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 318971 Inspection date 14/05/2009 Inspector Andrea, Jane Lockyer

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children in a house in the Kingston Park area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes. Children do not access the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for two children, both of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification to National Vocational level three. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a very caring, safe and inclusive environment where their individual needs are well met. The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and uses effective systems to plan, observe and assess children's progress. This ensures children are provided with a broad range of activities to help them make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. Strong links have been developed with parents and carers, which ensure that they are kept well informed about their child's progress. Good systems are used effectively to continually monitor and evaluate her practice to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's understanding of emergency evacuation to ensure they are aware of what to do in such an event

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provision

Detailed and well organised policies and procedures personal to the setting clearly outline the service offered to children and their families and underpin the good quality care provided. Partnerships with parents are effective. They share their knowledge of the children to ensure that all children's needs are met as fully as possible. Individual records are kept on all children, which ensures the childminder has all the relevant information to continue to meet the needs of the children she is caring for. Parents are provided with a very good information package, which keeps them informed about all aspects of the childminder's practice and the care, welfare and progress of their children. Parents are involved in evaluating the setting as the childminder regularly approaches them for feedback on the care of their children and through the use of questionnaires. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder places high priority on children's safety. She effectively implements a range of procedures and practises to ensure children remain safe at all times. She effectively achieves a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This enables children to explore their environment independently and safely. The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children as fundamental and is confident and knowledgeable in the procedures she is required to take should she be concerned about a child in her care. Children thrive in the supportive environment, which is equipped with a wide range of high quality toys, furniture and equipment.

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provision

The childminder is committed to continual improvement. She attends regular training to improve and up date her knowledge and skills and has attained a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been met by providing children with a broad range of resources which encourage them to value and respect the diverse society in which they live. Effective systems are in place to continually monitor and evaluate the provision to improve the outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely well motivated, happy and confident in the childminder's care. They are confident to try different experiences and make their own choices about activities from the wide range of resources that are available to them. The focus of activities is always on the child as an individual which enables them to achieve as much as possible. The childminder has a very good understanding of the EYFS framework which she implements effectively. She uses her observation and assessment skills well to evaluate children's stages of development and records these in their individual development files to inform for future planning. Children's progress and development is clearly linked to the six areas of learning within the EYFS framework. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children display extremely warm, close relationships with the childminder which results in them fully enjoying their time spent with her and in becoming confident learners. Children are happy and are settled really well into the environment. The childminder fully engages in their play, works closely with them during their activities and gives support where needed. For example, as they play with three dimensional number puzzles together, the childminder encourages counting, matching and number recognition. She explains how to make a different number shape by taking away certain pieces and retains children's interest as she talks about their ages and ages of siblings encouraging them to identify the correct number for their ages. Mathematical concepts are skilfully brought into everyday experiences and activities such as, counting and calculating how many knives and forks are needed at meal times for the children and counting bus tops. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

measure and weigh baking ingredients and measure the height of sunflowers they have grown. Children are confident communicators. They actively engage the childminder in conversation and talk about recent visits they have made with their family, recalling what they saw and did. The childminder provides a wide range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities for children to develop communication, language and literacy skills, for example, as she encourages children to describe what they are feeling as they explore different textured blocks, sound out letters of their name, and look at written signs when they are out. Children thoroughly enjoy the wide variety of creative activities on offer, where they are able to express their ideas and use their imaginations. They engage in role play and dressing up, make collages with a variety of different textured materials, paint and make models. The particularly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoyed making watering cans from milk cartons.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children's positive attitudes to the wider community. She sensitively promotes children's understanding of diversity and respect for others through discussions about differences, using a wide selection of books, resources and activities, and by celebrating a range of cultural festivals. The childminder promotes and inclusive practice where all children are valued as individuals and all are treated equally. Promoting children's confidence, self assurance and giving them a sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning continues in the outdoor environment. They enjoy a wide range of well planned outings which take account of their interests, such as, exploring the natural environment as they visit the coast, parks and woodland collecting and examining natural materials as they go, and looking at the changes in the seasons. They visit the post office and local shops, the dentist and eat out in restaurants. Regular trips to toddler groups and with other childminders provide good opportunities for children to develop their social skills and build good relationships with others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are developing good levels of understanding of safety and a healthy lifestyle, as they learn to cross roads safely, talk about stranger danger and role play as fire fighters. They thoroughly enjoyed exploring a fire engine. However, failure to practise emergency evacuation limits children's awareness of what to do in such an event. They follow consistent daily routines for hand washing, help clean the table after meals and sweep up. Children make choices from the good range of healthy meals available and help to choose their own fruit and vegetables from the local shops. All children thoroughly enjoy exercise in the outdoors. They have daily opportunities to play games in the garden with a wide range of outdoor equipment and have planted their own flowers. 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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