Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318867 Inspection date 18/11/2009 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

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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

Registered in 1993, the childminder lives with her husband and adult children in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Her home is close to all facilities and all rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding; outdoor play takes place in nearby parks and other green spaces. The childminder has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently, there are four children in the early years age group on roll and older children attend also. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children's welfare is promoted and they are well protected. The childminder's inclusive approach fully meets their individual needs and underpins the good progress they make in their learning and development. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. Partnership working and self-evaluation are effective, so scope for continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children have enough space in which to move freely and spread out activities.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding is prioritised. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is confident about the steps to take if there were concerns about a child. All household members are suitably vetted and the childminder keeps a record of visitors to monitor who has access to the children. Thorough risk assessments reduces the likelihood of accidents and the childminder teaches children to take an active part in staying safe, exemplified when they practice fire drills and road safety.

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the early years provision

Documentation is very well organised, readily available for inspection, stored securely to protect confidentiality and amended as soon as changes occur, to keep information up to date and accurate. All essential records and written policies are in place. Parents read these to gain an insight into the childminder's role and responsibilities and they sign a document stating that they have understood the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contents. The registration certificate is prominently displayed, as is a poster explaining how parents can contact Ofsted.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are very good. Contracts are used to set out clearly the expectations of both parties and daily discussions and diaries keeps parents informed of what children have done in their absence. Parents have highly positive views about the childminder and say she offers 'excellent care and protection' to children, most of whom have been in her care from babyhood. Parents particularly value the childminder's flexibility and the fact that their children are happy and contented when they are with her.

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the early years provision

Links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children are similarly good. The childminder collaborates with teaching staff from local schools and nurseries to share ideas about how to help children make progress. She gives questionnaires to them as well as parents, to enable her to identify areas for improvement. As well as this, the childminder reflects on her practice and makes good use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She undertakes relevant training and recent courses include safeguarding, first aid and behaviour management.

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the early years provision

At present, the indoor areas used for childminding are rather cluttered. This restricts the space children have to move around in and limits their scope to spread out activities. Nevertheless, they have easy access to a wide range of very good quality, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment, so they are able to initiate play of their own accord. The childminder promotes equality by ensuring that all the children are fully included in every activity and takes steps to ensure that resources and the environment are sustainable.

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and outcomes for children

Good support from the childminder helps children to feel safe, secure and receptive to new experiences. The childminder makes perceptive and interesting observations and assessments of them and uses the information to plan the next steps in their development. Plans cover all areas of learning, take good account of children's personal interests and show details of interesting activities that helps children to make good progress towards the early learning goals, in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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and outcomes for children

For example, the children enjoy art and craftwork, so they collect leaves and twigs during daily walks, which they later use to make pictures and collages with. This enables the children to express their creativity and encourages them to use natural materials in their play. The children have very good opportunities to meet other people. The childminder regularly takes them to the local childminding drop in and they go to toddler group several times a week, where they make friends and develop important social skills.

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and outcomes for children

The children have a range of cultural backgrounds. The childminder makes good reference to this and celebrates the same festivals that the children do at home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They eat food associated with these occasions and decorate themselves and the childminder's house, which raises children's awareness of different traditions. Resources like books, jigsaws and small world items reflects positive images of diversity to encourage children to respect difference, while clear and sensitive guidance from the childminder teaches the children right from wrong and how to behave acceptably.

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and outcomes for children

The children's health and well-being is well promoted. They eat appetising meals and snacks and have regular drinks throughout the day. They enjoy outdoor play and use apparatus, such as swings, bikes and rockers energetically and enthusiastically. This teaches the children that exercise is fun and keeps them fit and active. There are sensible arrangements for sick children, which alongside frequent hand washing, helps to contain the spread of illness. Collectively, these positive early experiences helps children develop skills for future success. 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 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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