Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318929 Inspection date 20/11/2009 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 registered since 1997. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in North Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and children aged 12, 10 and six years. The ground floor of the home and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to four children aged between five and eight and two children aged over eight, most children attend on a part- time basis.

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Description of the childminding

She holds a B.Tec National Diploma in nursery nursing.

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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 treats children as unique individuals therefore she meets their needs successfully. She engages effectively with parents and other professionals so that very good partnership working is in place, which benefits children’s individual care very well. Children make good progress as she uses the EYFS framework in practice very well. The childminder reviews and reflects on her provision by using self-evaluation, so that she promotes good outcomes for children. Most welfare requirements are adhered to so that children remain safe and healthy whilst in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand the outings risk assessment to include each type of outing  ensure that children cannot access the stairs unacompained.

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the early years provision

All adults in the household are vetted and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) records are held on her file for parents to see. The childminder is well aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child’s welfare and all emergency numbers are readily available. She has never had any complaints from parents but is aware of what to do in this instance. Most written risk assessments are good, although the outings risk assessment is basic and does not include an evaluation of risks for every outing undertaken. Written consent from parents is in place, she has an up-to-date This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 first aid certificate and she is booked onto courses for equality and diversity and safeguarding in the near future to ensure that her knowledge is up-to date. She is a dedicated, competent and experienced childminder therefore children are very well cared for. For example, she is committed to self-development as she is part of

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the early years provision

the locally approved childminding network. She is open and receptive to visits and suggestions from a local authority advisor and is workings towards a quality standards framework. The childminder has made good improvements to the one recommendation from the last inspection which has developed the procedures for emergency evacuation drills with the children. The Ofsted self-evaluation form is completed and clearly demonstrates what she does well and shows some examples of where she would like to improve, which demonstrates that she does reflect on her practice effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a fully inclusive environment. She talks to parents and carers about children’s individual dietary, cultural and specific needs to ensure that they work together well. This enables her to provide the best possible care provision and learning environment for the children. She tends to take children out every morning as she knows that they enjoy the physical and social play at toddler groups. Resources and equipment are age appropriate although some are well used. In practice the childminder ensures that toddlers cannot access toys that are not suitable for their age and stage of development but the number of toys out at any one time sometimes restricts their interest and concentration.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a number of children on roll and some have attended since babyhood. Therefore parents are very pleased with the provision, positive letters include comments, such as ‘based on many years experience I have no problem in recommending the childminder,’ and ‘she has provided a consistent and high quality level of care.’ Verbal and written exchanges are in place and she shares her EYFS files with the parents, which shows them the progress that their children make while they are with her. She also offers advice and support to parents and carers on childcare issues with the aim of helping all adults caring for children to provide consistent care and to seek external support where necessary. She is very pro-active in working with other professionals to ensure that any care, support or specialist services are accessed to benefit the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has grasped a very good understanding of the EYFS. She tends to plan her day and activities around children’s needs, for example they usually go out every morning to toddler groups, the park or for walks. She knows what each child is interested in and recognises that they are all different and unique. She uses the EYFS in practice effectively to monitor children’s progress. For example, she records ‘All about me’ information in relation to the six areas of learning and documents her observations on children using a ‘my special moments’ chart and plans successfully for their next steps. She is well aware of the individual learning needs of the children and discusses confidently what each child is interested in, what they are good at and what stage of development they are at, therefore they make very good progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has lovely relationships with the children and strong bonds are established. She is competent in her role and children approach her easily for reassurance and cuddles. She recognises when children may be tired and need some quiet time; they snuggle up on the settee with their comforters. She concentrates on toddler’s personal, social and emotional development and manages children’s behaviour in a positive way using distraction, positive encouragement and comments, to help them understand right from wrong, which helps them to make a positive contribution. Pre-school children concentrate well on the things that interest them, such as small world toys. They enjoy putting small figures inside the houses, chatter about what they do, and seek the childminders assistance where necessary as she is close by to provide help and support. Toddlers love to interact socially as they copy gestures and make sounds to re-

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and outcomes for children

create their scary Halloween face or imitate what they do when they are asleep. They follow the childminders prompts as she encourages them to point to parts of their face and they enjoy playing peek-a-boo and joining in with action songs and rhymes, so that they learn through fun ways. Pre-school children are clearly achieving as they spontaneously shout out shapes, such as ‘triangle’ when they recognise this in a construction piece. The childminder extends their learning as she then encourages them to name other shapes that they see.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe in the childminders care as they move around the home freely, although there are currently no suitable arrangements in place to ensure children do not climb up the stairs unaccompanied. She adheres to any special diets as required and prepares substantial, varied food for the children that they clearly enjoy. They help themselves to their drinks, which are readily available and they learn socially acceptable behaviour at meal times as they sit up at the table or in highchairs. Children follow good hygiene practices and they all have their own labelled handtowels. The childminder follows correct procedures for giving medication and recording accidents and knows what to do in emergencies, so that children’s welfare is well protected. 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 3 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 18/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures to parents (Providing information to parents) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 18/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 18/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents) 18/12/2009

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