Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY379780 Inspection date 21/09/2009 Inspector Shirley Peart

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 August 2008. She lives in a residential area in Felling, Gateshead with her child aged four years. The home is accessible from a few stone steps and is close to all local facilities, such as the park and schools. All rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. There is usually a pet dog on the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well, respects their individuality and is aware of what they enjoy doing, therefore she meets their needs generally well. She has a basic understanding of the principles in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to ensure that children’s welfare, learning and development opportunities are appropriately promoted. She works well with the parents and they share information regularly and most documentation required is in place. The capacity for continuous improvement is suitable, although the childminder does not yet effectively reflect on her practice to identify her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 26/10/2009

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further?

 improve documentation by devising a complaints procedure and ensure that parents are aware of how to make a complaint to Ofsted should they wish and request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Documentation) 26/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 consider using the Ofsted self-evaluation form as a process of reflective practice to identify ways in which the quality of the service can be improved  improve the programme for knowledge and understanding of the world so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that children have more opportunities to explore and investigate the natural world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed all required childminding training, such as first aid and has also attended safeguarding training. She is aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child and a good written policy is in place and shared with parents. As she is a member of the NCMA she has all relevant documentation for administration of medication, accident recording and contracts completed appropriately. All documentation is well organised. Most is in place and easily accessible, which underpins her practice so that children are sufficiently safeguarded. She has comprehensive written risk assessments for the home, garden and access to the dog, although she has not devised one for each outing undertaken, which is a requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has addressed the actions from the last inspection very well, which has improved the safety and welfare of the children. There are a few omissions regarding documentation in relation to a complaints procedure, ensuring that parents are aware of this and parental consent for emergency medical advice. The childminder has a positive attitude to further improving her service and has attended training on completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form. However, she did not find this useful in helping her to consider ways of evaluating her strengths and areas for improvement, therefore self-reflective practice is limited.

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the early years provision

All toys are of very good quality, age appropriate and easily accessible and the environment is child-friendly. There is plenty of space for children to play so that they make independent choices about what they want to do. The childminder is also aware of how to use everyday materials in play such as, musical shakers made from plastic bottles and she walks everywhere with the children, thus ensuring that she participates in sustaining the environment. Children are treated with equal concern. She is well aware of the differences between the children that she cares for, she has some resources that reflect diversity and will talk about any equality issues where necessary to help children learn about different cultures and backgrounds in a positive way.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that parents sign copies of her risk assessments and provides settling in visits so that they are aware of what she provides. She shares verbal information with parents on a regular basis and provides them with a useful written activity sheet about their child’s day, which ensures that parents are fully informed.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder keeps children safe. She stays with them when they have their naps, appropriate safety equipment such as a fire guard and safety gates are in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place and she ensures that they hold onto her hand when they are out and about if they are not using the double buggy. She adheres to parents wishes and children’s likes when she provides food, often having to gently encourage children to eat. Children have plenty of fresh air and exercise and there is lots of relevant equipment for the children to use in the garden, such as different size slides, swings, trampoline and a rocker, which helps to develop their physical skills. She has also started to walk with the children more often as their physical skills develop, for example taking the short walk to the nearby park so that they are helped to value and adopt healthy lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a variety of toys, equipment and activities that cover most areas of learning, such as simple ICT, sturdy wooden shape sorters, books, physical equipment and art and craft. There is limited provision for knowledge and understanding of the world in relation to exploration and investigation activities in the natural world. She has started to use basic written observations of the children and takes photographs of what they do and these are placed into individual development files for the parents to view at any time. She is aware of her limited knowledge of the EYFS areas of learning and assessment, but is pro-active in accessing relevant courses for this to help her develop her systems for recording and assessing children’s progress. She takes the children out and about every day to relevant toddler groups and ‘Stay and Play’ sessions at the nearby Sure Start Children’s Centre and they go for specific trips on the metro train to the beach,

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and outcomes for children

which ensures that children's social skills and enjoyment is enhanced well.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a good sense of belonging. They spontaneously tidy away toys when they want to get something else out and they have formed close relationships with the childminder. For example, they are happy and settled in her care as they sit on her knee comfortably and snuggle in when it’s time for a nap. Their behaviour is good and she offers lots of meaningful praise which raises their self-esteem well. She is fully involved and joins in with their play as she sits on the floor with them and encourages their imaginations and language development appropriately. For example, when she talks to the children about going on the train they point to the window and say ‘Tu Tu’ and they give her pretend drinks from the play cups. In general children clearly enjoy being with the childminder and make suitable progress. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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 a copy of the written statement of complaints procedures (CR9.1) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 26/10/2009

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (CR9.1) 26/10/2009

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