Childminder in Gateshead

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 311659 Inspection date 08/04/2009 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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 has been registered since January 1993. She lives with her husband and their 17 year child in the Blaydon area of Gateshead. Children have access to the living room, dining room, kitchen, front garden and back yard. The premises are near to local amenities, such as shops, schools and nursery.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for six children three of who are in the early age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has two cats and two rabbits.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a safe, secure and caring environment for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She knows the children extremely well and provides resources and activities that she knows they enjoy and ensures that they are fully supported in their development. Overall, children's health and safety is supported well, however written risk assessments are not in place. Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder develops with parents and others involved in their care, which ensures information is shared effectively and appropriately in order to meet their needs.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop assessment systems further to ensure there are clear links to the specific aspects of each area of learning and development.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 carry out written risk assessments to include all areas children come into contact with and include all outings undertaken (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 07/05/2009

p.3

provision

Effective partnerships are well-established with parents and verbal information is shared with them on a daily basis, with regard to children's welfare and the activities they have taken part in. The childminder obtains essential information from parents to enable her to support children's needs and ensures that their wishes are fully respected. She has developed secure, trusting relationships with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minded children which ensures that they are relaxed and settled when in her care. The childminder discusses information regarding routines and procedures with parents on admission. All required written parental consents are obtained and are readily accessed by the childminder should they be needed in an emergency. Written risk assessments are not in place, therefore the welfare requirement is not met. However, the measures and procedures followed by the childminder ensure

p.3

provision

that children remain safe and well protected. The childminder ensures a cohesive service is provided through effective links with other provides, such as nursery and playgroup to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

p.4

provision

The childminder has in place clear steps for the emergency evacuation of her home and minded children are fully aware of what they should do if they need to leave the premises in an emergency. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to promote children's safety and welfare, she has local contact numbers in place with the steps to follow on the local safeguarding children procedures should she have any concerns regarding a child's welfare.

p.4

provision

The childminder is currently studying an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in early years childcare and education to help her develop her knowledge and to benefit children. Self evaluation is in the early stages. The childminder has considered the process of self-evaluation and has identified strengths and areas for improvement to ensure the continuous improvement of the service.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a wide range of activities and resources to promote their learning and development well. She has been looking after the minded children since they were babies so is fully aware of their starting points and capabilities. She spends time interacting with them and ensuring that their learning needs are fully supported. The childminder undertakes informal observations and is fully aware of what children can do and how she can plan for their next step in learning. Photographs of children enjoying the range of activities available to them are used to help demonstrate children's progress however, the childminder does not include any form of narrative to outline the learning intentions and is not yet making the links to the learning and development goals. The childminder has a caring attitude towards all children and adopts a flexible approach to ensure that children are content in her care.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's interests are given high priority when planning the outings, for example, one child loves trains and vehicles so the childminder arranges regular visits to the train station using the bus to get there. The child enthusiastically recalls the journey to the train station identifying numbers and colours of the buses and familiar land marks within the area, thus helping to demonstrates the vast spontaneous learning opportunities that takes place. Children have free access to a wide selection of resources, which include building blocks, jigsaws, books, art and craft resources and role play equipment. The children enjoy making Easter cards using scissors competently to cut shapes which they stick onto their card, they decorate eggs in a variety of ways and then make very good attempts to write their names helping to develop their pre-writing skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Some cultural festivals are celebrated which are reflective of the wider world, and resources which promote positive images of diversity are available for children to use in their daily play. Children behave exceptionally well, playing alongside one another often engaged in the same activity. They respond positively to the childminder who uses positive techniques when dealing with behaviour management. Children make choices and decisions in their play, whilst also enjoying more structured activities led by the childminder. For example, they plant sunflower seeds and the childminder uses this theme to extend children's knowledge of caring for living things. The children remain fully engaged in their play and there is little time for them to become bored or disinterested.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and dietary needs are fully supported as the childminder ensures that they have a selection of health snacks and meals. Parents' wishes are fully respected and the childminder ensures all children's health and dietary needs are fully met. Children are developing a good understanding on personal hygiene as children manage their own toileting needs and know to wash their hands before eating. The childminder ensures that children are offered regular drinks throughout the day to ensure they are not thirsty. 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? 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: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints made by a parent (CR7.1). 07/05/2009

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Childcare section of the report (CR7.1). 07/05/2009 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