Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319062 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

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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

Registered in 2000, the childminder lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and three of their children, aged 15, 12, and nine years old. Her home is close to all facilities, including local schools and nurseries and the whole ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play and the family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is on the Early Years Register, and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children at any one time and at present, there are four children in the early years age group on roll; older children attend also. The childminder walks children to and from local schools and nurseries and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Partnership working is very good, especially the partnership with parents, which is excellent. This, and the childminder's in depth knowledge of children's individual needs and interests, creates a highly inclusive environment where children make excellent progress in their learning and development. Very good regard is given to the children's welfare, and the childminder's vigilance means they are very well protected in all situations. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully addressed and self assessment is highly effective. Consequently, the scope for continuous improvement is outstanding.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to reflect on practice issues, for example, by continuing use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form.

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the early years provision

Excellent priority is given to safeguarding. The child protection policy includes details of who to contact in the event of any concerns arising, while the childminder's frequent participation in child protection training means she has very good awareness of the signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse. Risk assessments are excellent. They cover everything that the children come into contact with, and help to reduce accidents indoors and out. As well as this, the children practise road safety and take part in fire drills, routines that teach them simple, but effective ways to stay safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Documentation is impeccable. All essential records are in place, readily available, very well organised, stored securely to protect confidentiality and amended as soon as changes occur to keep information up to date and accurate. The registration and public liability certificates are prominently displayed to reassure

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the early years provision

parents, as is a poster that explains how to contact Ofsted. In addition, clear and highly informative written policies are given to parents to give them an insight into what happens in certain circumstances, such as children becoming ill.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is excellent. Very good quality written information is given to them in a pack, which they receive when children first attend. Thereafter, daily discussions and journals keep parents and the childminder fully informed of the children's progress and recent experiences. Parents have very positive views of the childminder and the service she provides. They describe her as 'committed, hard working, reliable and creative' and say they highly recommend her. Links with other agencies, such as teaching staff in local schools and nurseries, are also very good.

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the early years provision

The childminder confers with other professionals as well as with parents and children to seek ways to improve. She makes changes accordingly, exemplified in the introduction of a weekly 'movie slot', a response to the children's request to watch favourite films on a regular basis. She reflects on what she does and has just started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form. The childminder also takes part in extensive further training; recent courses include a workshop on outdoor play, assessment and planning, and disability, equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are very well promoted. For example, all the children are encouraged to try out the full range of available activities and play equipment and they are taught to respect other people and their way of life. The indoor and outdoor environments are very well resourced. All the children have easy access to a range of good quality, sustainable toys and resources. This encourages them to make choices and contributes to the excellent progress they make in relation to their starting points.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent use is made of observation and assessment. The childminder uses these to plan the next steps in children's development, and to arrange things that appeal to each of the children's interests. As a result, the children take part in challenging and exciting activities that cover all areas of learning and offer them huge scope in which to have fun and enjoy themselves. For example, they love to explore so the childminder has compiled several 'treasure' boxes. These include items like shells, sponges, cones and mirrors so the children can satisfy their natural curiosity.

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and outcomes for children

Very good use is made of ordinary objects, such as boxes. The children customise these by using paint, string and scissors then pretend they are boats, space ships, houses or buses. This introduces the children to the concept of re-cycling, allows them to experiment with design, offers them very good opportunities to express their creativity and lets them use their imagination. The children are fascinated by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 lights, so the childminder provides them with torches and creates shaded areas indoors and out, where they can pursue their interest in their own way and at their own pace.

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and outcomes for children

The children see positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender in a range of resources and they celebrate many worldwide festivals. This increases their understanding and knowledge of the wider world. Relationships are excellent. The children receive very good support from the childminder so they feel safe and secure, which increases their propensity to learn. They learn to behave acceptably and begin to understand right from wrong through the sensitive guidance they receive from her and the clear boundaries she puts in place.

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and outcomes for children

The children's welfare is very well promoted. Parents prepare packed lunches for them and the childminder provides appetising and nutritious snacks, such as fruit kebabs, sliced vegetables, toast and popcorn, to help the children form healthy tastes and preferences. The children enjoy outdoor play, which encourages them to be active and teaches them that exercise if fun. Additionally, regular hand washing, the sensible policy for sick children and the childminder's food safety qualification, help to contain the spread of illnesses.

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and outcomes for children

Good use of the environment supports children's learning. For example, a box in the hallway houses objects of particular interest to individual children; on the day of the inspection it contained a boomerang. Later, whoever placed the item explains what it is and why it interests them, which encourages the development of effective communication skills. The children practise writing, during role play, for example, when they make shopping lists, and they enjoy books and computers. These excellent experiences promote literacy and technological development, and enable children to develop skills necessary to their future success. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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: 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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