Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 310161 Inspection date 06/10/2009 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the residential area of Wallsend in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.00am to 6.00pm for 50 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years old to 11 years old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 offers a warm and friendly welcome to all children and their families. She adequately evaluates the care and education she offers to ensure continuous improvement is appropriately made. The variety of resources available ensures the majority of the areas of learning are suitably covered. Systems for planning activities, observing children and linking with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are being developed. The childminder has a small amount of experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She demonstrates a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. Most of the required documentation is in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for planning activities and observing children, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and using them to plan the next steps in children's learning  further develop resources and activities to nurture children's understanding of people's different needs  further develop systems to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with other practitioners where a child receives education and care in more than one setting  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risk for outings and trips This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training in the past and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of associated issues. Consequently, children are suitably protected. Their welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. Written risk assessments and regular checks of all areas and equipment are in place to promote children's safety. The childminder ensures that children are kept safe on outings as she implements effective procedures, such as holding hands, parental consent forms and appropriate restraints in push chairs. However, these have not been incorporated into her record of risk assessments.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a self-evaluation form to help her focus on the care and education she provides. This is complemented with verbal feedback from parents and the children to give a broader picture of her childminding service. She has positively addressed the recommendations raised at the previous inspection, which impacts favourably on children's welfare. The childminder has attended a range of training to further develop her childcare knowledge. Children access a range of play opportunities through the effective organisation of space, time and resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built appropriate relationships with parents. She speaks to them on a daily basis to ensure they are informed of the experiences their children have enjoyed. She complements this with text messages and written diaries. Consequently, parents can continue their children's learning at home through highlighted activities. The childminder has linked with other professionals in the past to ensure children's individual needs are met. She shows a suitable understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners, where children attend who receive education and care in more than one setting. However, she is only just beginning to develop partnership with other professionals for the children she currently cares for.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the EYFS. The range of resources available and trips to places of interest ensures children have the opportunity to make progress. Children are happy, settled and relate well to the childminder, as she joins in with their play. They benefit from a flexible routine, including a balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. The childminder uses a suitable approach to managing behaviour, which takes into account children's understanding and maturity. Her appropriate attitude to equal opportunities ensures children have a growing awareness of the wider community, particularly with regard to ethnicity. A range of resources to promote different cultures and traditions are available. However, there are few to raise children's awareness of disabilities, which hinders their understanding of difference. Children’s communication skills are fostered, resulting in good interactions between

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves and the childminder. A variety of creative activities, including painting, cutting and sticking, promotes children's self-expression whilst having fun. The childminder encourages their understanding of size and shape as she uses language, such as big and small. Children have opportunities to learn about living things when they visit the nature park and feed the ducks. The two children currently on roll with the childminder have only been attending for a very short period of time. The childminder makes observations of the children as they play however, these are not yet effectively used to inform the planning or identify children's learning priorities. Consequently, it is not easy to see if they are making progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises, where they have sufficient space to play. Large windows in the conservatory enable children to benefit from natural light whilst playing indoors. They do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. Children are beginning to understand simple health and hygiene practices, including washing their hands after using the toilet. They access regular opportunities for large physical play. These include using the range of resources in the garden and visiting a soft play centre. They are active or restful through choice and sleep in line with their individual needs and parent’s wishes. Generally healthy and nutritious snacks and meals are provided, which includes chicken, vegetables and fruit. The childminder plans these around children's specific dietary requirements. The childminder's home is secure with appropriate procedures being in place for the

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and outcomes for children

collection of children, ensuring they are suitably protected. Children are kept safe on outings, as they learn road safety procedures and understand simple rules, such as holding hands. They experience good levels of supervision and suitable safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. 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: 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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