Gannon, Nicola Louise

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 318783 Inspection date 03/06/2009 Inspector Sharon, Amelia Robson

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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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged nine and 14 years. They live in a residential area of Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. The property is within walking distance of local schools, parks, toddler groups and transport links. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog, a cat and two rabbits. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently has three children on roll in the early years range. The childminder has a level 3 childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides children with excellent support to enable them to make very good progress in their learning and development. She is extremely committed to providing an inclusive environment where all children are valued and respected, and where every child's individual needs are met. Children are also encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards diversity and difference, from the extremely positive role model provided by the childminder. They experience an extremely wide range of stimulating and exciting activities, which take into account children's likes, interests and specific needs. The childminder has a great capacity to improve the service she provides, as she regularly evaluates her practice, including reviewing and updating her comprehensive and detailed policies and procedures, and by completing her self-evaluation. She has also put into place detailed and

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

comprehensive written observation, monitoring and assessment procedures and has excellent links with local schools and nurseries.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to expand knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has effective and extremely detailed and comprehensive written policies and procedures in place, including written parental consents for seeking emergency medical treatment, which ensures children are safeguarded effectively. All documentation and records are extremely well organised and confidentially maintained. Children's safety is given the highest priority. Risk assessments are detailed and extensive, taking into account both the indoor and outdoor environment, including outings. They are updated as and when necessary. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children in her care. She has completed a relevant course, therefore ensuring her knowledge is up to date and comprehensive. She has extensive polices and procedures in place regarding safeguarding and ensures she shares this information with

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provision

parents, both verbally and in the parents' written information pack.

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provision

The childminder is extremely proactive in ensuring her knowledge regarding children's learning and development is sound and, as a result, she has attended a number of relevant courses to enhance this. She has recently completed a level 3 childcare qualification. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is aware of the need to continue to expand her knowledge. She has taken time to complete her self-assessment in order to help her to develop her strengths and identify any weaknesses.

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provision

Partnership with parents is extremely strong, as the childminder values their contributions, as well as keeping them well informed about all aspects of their children's developments and achievements. Detailed information from parents is effectively used in planning to ensure learning opportunities are provided that meet children's individual needs. The childminder has provided parents with questionnaires to ensure they are happy with the service she is providing for their children, and she has had extremely positive comments from them. The childminder uses information from parents, including details of children's starting points, to ensure learning opportunities are provided that meet each child's individual needs. Children's development files, daily diaries and photographs are shared with parents, alongside discussions about activities and outings children have been involved in, which enables parents to support their children's learning

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provision

and development at home. The childminder has made extremely good links with other services used by the minded children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has impressive systems in place to ensure children make good progress across all areas of learning. She has excellent observation and assessment records which are linked to the EYFS and used to record and monitor children's development and to identify their next steps of learning. She plans and adapts activities according to children's individual needs and to ensure each child reaches their full potential. Flexible weekly plans are in place to allow the childminder the opportunity to respond to children's interests and to ensure each child is happy and engaged in their learning and play. Children are able to make their own choices, as there is a very good balance between adult-led and child- initiated activities. The childminder interacts extremely well with the minded children, ensuring she takes opportunities to help children develop their skills and learning. For example, as a young child played on the floor with a shape sorter,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

she talked about the shapes they were using, the colour of each piece and how many they had. There was also lots of cheering and clapping of hands when they got the right shape in the sorter.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in their social skills and confidence, as they have regular opportunities to visit local toddler and childminder drop-in groups. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also regularly participate in outdoor activities, including visits to the park and pets' corner and walks along the local bridle path, where children can feed the ducks and see horses in the fields. They also visit soft play centres and use the very well resourced outdoor area on a daily basis. Children have access to a computer, with age-appropriate games and activities; there are also musical activity centres and pop-up toys for the younger children. They have access to an excellent range of books and resources that show positive images of diversity and difference, as well as celebrating cultural festivals and events.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good health and well-being are promoted extremely well, as the childminder uses her detailed information on children's dietary and health needs appropriately. There are extremely comprehensive written health and welfare policies and procedures in place, including a detailed sick child policy, all of which are shared with parents. Hygiene procedures are promoted as children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, after stroking one of the family's pets, and the childminder discusses with the children the reasons for doing this. Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided and the childminder has completed a relevant food hygiene course. She also takes time to talk to children about healthy eating and foods that are good for them. Children have a very good knowledge of safety whilst in the childminders home, and when out and about with her. She talks to them about how to be safe when out walking and crossing the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are exceedingly happy and settled in the childminder's home. She is extremely responsive, kind and patient with the minded children and she ensures they feel very comfortable and secure. Children are very well behaved, have very good manners and respond extremely well to the childminder's routines and consistent boundaries. They are happy to help with tidying up and respond positively to praise and encouragement. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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