Childminder 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 EY102280 Inspection date 13/05/2009 Inspector Jayne Utting

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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 December 2002. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He works as a co-childminder alongside his wife. They operate from their home which is situated in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for supervised outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of three children in the Early Years Foundation Stage when working alone, and six in this age group when working with his co-childminder. There are currently ten children attending who are within the EYFS age group. Children attend on various days and times.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Exemplary partnerships with parents ensures that the childminder has a detailed, accurate understanding and knowledge of each child's background and needs and as a result they receive an enjoyable and challenging care and learning experience. A first class role model, children know that they are valued and learn to treat others with the same respect and kindness. As a result the childminder has formed strong and trusting relationships with the children in his care, ensuring the provision of a truly unique home-from -home environment. This combined with effective systems for ongoing self-evaluation means that both he and his co-childminder are very aware of their combined strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating an ethos of continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop effective systems for observations to clearly show children's ongoing progress.

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provision

A comprehensive self-evaluation form has been completed by the childminder and his co-minder, as they work in close partnership, sharing responsibilities. This document clearly shows an excellent understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement, and reflects their commitment to continuous improvement for the benefit of the children. The views of parents and children are actively sought through discussion and the regular dissemination of questionnaires. All comments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are received positively and the childminder ensures that suggestions and comments are incorporated into their excellent practice. They also regularly review their practices and activities and at the end of the day, reflecting on what went well, and what they would do differently, as they discuss the provision and share ideas to further promote the high quality of care offered.

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provision

Highly effective safety practices, such as regular fire drills, locking external doors, recording visitors and undertaking detailed risk assessments, create an environment where children's safety is of paramount importance. Alongside this, vigilant supervision from the childminder and the co-childminder, coupled with their strong awareness of safeguarding children issues, minimises potential hazards and protects children from unsuitable people.

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provision

The highly comprehensive policies and procedures clearly reflect the childminder's excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, ensuring children are well protected. There are well maintained systems in place to record attendance, as well as effective recording systems for medication administration, accidents and allergies. These are all meticulously kept and monitored. All confidential information is stored appropriately. All adults living in the house have undergone the relevant checks to ensure their suitability to be in close proximity of children and these are readily available in the childminder's file.

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provision

The childminder maintains excellent links with parents and carers, collecting and sharing information about children, valuing their contributions as partners in their ongoing learning and development. Parents are asked to read key policies and procedures, including the complaints procedure and are asked to sign to confirm their understanding of these. They are kept very well informed of their child’s progress and achievements through verbal feedback, daily diaries and access to their individual development files. The childminder regularly sends photographs electronically to parents so they can see their children enjoying themselves and have also put together a beautiful scrapbook which documents all the fun adventures the children have during their time with their childminders.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s welfare is extremely well promoted. They use the spacious garden on a daily basis and children play with a variety of equipment that helps to develop their physical skills, or they grow tomatoes and strawberries, and plant sunflower seeds. They enjoy plenty of healthy snacks which include fresh fruit and children thoroughly enjoy making smoothies. This positive attitude to healthy eating is further promoted through topics on 'my body' as well as fruit picking in the summer months. Children enjoy the social time over lunch when everyone sits together including the childminders, which provides valuable time for them to talk about their day. Children are only given food that they like and the childminder ensures that individual choices are acknowledged.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through the excellent approach that the childminder takes, the children are learning extremely effective ways to stay safe. For example, before outings, the children are briefed about the importance of staying close to one another and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 holding onto the buggy. Highly beneficial opportunities like these allow the children to take a degree of risk, raise their awareness of potential danger and teach them about personal safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s individual needs are exceptionally well met as the childminder is clearly aware of their individual likes and personalities. Children have formed excellent relationships with the childminder, for example, they seek comfort when they are upset or need reassurance and receive lots of warm, natural cuddles, affection and verbal praise which helps them to feel secure. The childminder is an exceptional role model to the children, who are learning from him the merits of patience, kindness and being fair. Both he and his co-minder ensure that they support, praise and encourage children at every opportunity, thereby developing their self- esteem, confidence and sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a broad range of fun activities which contribute to their imaginative, physical, creative and language skills, such as role play, drawing, construction, garden games, arts and crafts and dance. Children love to dress up as butterflies and clowns, and pose happily for pictures to remind them of the fun they have had that day. Children also have ample opportunities to socialise with each other and their peers through visits to local drop-in groups, soft play and trips to local places of interest such as the Baltic, Discovery museum and Jesmond Dene. These opportunities allow children to develop skills, such as co-operation and turn-taking, enabling them to function successfully as part of a group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are robust systems in place to collect information about what children enjoy and can do before they start. This combined with purposeful ongoing observational assessment ensures the childminder provides enjoyable and challenging experiences tailored to the individual needs of the children. However, whilst children’s achievements and next steps are clearly recorded in their individual development files, these do not include detailed evidence of the observations undertaken to support these. The childminder always take an active role in the children’s activities and is highly skilled at recognising and maximising learning opportunities ensuring all children make good progress within the EYFS. 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? 1 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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