Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397678 Inspection date 02/03/2010 Inspector Anthea Errington

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2009. She lives with her partner and young child. They live in the residential area of Shiremoor, Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor and the toilet on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. She currently has two children on roll, both of which are in the early years age group. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year. The childminder has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She intends to take and collect children to and from the local school and attends the local toddler group.

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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 are happy and are making good progress in their learning and development through the efficient support they receive from the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, clear and effective systems to observe and assess children are in place, which ensures their next steps of learning are planned for well. The secure relationships formed with parents are good, which enables information to be effectively shared. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice, and has identified ways to move forward, including additional training. This provides a positive approach to her continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further support children's learning in using a range of information and technology resources  continue to develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self- evaluation, and identify priorities for development  provide opportunities to help children become aware of, explore and question differences in ethnicity, cultures, religion, language and disability issues.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected well because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. She provides a safe environment through the effective system of risk assessments. This is supported with a clear safeguarding policy, which is shared with parents and suitability checks have been completed on all adult family members. This This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively promotes children's ongoing well-being and protection. There are well maintained systems in place to record attendance, as well as effective recording systems for medication administration and accidents. As well as this, the children take part in regular fire drills and ensure clear floor space by tidying up activities which teach them simple but effective ways to stay safe.

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the early years provision

Documentation is well organised and required records are in place, readily available and stored securely to protect confidentiality. The childminder has not as yet developed a formal system to evaluate her provision. However she does recognise the importance of continuous improvement and has arranged relevant training courses to continue to develop her knowledge of childcare and improve outcomes for children. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the good organisation of space and time and the availability of good quality resources. The childminder displays a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and works hard to provide an enabling and inclusive environment which makes parents and children feel welcome. However, activities and resources to further develop children's awareness and understanding of the wider world are limited.

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the early years provision

The partnerships with parents are good. They have access to a broad range of information including well written policies and procedures. Parents have provided positive written feedback and comment on the varied activities their children participate in. Children's learning and development files are made available to them as well as daily diaries to keep them fully informed of their children's learning and development. Consequently, parents can contribute towards their children's learning at home from the clear and detailed information provided for them. There are currently no children attending who access care and education in more than one setting. However, the childminder is aware of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners to ensure continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows the children in her care very well and confidently describes their needs and stages of development. She has implemented detailed plans and well written observations and assessments of children's development, linking them to the areas of learning. She uses these effectively to identify children's next steps in learning to fully promote their outcomes towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children constantly receive purposeful support from the childminder so they feel safe, valued and secure, which increases their desire to learn. They show curiosity and increasing independence as they select from the resources, which the childminder ensures are readily available to them. Children have lots of fun and display great interest as they play with the play dough. They are becoming aware of pattern, shape and size as they play and create models. For example, young children discover they can make patterns by using the various tools available and older children identify small and large pieces of dough, stating they have made a 'baby wiggly worm' and a 'big snowman'. Children are becoming confident communicators and make their requests known to the childminder using verbal This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and non-verbal communication. Young children reach out to her for comfort and

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and outcomes for children

she readily responds with warmth and affection. The childminder uses very good story telling techniques to reinforce and extend children's learning. For example, songs and rhymes are incorporated into the story which effectively supports children's concentration and learning. Children smile with pleasure as they join hands and sing 'row, row the boat' and have further opportunities to develop their imagination and creativity as they dance around the room to recognised songs. This provides them with good opportunities for exercise and contributes to their good health as they gain increasing control over their bodies. Children have satisfactory opportunities to develop their information and technology skills as they have some access to programmable toys. The childminder uses effective resources to develop children's understanding of the natural world as they complete a daily weather chart. They share their knowledge confidently as they point to the window

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and outcomes for children

stating 'look it is sunny'. Outings into the local environment help children to learn about their own community, as they visit local parks, such as the Cobalt Nature Reserve. Children are provided with good opportunities to develop their social skills, and regularly attend toddler groups where they have opportunities to play and share with children of similar ages and stages of development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is fully committed and takes all reasonable steps to ensure the children's welfare needs are met. Children are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which comply with their dietary requirements. They learn about keeping themselves healthy as they readily wash their hands before food is provided. Access to their own individual facecloths and towels helps to prevent any spread of infection. Children demonstrate their feeling of being safe as they approach the childminder for comfort and reassurance. They are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe as they help to pick up toys to ensure there is sufficient safe floor space. Children behave very well in the childminder's care and respond positively towards her. The childminder has realistic expectations in accordance with each child's age and stage of development and is a good role model for them. 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 3 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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