Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318980 Inspection date 09/12/2009 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

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.

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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 1999. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in a residential area in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. The home is situated on the first floor and is accessible by a flight of stairs. There is an enclosed rear garden area 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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to five children aged over eight years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for by a caring and competent childminder. She knows the children very well and treats them as unique individuals, and they have warm, trusting relationships with her. Therefore, children's welfare and development are sufficiently promoted and they make good progress. Capacity for continuous improvement is good as she has developed a very good understanding of the EYFS framework, which she uses in practice effectively. However, she does not yet use any form of self-assessment to review and reflect on her practice. She has longstanding relationships with parents and school staff, which ensures that they work together well to meet the individual needs of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record any problems encountered and how they were resolved  consider using self-evaluation to review and reflect on practice, so that ways to improve the quality of the care learning and development are identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder has been established for 10 years and completed the necessary clearance procedures with the local authority. She has a good range of written policies and procedures, which are reviewed, updated and shared with parents. She is well aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child’s welfare and has never had any complaints against her, although she knows the process to follow if there are any. The Ofsted contact information poster, child protection flowchart and certificate of registration are also prominently displayed so that children are effectively safeguarded. Documentation is securely stored and very well organised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She has good written risk assessments in place but since moving into her new home has not yet practised evacuation drills with the children.

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the early years provision

She is an experienced, competent childminder, who is caring and committed to the children that she cares for. Since the last inspection she has updated some of her training, and has increased her range of resources that help children gain an awareness and understanding of equality and diversity. She has a positive attitude to caring for children with special needs and/or disabilities, to ensure that they reach their full potential, and she helps children to gain an awareness of differences so that they learn to accept and respect one another. She uses space in her home effectively, so that children move around safely. There are designated, sturdy storage units in a play room, where toys are very well organised so they are easily accessible for the children. The childminder has developed a good understanding of the EYFS and is using this in practice very well, so that the capacity to improve her provision is good. She is aware of her own

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the early years provision

strengths and weaknesses in general, although she does not yet use any form of self-evaluation to reflect on and review her practice in relation to the 'Every Child Matters' outcomes.

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the early years provision

The childminder has cared for some children from the same families for 10 years and some of the older children have attended since babyhood. Therefore, parents are very pleased with the provision and the childminder has an abundance of positive reference letters from parents on file. She passes on verbal information on a daily basis and the younger children’s development files are available at all times for the parents to view. She feels that she has very good relationships with all of the parents as she is open and honest with them. She has suitable, longstanding relationships with school staff so that vital information is exchanged about the children. Children’s individual needs are well met after the school day as they are often tired, therefore they usually have their snack, rest and relax, or choose games and activities that they want to play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very familiar with the EYFS framework so that she tracks children’s progress successfully. She knows what they enjoy doing and what they are interested in, as she records ‘all about me’ information against the six areas of learning, carries out observations and writes captions about what children can do. She takes photographs, keeps samples of their art and craft work, and is well aware of how to plan for the next steps their development, as she identifies these through her observations. The childminder treats each child as a unique individual. For example, she quickly recognises their needs, such as when they are tired and need a nap. Young children have developed strong bonds with her; they approach her easily and snuggle into her when they go to sleep as they feel safe and secure in her care. She plans her day around the children as they attend various groups and centres every morning, such as soft play, childminder drop-in sessions,

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and outcomes for children

creative play at toddler groups and Sure Start centres; they also go for walks and to the park for fresh air and exercise. Therefore, children take part in stimulating activities and outings that support their all-round development and meet their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs very well.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very relaxed and comfortable in the childminder’s care as she is quiet, calm and gentle in her approach. She is a good role model and provides positive comments that help children develop high self-esteem and learn to be kind to one another. Children’s independence is fostered very well as they know where to find particular toys and equipment that interest them, such as the dolls' clothes. Photographs and observations of the children show that they learn successfully through their play and routines, therefore they make good progress in all areas of their development. For example, they learn to feed themselves, participate in craft activities, climb competently on soft play equipment and complete jigsaws successfully with help. Good information and communication technology equipment and simple electronic toys are readily available, which helps children to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a very clean, well-organised and safe environment. A combination of good practice, use of child safety equipment and relevant documentation protects children’s health and safety very well. For example, their health is protected well as they use paper towels for hand washing, nappies are changed hygienically, safety gates protect children from the stairs and the home is secure. The childminder agrees children's food provision with the parents and she provides nutritious snacks, such as fresh fruit. Children help themselves to their drinks when they are encouraged by the childminder so that they remain well hydrated throughout the day. Regular attendance at soft play centres, walking to and from schools and groups, and visits to parks ensure that children take part in energetic activities which promote a healthy lifestyle. 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 2 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 2

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Stage

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

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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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