Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331289 Inspection date 12/10/2009 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 2006. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne in a residential area very close to the school. She lives with her husband and granddaughter aged 12 and her daughter occasionally helps as her assistant. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding, which includes a downstairs bathroom. There is an enclosed rear yard for outside play, as well as a communal area which can be secured.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children aged under eight years. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged between five and under eight years and three children aged eight years and over.

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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

The childminder is caring and competent in her role. She recognises and values each child’s uniqueness and cultural background. She has a very good understanding of each child’s individual needs, therefore they grow and develop into confident, self-assured children and make good progress in their learning and development. She has highly successful relationships with parents and they work together extremely well. She has made suitable progress since the last inspection, although her self-evaluation does not clearly show the priorities for improvement with regard to the outcomes for children. Children's welfare is promoted very well so that they are safe and secure.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to use self-evaluation as a form of reflective practice in relation to what is done well and what could be improved with regards to the Every Child Matters outcomes.

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the early years provision

All adults in the household are vetted and all required documentation and information for accidents, medication administration, child protection and complaints is readily available. The childminder knows what to do in the event of any of these circumstances arising, so that children are effectively safeguarded. Written risk assessments are in place and these are updated as required, such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when there is a change in transport arrangements for the children. She personalises her written policies and procedures which are shared with parents effectively as they sign to say they have read and understood them. She has completed updated training, such as safeguarding, food safety, first aid and courses that help her improve practice with children such as, ‘Using Musical Instruments’ so that children are cared for by a competent, well informed

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a suitable attempt to complete the Ofsted self- evaluation form, although she has not clearly identified any priorities for improvement in relation to the Every Child Matters outcomes. Sound improvements have been made to the recommendations from the last inspection which has increased children’s opportunities to be more creative, as they attend regular groups where they join in with a range of art and craft activities. The childminder provides a homely atmosphere where children are treated as part of the family. The household is well organised as the childminder's husband takes on household tasks, such as cooking and shopping, thus promoting non-stereotypical roles for the children and ensuring that the childminder has plenty of free time to dedicate to the children. She sets out play equipment well for the children so that this is easily accessible and she has clear aims to increase her range of equipment with

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the early years provision

regards to what the children are interested in.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of promoting good partnership working but at present none of the children attend other early years settings. She ensures that highly effective home links are in place as she works successfully with parents, recognising that they are the main carers for their children. She perseveres well to enable children with English as a second language to feel confident and settle into her provision, keeping parents well informed along the way and respecting their individual culture and background as she provides a fully inclusive environment. Excellent letters from parents indicate that they are extremely pleased with the provision, comments include ‘my child could not speak English but positive changes happened because the childminder created the right environment which greatly improved their language and communication skills’ and she is ‘the best childminder I could dream of and has played an active role in my child’s education.’

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) and uses this in practice very well. She observes the children and takes lovely photographs to display in their individual files which are shared with parents. She links her observations successfully to the six areas of learning within the EYFS to clearly show the progress children make in their development and learning. She provides a good routine and takes the children out on a daily basis to regular venues, such as the library, the Sure Start centre, ‘Fun Factory’ and the childminder drop in. This helps children to develop good social skills and supports their creativity and physical development very well. Children also take part in organised events, such as a scavenger hunt, fun runs and nature walks, which helps children develop skills for the future and enhances their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

knowledge and understanding of the world successfully.

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and outcomes for children

Children make decisions about what they want to do and energetic outdoor play is incorporated into their daily routines so that a healthy lifestyle is effectively promoted. The childminder adheres to any special diets and parental wishes regarding food provision, ensuring that cultural and religious requests are adhered to. Meal times are a lovely social occasion and when children proudly demonstrate that they are eating all of their dinner, the childminder reminds them of how that will make them big and strong. They also help themselves to drinks, which are readily available in their own cups so that their nutritional needs are well met. Her home is safe and secure and she locks the gates to the outside communal area, supervising the children when they play there. Children understand boundaries and feel safe as they clearly know where the childminder's home is; for example they keep her within sight and shout excitedly for her to watch them as they play in the

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and outcomes for children

area and return to the yard running in and out happily.

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and outcomes for children

Children absolutely love to be outside in the fresh air. They have an abundance of fun and squeal excitedly as they successfully manoeuvre wheeled toys around the block in the communal area. They play together cooperatively, their behaviour is excellent and they imitate each other as they play happily. The childminder allows them to take reasonable risks, such as wheeling themselves down small declines so that they learn how to manage their own safety successfully. They point things out in the environment that they see, such as a cat or spider and demonstrate curiosity as they wonder where they go, communicating their ideas through animated gestures and words. The childminder actively helps children to become confident, raises their self-esteem and is fully involved in their play and learning. For example, she listens to them and praises what they do in a meaningful way, such as when they refrain from throwing the toy blocks and tidy them away

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and outcomes for children

carefully as she gives clear and consistent messages to them. She supports them to complete jigsaws as she helps them to sound out letters and encourages them to look at how shapes fit, which promotes children’s language and literacy and mathematical development and understanding very well. 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 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 1 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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