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 EY330524 Inspection date 28/04/2009 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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter aged five years in the residential area of South Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and rear bedroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. She has two cats as pets. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 08.00 to 18.30 for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers a very friendly and caring welcome to all children and their families. The wide range of resources and experiences offered ensures each of the areas of learning is covered very well. Systems for planning and observing children are continually being developed. The childminder demonstrates a very sensitive and positive approach to providing an inclusive environment. This includes being proactive in attending relevant training and being willing to liaise with other professionals to meet any specific needs well. The childminder completes a range of training to ensure continuous improvement is effectively maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the planning of activities, linking the observations of children to the early learning goals to clearly plan the next steps in their learning.

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provision

The childminder evaluates the care and education she provides well. She gains verbal and written feedback from parents to give her a fuller picture of the service she offers. All recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been positively addressed. This has resulted in all documentation being up to date and effectively implemented. The childminder identifies her strengths as being the wide variety of activities she provides, including an array of trips to places of interest. She also recognises that her planning and recording of children's progress is an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 area where some improvements can be made. Consequently, she has booked onto a level 3 National Vocational Qualification course in childcare to address this.

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provision

The childminder has built very good relationships with parents. She speaks to them on a daily basis, as well providing comprehensive written diaries of activities their children have participated in. Consequently, parents are fully aware of the experiences their children have enjoyed, which equips them to continue their children's learning at home. Currently there are no children attending who receive education and care in more than one setting. However, the childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners, to ensure continuity and cohesion.

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provision

The childminder has attended initial safeguarding training and is booked onto a further course. She demonstrates a sound understanding of associated issues, which ensures children are well protected. Comprehensive risk assessments for the childminder's home and all outings ensure the risk of accidental injury is effectively reduced.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she is keen to develop further. Children are happy, settled and relate well to the childminder, as she enthusiastically joins in with their play. They develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through a range of activities and resources, which promote a positive outlook of the wider world. The childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour, which takes into account children's understanding and maturity. A very good balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensures appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. Children learn about living things as they visit the farm and wildfowl park. They use their imagination well and this is developed into extended and purposeful play. Children are gaining confidence in using numbers in their play. They also explore

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

shapes and colours, which is reinforced with books, posters and related toys. Very good opportunities are made available for children to express themselves through creative activities. These include partaking in workshops at The Sage in Gateshead, which is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences. Children’s communication skills are fostered well, resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. They enjoy a wide range of books both independently and with the childminder. This interest in books is further developed with trips to the library, which nurtures good habits for the future. The childminder has made a very good start at developing individual books for the children, which include observations. These are a lovely keepsake for parents. However, they do not clearly link to the early learning goals and do not consistently inform future planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed into extremely clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. The childminder implements excellent hygiene procedures when out on visits with the children. An example of this is where she uses anti-bacterial spray on any nappy changing areas. Children are learning about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the importance of good personal hygiene and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. They flourish as they access excellent opportunities for physical play. These include weekly visits to the gym and exploring large climbing equipment at the park. Children's understanding in this area is further developed as the childminder discusses how their bodies change after exercise, for instance when they feel hot and breathless after visiting the gym. They are encouraged to develop their body awareness through planned and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

spontaneous music and movement activities and by looking at interesting related pop-up books. Children are active or restful through choice and babies sleep in-line with their individual needs and parent’s wishes. Children’s well-being is enriched through accessing extremely healthy meals and snacks. These include organic vegetables and a carefully planned menu to ensure a balanced diet is enjoyed. This is complemented with the children being encouraged to try different foods, such as purple sprouting broccoli and squash. They delight in highlighting which foods contain certain vitamins to make them big and strong. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged through discussions around the danger of speaking to strangers, what to do if you become lost and road safety activities. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has all the required procedures and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted 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? 1 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

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