Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 311786 Inspection date 14/12/2009 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Low Fell, Gateshead. The childminder’s home is accessed by several steps. The ground floor lounge, kitchen and toilet are used for childminding. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 5pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a friendly, homely environment where children are happy and settled. She has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and plans a suitable range of activities which cover all areas of learning. This helps children to make appropriate progress towards the early learning goals. She has appropriate procedures in place to work with parents to promote an inclusive environment and as a result, has a sound understanding of children's individual needs. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her areas for development, however, she has not fully implemented procedures to effectively monitor and evaluate her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the record of risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact with  develop further systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities in order to inform future planning  develop systems to use the experiences children bring from home as the starting point for their learning  develop further procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children issues. This is supported by a detailed written policy and a clear understanding of procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. She has a suitable range of policies and procedures in place which underpin her practice and are shared with parents. Effective systems are in place for recording children’s details, attendance, medication administration and accidents. These are kept up-to-date and stored confidentially to further safeguard children. Children's welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder and her family have had suitable checks completed. Daily checks, along with a record of risk assessments, helps keep children safe inside and outside of the home. However, the record of risk assessments do not fully cover all areas which children may come into contact with. Consent to obtain emergency medical treatment is in place and the childminder holds a current first

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the early years provision

aid certificate. This ensures that she could respond appropriately to accidents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended little training since her last inspection, however she has ensured that important training, such as first aid, is kept up-to-date. She has identified that she would to like to develop her understanding of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS, however she has not attended any training to support this. The childminder has positively addressed the recommendation raised at the previous inspection which helps to promote outcomes for children. She discusses issues with other childminders and reads relevant information to develop her practice. However, she has not further developed procedures to effectively monitor and evaluate her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes appropriate use of available space within her home . She provides children with a suitable range of resources which are rotated regularly to allow children to make confident choices about their learning and play. The childminder does not currently care for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, however, she demonstrates a positive attitude towards ensuring that all children are fully included at the setting and to gathering information in order to meet their individual needs. Appropriate procedures are in place to work with parents. They receive relevant policies and procedures and useful information, such as certificate of registration, first aid certificate and information about how to contact Ofsted, which are displayed for parents to see. Suitable procedures are in place to gather information about children in order to meet their individual needs,

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the early years provision

such as medical history and emergency consents. Parents are kept informed about their child's learning and care through regular verbal feedback and access to their daily diaries. However, she has not developed any procedures to gather starting points from parents in order to effectively assess children's progression towards the early learning goals. The childminder has established firm links with the local nursery. She meets regularly with them to discuss progress and ensure continuity of learning and care for children who attend both settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy to participate in the variety of activities provided. They are confident in her care, moving around the space and accessing resources freely or coming to her for support and cuddles. The childminder demonstrates a basic understanding of the EYFS, and plans activities which cover all areas of learning. She knows the children well and as such has a suitable understanding of their next steps in development. This helps them to make appropriate progress towards the early learning goals. She has introduced individual scrap books of photographs for each child along with diaries to record daily activities. However, these are not linked to the areas of learning or used to inform future planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to learn right from wrong and to start to take responsibility for their own actions as the childminder implements effective age- appropriate behaviour management techniques. They have clearly formed close relationships with the childminder and each other, and show care and consideration for their friends. For example, they pass toys to each other and thank each other for doing so. The childminder interacts well with the children, extending their learning as she encourages them to count, identify colours and use mathematical language such as 'bigger' and 'smaller than'. Jigsaws, games and building blocks are used to good effect to promote children's problem solving skills. The children clearly love books and spend extended periods of time looking at them independently or sitting with the childminder to read them together. They are beginning to identify letters and confidently point to letters for their own

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and outcomes for children

names and their friend's names. Appropriate use of play cameras, phones and programmable toys helps children to begin to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a balance of indoor and outdoor activities. They play with balls and hoops in the church hall and attend a variety of toddler groups where they are able to socialise with their peers. Such activities also provide regular opportunities for children to have exercise and promote their physical development. The childminder has a good understanding about the importance of providing a healthy and balanced menu and provides regular snacks of fresh fruit for the children. She supports children to begin to understand about healthy eating as she talks to them about how they will grow big and strong if they eat their fruit. A clear sick-child policy, which is effectively shared with parents, prevents cross- infection and further supports their good health. Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping safe. The childminder gives them gentle reminders to be careful while in the home so they do not trip and hurt themselves. This is

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and outcomes for children

combined with practising road safety, regular fire drills and trips to the fire station. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3

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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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