Childminder in Newcastle upon TyneOfsted inspection, 7 Oct 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY305784 Inspection date 07/10/2009 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 April 2005. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the Scotswood area of Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and children aged 13 and 12 years and 23 months. The home is accessible by some stone steps and a handrail. The ground floor of the home and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden and yard area for outside play. There is shared access to her neighbour's garden, who is also a registered childminder.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently two children attending who are within the early years age range, both attending after school and nursery.

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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 in a child-friendly environment where all equipment is at child height so that they make independent choices. The childminder is getting to know individual children very well as they settle into her provision; therefore she ensures that she meets their needs and provides a welcoming, inclusive environment. She has grasped a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework which she uses in practice well, so that most of the children's welfare, learning and development needs are effectively met. Capacity for continuous improvement is good and she has developed successful partnerships with parents, which benefits the children's all round care.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the resources and activities so that children gain a further understanding of differences and disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder keeps Ofsted informed of any changes to household members so that they are vetted. Written risk assessments are very good and are reviewed on a monthly basis, and daily safety check lists and risk assessments for every particular outing ensure that children are well protected. As the childminder is now able to use her front garden this will be included in her risk assessment. All documentation is easily accessible and excellently organised and a range of good written polices, including safeguarding procedures, are in place and shared with parents. The childminder understands her responsibilities in dealing with any child protection concerns or in taking complaints This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 forward.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very pro-active in enhancing and developing her childminding provision. She has made very good attempts to become familiar with the EYFS documents after having a break from childminding. She receives advice and guidance from her network coordinator and childminding on-line forum so that she is up-to-date with current practices. She has made very good improvements to the one recommendation from the last inspection, which has improved the information given to parents regarding complaints. She has completed self-evaluation, where she has clearly thought about her strengths and areas she would like to improve, so that the outcomes for children are enhanced.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring that all children have equal access to toys and equipment by providing a child-led environment. She promotes an environment where all are welcomed, treated fairly and with respect but she is aware of her limited resources and activities to promote children’s awareness of differences and disabilities. The childminder's documentation, daily diaries and learning journey are effectively shared with parents. As well as initial and ongoing two-way discussions, parents complete information on their child in the ‘Early Years Passport’ so that the childminder gains a good understanding of the child’s likes, dislikes and starting points. A very good information pack is also given to parents upon commencement of taking up a placement, which ensures that they are well informed. She has an awareness of what children do at the nursery that they attend and she passes on and receives vital information as necessary. She

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the early years provision

strives to develop effective partnerships, as she has clear plans in place to develop continuity and coherence for children.

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and outcomes for children

Although children are very new to the setting the childminder has a good understanding of meeting their individual needs. She allows them time to settle into her provision by initially promoting a child-led environment as they get to know her. She has written planning which covers topics, themes and all areas of learning and will introduce more adult-led activities as children begin to feel secure and comfortable with her. She clearly thinks about how activities will help children to learn. For example, when they plan to find out about insects she will provide reference books so that children can look them up, and counting games such as ‘Beetle’ so that children’s literacy and numeracy skills are enhanced well through fun ways. ‘All about Me’ sheets are completed as the childminder undertakes sensitive observations and relates this back to the areas of learning. The excellent learning journey documents give the childminder and parents a good insight into

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a child-friendly environment where all toys are at child height so that they choose and self-select easily from a good range of educational and fun equipment. Brightly coloured alphabet letters, pictures and the self- registration system are displayed, and easily accessible ICT equipment ensures that children’s communication, language and literacy development are enhanced This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 successfully. The childminder is well organised and fully involved with the children as she sits on the floor with them, supporting them well in their play and learning. Therefore, children benefit from the childminder's input as she asks them questions that make them think. For example, when children hide the jigsaw pieces she asks them to ‘find the rabbit’ and they laugh and giggle with her as they play. Children play contentedly with favourite things such as the wooden train

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and outcomes for children

track. They talk about what they do and use mathematical language correctly during their play such as ‘it’s full' and 'it’s a big train’, and demonstrate how they have made a circle out of the train track. They concentrate well to complete tasks, such as finding the correct shapes to fit into the jigsaws.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow clear routines that help them understand about healthy practices such as washing their hands before meals and after blowing their nose. A varied diet is offered, some of which is healthy, and children are encouraged to sit at the table where they benefit from the social occasion with the childminder. However, they are not always reminded to use good manners, such as 'please' and 'thank you'. Children’s behaviour is generally good and the childminder concentrates on children’s understanding in this area, such as learning to take turns and to share with one another. Children receive plenty of positive praise, which raises their self- esteem. ICT and programmable equipment is readily accessible and children know how to operate simple equipment, which enhances their skills for the future. The childminder's home is secure. She regularly checks her equipment and toys and uses relevant child safety equipment appropriately. She teaches children about

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and outcomes for children

road, water and rail track dangers through planned activities so that they gain a good understanding of staying safe. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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 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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