Childminder, Out-of school day care 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

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Unique reference number 318730 Inspection date 23/04/2009 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

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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 1990. She lives in a downstairs flat with her husband and adult daughter in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Her home is close to all facilities including local schools and nurseries. All rooms apart from the bedrooms are used for childminding and there is an enclosed front garden and a nearby park for outdoor play. The childminder has two cats and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently there are three children in the early years age group and 10 older children on roll. The children attend at staggered intervals and are taken and collected from local schools and nurseries by the childminder. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network and of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The quality of the provision is good overall. The childminder gives good regard to the children's welfare and has a strong understanding of all the children. This produces an inclusive service which fully meets the children's individual needs so they make good progress in their learning and development. Sound links have been made with other agencies and partnership with parents is particularly good. Self-evaluation is effective and on-going so the capacity for further improvement is good. Risk assessment requires further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessment, to cover anything with which a child may come into contact.

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provision

Records are well organised, readily available and stored securely to protect confidentiality. Details are amended as soon as changes occur, to keep information up to date and accurate and all essential documentation and policies are in place. The registration and public liability certificates are prominently displayed to allow scrutiny and the childminder ensures that parents have access to all records that pertain to their children.

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provision

Partnership with parents is very good. Contracts are used, which set out clearly the expectations of parents and the childminder. Daily discussions keep both parties fully informed of the children's recent experiences, while questionnaires offer parents the opportunity to express their views and opinions. Parents have very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive views about the childminder and her work. They describe her as 'friendly, approachable and professional' and say she provides a 'happy and safe environment' for children. They add that children receive 'very loving and personal care' and give the service 'ten out of ten'.

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provision

Links with other agencies are sound. The childminder talks to staff in nurseries that the children attend, which enables her to complement the care and education they receive there. She reflects on her practice and carries out effective self-assessment that helps her to identify areas for improvement. As well as this, the childminder has fully addressed recommendations made at the last inspection and attends further training to keep her practice informed.

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provision

Good priority is given to safeguarding. The childminder's awareness of child protection issues is sound, which keeps children safe from unsuitable people. She teaches children highly effective ways to protect themselves, such as practising fire drills with them and road safety. This encourages children to take some responsibility for their own safety and helps them to manage risk. While sensible precautions are taken to reduce accidents inside the home, the risk assessment does not cover all the areas, furniture and equipment used by children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Relationships between the childminder and the children are excellent. The children receive very good support from the childminder, which increases their propensity to learn and makes them highly receptive to new experiences. The childminder has very good knowledge of each child in her care. This contributes to perceptive observations and assessments she makes of them and enables her to establish their starting points and abilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder tracks children's progress in 'All About Me' files. These show the effective way she makes plans that help children make good progress toward the early learning goals. Plans cover all areas of learning and show a well balanced mix of indoor and outdoor activities that offer children plenty of scope in which to have fun and enjoy themselves. For example, they dress up, dance and play with puppets, all of which encourages them to use their imagination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

An excellent range of outings increases the children's knowledge and understanding of the world and helps them to develop important social skills. They visit local farms and landmarks in the city centre. They have great opportunities to learn about different types of transport when they travel on ferries, steam trains, buses and the local underground system. They develop a sense of history when they visit Roman ruins and learn about the natural world by growing cress and studying the effects of rain on pebbles and stones.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Sensitive guidance from the childminder teaches the children right from wrong and how to behave acceptably. The children are taught to think about the effects of their actions, which helps them to understand consequences and they are introduced to important social issues. They learn about disability by handling good quality books, such as 'Ringo the Flamingo' and see positive images of culture, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 gender and ethnicity in other resources, like jigsaws and small world items. This helps the children to respect difference and teaches them the importance of tolerance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's health is well promoted. They eat nutritious and appetising meals and snacks that help them to grow fit and strong. Consistent routines, such as hand washing before meals, help the children to understand the importance of cleanliness. As well as this, the children's emotional well-being flourishes in the loving and welcoming environment that the childminder provides for them so they feel valued, happy and secure. 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

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