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 318819 Inspection date 24/04/2009 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 1995. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the South Gosforth area of Newcastle upon Tyne with her teenage son. The ground floor of the home and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear yard for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of six children. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to four children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

She holds a Diploma in Pre-School Practice. There is a pet cat on the premises.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder treats children equally, recognising that they are all unique individuals and she clearly knows their capabilities. Children's learning and development needs are very well met in line with the EYFS framework and most of the welfare requirements are met. She works effectively with the parents and is a committed, experienced childminder who spends valuable time with the children which enables them to progress very well.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the systems used to monitor children's progress, so that this can be matched against the six areas of learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment, review it regularly and maintain a record of the particular aspects of the environment that need to be checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 29/05/2009  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 29/05/2009

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provision

The childminder has many years experience and also works outside of the home in a pre-school group. She has made good improvements to the one recommendation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from the last inspection. She has updated her knowledge and training well as she attends relevant short courses, such as safeguarding and EYFS workshops. Therefore, children are cared for by a competent, dedicated childminder. The childminder has not completed any form of self-evaluation so does not link what she does to the Every Child Matters outcomes, although she does think about what children gain from their activities and aims to maintain what she currently provides. She also uses an ‘itinerary’ book where she records what went well and not so well so that she makes changes to activities accordingly.

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provision

The childminder has a range of suitable written policies and procedures which are shown to parents at initial visits. She safeguards children well by ensuring that her home is safe and that children understand the boundaries and she has a general statement to show how outside activities are assessed. However, she has not yet carried out full written risk assessments for indoors, outdoors and outings, which is a requirement of the EYFS. She is aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child’s welfare or if a parent has concerns or a complaint.

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provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents and has a general awareness of what children do in school, as she passes on and receives vital information as necessary. She completes a daily diary for each young child in her care, records their development and progress and has lovely individual photograph albums for most children in the EYFS age range. These are all available for parents to see at any time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have easy access to a good range of toys and equipment, which are safe, clean, age-appropriate and diverse. The childminder supports non-stereotypical play as girls happily play with cars and the garage and boys feed the ‘babies’ in the pushchair. They follow good safety practices both inside and outside of the home. For example, they are strapped into a double buggy for outings, or use child safety seats when they are up at the table eating, they practice fire drills and the childminder records accidents and medication administration accordingly. Children know the limits as they are beginning to gain a good awareness of staying safe, and they clearly explain how they hold on to an adult's hand and stay on the pavement when they are outside. However, the lack of written risk assessments means that areas within the home, yard and on outings are not reviewed regularly. Children go on regular outings on the metro train and for walks; they use various

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

equipment outside or at the park. This promotes their need for fresh air on a daily basis and ensures that their physical skills are enhanced very well. Children's personal care needs are well attended to by the childminder, as she recognises when they need a nap or their nappy changed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children follow a flexible routine that meets their individual needs and the childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS. She provides a varied provision that includes interesting activities both inside and outside of the home. For example, they regularly attend toddler groups, visit museums, art galleries and the theatre for children’s productions. As well as child-initiated play in the home, children also participate in fun, adult-led activities such as art, craft and baking. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She records observations and takes photographs of what children do and decides on possible lines of development for the next steps in their learning, although she does not yet link this fully to each area of learning. The childminder treats each child as an individual and knows their capabilities. She is well aware of what the children are interested in and provides lots of fun, improvised play, for example,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they made nurses hats and watches and a bed out of a large cardboard box. This extends children's imagination very well through good creative opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder helps children to learn through play as she asks them lots of questions that make them think and respond, so that they correctly name colours or make animal sounds. They recall significant events as they talk about what happened in a story that they had listened to earlier in the day, as they are successfully encouraged by the childminder to use their language for thinking. Children are highly animated and content as they play. They understand how electronic and pop up toys work as they correctly press buttons and letters to make sounds. They chat away as they play and the childminder is fully supportive, involved and interested in what they do. Therefore, children achieve well and thoroughly enjoy their time with her. 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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide parents with copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures (CR9.1) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 29/05/2009

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (CR9.1) 29/05/2009

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