Childminder in North 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

p.1

Unique reference number EY314694 Inspection date 23/06/2009 Inspector Shirley Peart

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 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 September 2005. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and children aged 11, nine and five years. The ground floor of the home, which includes a downstairs toilet is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden and patio area for outside play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

p.3

Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development and the Diploma in Home-based Childcare.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for by a highly effective, competent childminder who treats each child as a unique individual as she knows them very well. She has an excellent understanding of the EYFS which ensures that children’s welfare, learning and development is extremely well promoted and planning is tailored to each child’s interests and abilities. She works effectively in partnership with parents and other relevant professionals and continually reflects on her practice by using self-evaluation. She promotes inclusion well, so that no child is disadvantaged or discriminated against.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 up-dating the documentation with the correct Ofsted contact details.

p.3

provision

The childminder has a professional approach to her career and self-development. She has relevant childcare qualifications and is currently working towards becoming an accredited childminder and the National Childminding Association Quality Assurance Award. This ensures that children are care for by a competent, dedicated childminder. She has completed a comprehensive self-evaluation, which has helped her to identify her very good practice and what plans she has for the future, so that she can continue to promote good outcomes for the children. Recommendations from the last inspection have been met well or are no longer This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relevant to current childcare regulations. She has regular contact with other childminders and is open and receptive to visits from a local authority development worker, so that good practice is shared and disseminated. She provides a fully

p.3

provision

inclusive provision where all children are welcomed. For example, the childminder has learnt words in a child’s first language to ensure that they settle into the provision.

p.4

provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has recently updated her safeguarding training. Policies, documentation, parental consents and all relevant contact numbers are available and she has a clear understanding of what to do if she is worried about a child. The up-to-date Ofsted contact information poster is prominently displayed, although the contact details for Ofsted in the complaints policy and the poster on file are out of date.

p.4

provision

Her childminding portfolio is very good and well organised with some excellent information that is shared with parents. She also provides parents with a comprehensive ‘parents pack’ which gives them a good insight into her provision and includes details on the EYFS, her last inspection report and policies. Parents are well informed as they receive a daily written sheet about their child’s day, a notice board is available, monthly newsletters go out and they are given good opportunities to view and discuss their child’s ‘Learning Journeys.’ Parental feedback is regularly obtained and their comments are highly positive, such as, ‘We are very pleased with our child’s development’ and the childminder ‘provides a wealth of activities and stimulation and a loving family environment that is inclusive to all.’ She also has very good links with other childcare provisions that children attend. This ensures that effective partnerships are in place so that

p.4

provision

parents, staff and the childminder all work together well to meet the individual needs of the children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Comprehensive risk assessments, daily health and safety check lists and well planned, well organised activities, such as taking part in ‘Beep Beep’ week and using the dental resource box, ensure that children are safe and that they gain a very good self-awareness of how to stay safe and be healthy. The childminder has her lunch with the children at dinner time so that they learn to develop good social skills and demonstrate very good manners, as they politely ask if they can leave the table. They enjoy a healthy diet, as they choose fruit from a fresh fruit bowl after lunch and varied menus are in place. This ensures that their nutritional needs are well met. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise and clearly enjoy running around the garden kicking balls or playing hoopla, which enhances their physical skills and development very well.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to use the EYFS in practice. She confidently links observations on children back to the 'Practice Guidance' so that their progress is monitored effectively throughout the six areas of learning towards the early learning goals. The overview planning sheets ensure that adult-led and child-initiated activities are covered extremely well. The reflection comments on what children have learnt and enjoyed is well documented This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and fed into future planning for the children’s next steps in their learning. Children’s individual 'Learning Journeys' are extremely well organised and shared with parents effectively. They show some lovely photographs of their children at play and their achievements are regularly documented along with samples of their work. Children follow effective routines and participate in some stimulating

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities and outings that aid their all round development, learning and enjoyment, such as attending childminder ‘drop ins’ where well planned activities take place or by visiting the community allotment where they dig and plant.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from playing in a dedicated playroom. This is very well set up and thought out. For example, it is currently a travel agents, as many of the children have been on holiday or are going on holiday, therefore the environment blends in very well with their current interests. Labelling of play areas, on posters and boxes of equipment, alongside pictures help children to understand that words carry meaning, thus aiding their language and literacy development extremely well.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Younger pre-school children competently hold pencils and felt pens and enjoy drawing lots of pictures. They successfully fit shapes into the shape sorter and stack boxes correctly inside one another, which helps them to learn about shape and size. Older pre-school children are very confident and highly self-assured in the setting. They use their developing language and knowledge to talk about what they do and ask the childminder lots of questions, such as where she would like to go on holiday. They then confidently use the lap top and mobile phone to talk and pretend to book travel. The childminder extends and challenges children’s learning effectively as she introduces new words and phrases and encourages them to think about which transport would go fast and which would go slow. Therefore, children thrive, learn and achieve very well. 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? 1 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? 1

p.6

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?

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: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7