Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318847 Inspection date 02/11/2009 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 established for 22 years. 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 Chapel Park, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, with her husband and 14 year old foster child. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes. There is a downstairs toilet and a bedroom on the first floor is used for overnight care. There is an enclosed rear garden and patio 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 three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to three children aged over five years. All attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The only pets are tropical fish and the childminder occasionally has her daughter's dog on the premises.

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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 provides a child-friendly, welcoming environment for children. Their learning needs are effectively met so that they make good progress and most welfare issues are attended to, although some documentation is not completed. She works successfully in partnership with parents and has good relationships with other childminders. She has very good relationships with children and is an experienced, dedicated childminder. She treats each child as an individual so that they feel fully included and valued. The childminder reviews and reflects on her practice very well, so that the capacity to improve further is good.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings  improve the outings risk assessment to include details of each type of outing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All adults in the household have undergone suitability checks as both the childminder and her husband are foster carers. Good written risk assessments are in place although the outings risk assessment does not include details of each type of outing that children go on. The childminder would update these if there are any changes to the premises and garden. She is well aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child or if there is a complaint against her and she provides a safe and secure home, therefore children are effectively safeguarded. A range of written policies underpins her practice well. Documentation is securely stored, well organised and shared with parents, although the parental permission forms for outings and emergency medical consent has not been completed by the parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has many years experience of working with children of all ages, she is competent and caring and she treats each child with equal concern. Equality and diversity is promoted well as children make independent choices about what they want to do. Toys are easily accessible and available to all children, so that non-stereotypical play is enhanced very well. She demonstrates a highly positive attitude to caring for children with special needs. The childminder has made good improvements to the recommendations from the last inspection, for example, the recording of fire drills is now in place and the Ofsted contact number is prominently displayed for parents. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form appropriately to help her establish what she does well and what she would like to develop, so that the capacity for continuous improvement is good.

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the early years provision

The childminder has close contact with relevant professionals based in the local authority, and a good network of other childminders who get together regularly to share good practice and attend groups with their minded children. Parents and children are very pleased with the childminder, which is reflected in the highly positive thank you cards. Comments include ‘we have been extremely happy with the level of care and they way in which our child has come on.’ The childminder provides care tailored to each individual child’s needs, which is based on parent’s wishes and the child’s routine. She realises the importance of building good relationships with parents so that children settle easily and enjoy their time with her. She exchanges verbal information on children’s achievements regularly and completes daily diary information on babies and younger toddlers. ‘My Special Moments’ charts are also displayed so that parents are very well informed of their

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS and uses this in practice well to observe children and monitor their progress. She completes ‘All about me’ information on children under each area of learning, which includes what children enjoy doing and plans for the next steps in their learning. She documents good observations and takes photographs of what children do, these are held in their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual books and are available to parents. Children are very settled in the childminder’s care and they have excellent relationships with her, therefore the children feel safe and secure in her care. For example, when they start coughing while eating they approach her easily and receive lots of cuddles and verbal reassurance, warm, natural interaction is also apparent.

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and outcomes for children

Children sit up at the table happily threading beads or drawing around stencils and they tell the childminder what they would like to do as they make independent choices. They are very self-assured and confident as they move around freely in the child-friendly, relaxed environment. Children are involved in a wealth of activities that enhance their all-round development throughout the areas of learning and they are supported very well by the childminder. For example, with her help they use a computer keyboard successfully and manage simple electronic programmes and they concentrate really well on fitting the correct shapes into the shape sorter, naming some colours and shapes as they play. Activities like these support children’s understanding of shape and space and assist them to develop skills for the future. They thoroughly enjoy their imaginary play as they feed the ‘babies’ and let the childminder bandage their leg as they pretend to be treated

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and outcomes for children

when using the ‘doctors’ kit. The childminder extends and supports children’s learning through play exceptionally well as she asks them questions and makes statements that make them think and respond, thus enhancing their language development effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s behaviour is very good. They are fully occupied and have formed very strong bonds with the childminder; she gives them lots of positive praise so that they have an excellent sense of belonging. She encourages children to socialise and states that all the children get on well and have made close friendships, which helps them to make a positive contribution. The children are gently reminded about why they should not run in the house, why they should wash their hands and why they have rules, such as holding hands when out and about, which helps children to gain a good understanding of staying safe. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as they are taken outdoors on a daily basis. They always walk to groups and school and they play outdoors happily in the child-friendly garden. Children are able to develop their physical skills effectively as there is an abundance of good quality outdoor equipment, such as slides, wheeled toys and

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and outcomes for children

swings. Children bring their own packed lunches and the childminder provides substantial snacks, such as toast, bananas and yoghurts, and they help themselves to drinks, which are readily available. Therefore, children are well hydrated and their nutritional needs are very well met. 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 1 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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