Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337429 Inspection date 16/11/2009 Inspector Sharon, Amelia Robson

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and twin daughters aged 14 years and her six year old son. They live in a residential area of Killingworth, North Tyneside. The property is within walking distance to local amenities, including schools, nurseries, parks and transport links. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom and large rear bedroom, and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has pet rabbits and a guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time; she currently has 10 children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is extremely committed to providing an environment which is welcoming and inclusive, where all children are valued and respected, and where every child's individual needs are fully met. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is extensive, which allows her to provide children with excellent support to enable them to make very good progress in their learning and development. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice, including reviewing her comprehensive policies and procedures, which shows her great capacity to improve the service she provides for children and parents. Excellent relationships have been developed with parents and other providers and services used by minded children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop knowledge relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children in her care. She has completed relevant training and therefore is very confident that her knowledge is up to date and comprehensive. She has extensive written policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and she ensures these policies are discussed with parents at the onset of a placement, as well as giving them a copy of these in their information pack. The childminder also has extremely effective written policies and procedures in place regarding the safe collection of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, lost children and safety in general. Children's safety is given very high priority, as she ensures detailed and effective risk assessments are in place for all areas used by children, both indoors and outdoors. Outings, including walks to and from nursery and school, are included in the risk assessment and are rated high to

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the early years provision

low, which ensures hazards for children are minimised. In case of emergency children are aware of the evacuation procedure, which is practised with them regularly.

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the early years provision

Areas used in the childminder's home, including a purpose built playroom, are extremely well organised, with an extensive range of toys and resources available covering all areas of learning. Low-level and child-friendly storage units help to promote children's independence and enable them to make their own choices in an extremely safe environment. All children are valued and their differing backgrounds and abilities are highly respected. Through the extensive range of resources, activities and discussions, including the childminder's extremely positive role modelling, children are encouraged to learn about the wider world and to respect difference. Comprehensive procedures are in place regarding support for children who speak English as an additional language or those with a special educational need and/or disability, and an extremely wide range of resources are available to promote this.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built up extremely positive relationships with parents; she values their contributions, as well as keeping them well informed about all aspects of their child's development and achievements. Detailed information from parents at the onset of a placement, as well as regular questionnaires, are used very effectively in planning, which ensures learning opportunities are provided that meet all children's individual needs. During introductory visits, the childminder uses both discussion with parents and written observations to help her assess a child's 'starting points'. Parents have made extremely positive written comments about the service the childminder provides for themselves and their children, including how she helps with children's social skills and building their confidence. She shares information with parents on a daily basis, both verbally and in children's diaries, as well as being available to talk to parents on the phone at any time. Children's

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the early years provision

development files are shared with parents, including children's work, photographs and observations, which are linked to the EYFS. The childminder also completes EYFS tracker books for each child and asks parents to contribute to these, which shows clearly how children are developing and what their 'next steps' are. At the onset of a placement the childminder provides parents with a an extremely detailed information pack, as well as displaying relevant information around her home. Excellent links have been made with other providers and services used by minded children. She links planning to themes and topics being followed in school and nursery, as well as sharing information relating to observations she has completed. She has also developed positive relationships with local health visitors and Sure Start staff.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully addressed the recommendations raised at her last inspection. She is extremely proactive in ensuring her knowledge regarding children's learning and development, and childcare is detailed and comprehensive. She has attended a vast amount of training courses and workshops, including EYFS, deaf awareness, food safety and personal dental health. She has completed two level 3 childcare This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 qualifications. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the EYFS and has completed her self-assessment comprehensively and effectively; she has used this document to help her to develop her strengths and identify any weaknesses, as well as using it to look at further training needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has extremely impressive systems in place to ensure all children make excellent progress across all areas of learning. She has extremely detailed and comprehensive observation and assessment records in place, which are clearly linked to the EYFS and used to record and monitor children's development and to identify their next steps of learning. She plans and adapts activities according to children's individual needs, and to ensure each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Detailed written weekly and monthly plans are in place, which are flexible in order to allow the childminder the opportunity to respond to children's interests and to ensure each child is happy and engaged in their learning and play. Children's independence is very well promoted as they are encouraged to make their own choices from the extensive range of toys and resources available, as well as there being an extremely good balance between adult-led and child

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and outcomes for children

initiated activities. The childminder interacts extremely well with the children, and she ensures that every opportunity is taken to help children to develop their skills and learning. For example, as a child played with various animals the childminder talked about the sounds they make and the child had great fun making the different sounds. The childminder then went on to sing some songs about animals and the child thoroughly enjoyed joining in with the actions, this then led on to talking about the rabbits and guinea pig in the garden and looking at photographs of them.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in their social skills and building confidence as they have regular opportunities to attend local toddler and childminder drop-in groups. They participate in outdoor activities on a daily basis, including visits to the park and lake, as well as an extremely wide range of physical activities, such as dancing and using the extremely well-resourced outdoor garden. The childminder encourages children of all ages to use information and communication technology, including electronic games and toys, as well using a computer, where children are able to access age-appropriate games and sites, and have opportunities to develop their skills with the mouse and keyboard. Children regularly visit the public library, where they are able to choose their own books, as well as a library at the childminder's home, where each child has their own ticket and they are able to take home any of the vast range of books available. The childminder organises

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and outcomes for children

cookery sessions with the children on a regular basis, where they have opportunities to follow age-appropriate recipes, making biscuits, pizzas and vegetable kebabs. She uses these sessions to encourage children to measure and weigh, as well as introducing new utensils and vocabulary. Children learn about the wider world from the excellent resources provided, including dressing up clothes, games, books, posters and small world characters. Children have the opportunity to celebrate a wide range of cultural and religious festivals and events and these are included in the detailed planning. The childminder also has detailed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information and resources on different cultures, religions and countries, and children have lots of opportunities to taste various foods and learn basic words in different languages.

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and outcomes for children

Good health and well-being are promoted extremely well, as the childminder uses her detailed information on children's dietary and health needs appropriately. Detailed and comprehensive written policies and procedures are used effectively, including those regarding accidents, medication and the care of a sick child. Hygiene procedures are promoted extremely well, as the childminder takes time to talk to children about the reason for washing hands, for example, after they have handled the family pets. Posters are displayed relating to hygiene and to remind children about hygiene. Children have great opportunities to learn about healthy eating, as they are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, as well as having the opportunity to grow herbs and vegetables in the childminder's garden. Children have very good knowledge of safety while in the childminder's home and whilst out and about with her. They regularly have themed safety

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and outcomes for children

weeks, and have recently been looking at road safety and 'stranger danger'. The childminder uses a local toy library to access resources relating to the themes, as well as having a vast range of her own resources including books, activity sheets and games. She also ensures that while walking to and from nursery and school and visiting parks she talks to children about how to stay safe, as well as allowing children the opportunity to develop their own sense of safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder, and they are extremely happy and settled in her care. She is patient, kind and very responsive to children's individual needs, ensuring they feel comfortable and secure in her home. Children are very well-behaved; they have very good manners and respond positively to the childminder's routines, house rules and boundaries. She knows the minded children very well and ensures methods used for behaviour management are appropriate to each child's age and understanding. Children are happy to help with tidying up and they sing their 'tidy up' song as they do this. Through the extremely positive role modelling provided by the childminder, younger children are learning to share and take turns, and they respond very positively to the praise and encouragement they receive throughout the day. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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