Childminder in Northumberland

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 506901 Inspection date 04/08/2009 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband in the residential area of Seaton Sluice in North Tyneside. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years. There are 10 children on roll aged from one year to six years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.30 to 18.15 for 46 weeks of the year. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects children from the local school and nursery.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children and parents are recognised and valued as individuals. She acknowledges the importance of providing an inclusive environment, though resources to promote diversity do not address all aspects sufficiently. She works well in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs and children make suitable progress. The childminder evaluates her practice sufficiently well and identifies most areas for development appropriately, so as to promote continuous improvement. The majority of the required documentation is in place and most is suitably maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that full details of medication administered are consistently entered in the medication record  continue to develop the range of resources provided to raise children's awareness of diversity, particularly in relation to gender and disability  continue to develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and further develop systems to ensure that individual children's developmental progress is monitored and evaluated consistently to support their learning effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 put in place a written procedure for the management of complaints and share with parents (Safeguarding and welfare) (Applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 18/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of most policies and procedures which are used well. For example, she understands the action to be taken regarding a lost or uncollected child. Her understanding of procedures relating to the management of an accident, the care of a sick child and the administration of medication is good. However, on a couple of occasions full details of medication administered have not been entered in the medication record. The childminder shows sufficient awareness of how to manage and record information about complaints should this be necessary. However, a written complaints procedure is not in place for parents' information. This is not in keeping with regulatory requirements. She has a satisfactory understanding of how to safeguard children and has completed relevant training. Security is well maintained. Procedures in respect of the collection of children are good. Appropriate safety equipment is

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provision

provided. Regular fire drills are completed. The childminder evaluates mentally the quality of service, care and education provided. This allows her to identify suitably well most areas for further development and to task these accordingly. The childminder makes adequate use of training to support her practice. Since her last inspection she has completed safeguarding children training and has renewed her first aid certificate.

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provision

Parents receive appropriate information about the service and most policies and procedures. The childminder works very well with parents to ensure that their child's introduction into her care is gradual and meets their needs. A series of short visits to her home allow all parties to become familiar with each other. Children settle very well and are happy and contented. Pertinent information is obtained from parents and recorded. Through this process the childminder is able to establish a good initial understanding of children's starting points and needs. Further information about individual children's ongoing needs and development is acquired through her ongoing observation and assessment of each child. The childminder retains this information mentally and uses it sufficiently well to support each child's learning. She identifies appropriately the next step in each child's learning and plans a suitable range of activities and learning experiences to help

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provision

children achieve the set goals. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress and day-to-day activities through regular verbal feedback from the childminder. Respective parents have access to their child's personal records. Parents are sufficiently encouraged to support children’s learning at home. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's current interests and the type of activities they favour. This allows parents to follow up activities at home with their child so as to support their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is sufficient and children make satisfactory progress. Space is well organised and provides children with access to a suitable range of activities and learning experiences. Throughout the day an appropriate balance of adult-led activities and free-play is provided. For instance, children benefit from adult-led activities, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as story telling, group games, additional creative activities and outings. Children visit places of interest, such as the beach, local parks and the library. The childminder interacts very well with children and they build warm, close relationships with her. She makes suitable use of conversation to help promote and extend children's speech and vocabulary skills. Open-ended questions are used well during play activities to introduce and reinforce concepts, such as shape, size,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

colour and number. Children's efforts and achievements are readily recognised and celebrated by the childminder. For example, a young child's ability to recognise and name farm animals correctly and an older child's attempts to chalks numbers on the paving stones in the garden. This positive interaction by the childminder helps nurture children's confidence and self-esteem. Suitable links are made with other providers delivering the EYFS to share relevant information and work together to support children's continuity of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Hygiene standards are very well maintained. The childminder has a good understanding of policies and procedures relating to promoting and preserving children's health and welfare. Her positive role modelling and the use of regular routines help teach children the importance of adopting good hygiene practices. Healthy eating is well promoted and children have access to fresh drinking water and sugar-free fruit juices. The childminder consults closely with parents regarding the dietary needs of their children. Relevant information is recorded and these needs are very well met. The childminder recognises the benefits children gain from daily access to fresh air and exercise. Children play in the garden and are able to test their capabilities and develop their physical skills through access to a suitable range of equipment and visits to parks and children's playgrounds. Indoor physical play activities are provided; for example, children dance enthusiastically to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

music. This helps promote their physical development and well-being. Children's behaviour is very well managed through the use of age-appropriate tactics. They are given simple explanations of boundaries and gentle reminders, as and when necessary. Children respond positively and are very well behaved. They show concern for others. For example, they readily take turns to ride wheeled-toys. The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of safety by explaining the need to stay close to her during outings and not to approach strangers. She practises fire drills and road safety with the children. Risk assessment procedures are satisfactory. The childminder has a suitable understanding of equal opportunity and diversity. However, resources to raise children’s awareness regarding gender and disability are insufficient. The childminder shows a satisfactory understanding of how to support children with specific needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 3 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? 3

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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? 3 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of report (CR7). 18/08/2009

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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 in the early years section of report (CR7). 18/08/2009

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