bedroom. Children show an awareness of shape as they complete puzzles. Use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities, including trips to the library and local

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

museum. The childminder provides different activities to raise children's awareness of the natural world. An example of this is where they plant and nurture pansies and petunias. Children use information and communication technology to support their learning, for example by accessing a variety of programmable toys. They enjoy drawing and crayoning and are developing good hand and eye coordination. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Consistent behaviour management ensures children understand right from wrong. The childminder’s positive attitude to equal opportunities ensures children have a growing awareness of the wider community. This is further confirmed with the celebration of some festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Christmas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a well-maintained environment, where toys and equipment are cleaned regularly. They are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, children spontaneously clean their hands before eating. This fosters children's emerging understanding of how to stop germs spreading and keep themselves well and healthy. Regular walks, trips to the park and weekly dance classes, provide good opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage their physical development. Children’s well-being is enriched through accessing a very healthy diet. This includes fish, fresh fruit and organic vegetables. Children are kept safe on outings as they learn road safety procedures and understand simple rules, such as holding hands when crossing the road. They experience appropriate levels of supervision and safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reduced. Routines such as tidying away toys from the floor encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety. However, the childminder does not ensure regular evacuation drills are carried out, which has a negative impact on safeguarding children. This also results in a log not maintained. All other relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. 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? 3 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? 3

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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? 3 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 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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