Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318848 Inspection date 08/02/2010 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 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 1992 and lives with her husband in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, near to all local facilities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time and currently, there are three children in the early years age group on roll; older children attend also. The childminder walks children to and 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

The childminder effectively meets the needs of every child on roll and attaches good priority to their safety. This promotes children's welfare and helps them to make good progress in their learning and development. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed and partnership working and self- evaluation are effective. Consequently, the 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?

 keep a record of when risk assessments are carried out.

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the early years provision

Emphasis is placed on safeguarding. The childminder's sound understanding of child protection procedures means she is aware that all household members must be suitably vetted. She is knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms indicative of abuse and knows how to pass on concerns. Risk assessments are carried out. Although there are no details of when these are conducted, they are otherwise thorough and help to prevent accidents. As well as this, children are taught to take some responsibility for their own safety. For example, they practise fire drills and road safety routines.

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the early years provision

Documentation is 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 and these are shown to parents to give them an insight into the childminder's role and responsibilities. The registration and public liability certificates are prominently displayed as is a poster explaining how parents can contact Ofsted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Partnership with parents is good. Contracts are used to set out clearly the expectations of both parties. Daily discussions with the childminder, files showing children's progress and examples of their work keep parents and the childminder informed of children's development and recent experiences. Parents have positive views of the childminder whom they describe as 'highly experienced and very

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the early years provision

flexible'. They say the care that she offers the children is 'second to none' and that their children are 'very happy and extremely well cared for'.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established other links too. For example, she confers with teaching staff from schools and nurseries that the children attend to complement the care and education that the children receive there, she also meets with other registered childminders to discuss practice issues. Self-assessment is effective and identifies areas for improvement. The childminder is committed to ongoing professional development and undertakes relevant training; recent courses include first aid and an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) workshop.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages parents to make introductory visits before the children begin attending. This enables her to gather information about the needs and interests of individual children to establish their personal starting points and abilities. Thereafter, the perceptive observations and assessments she makes of the children underpin the interesting activities she plans. These cover all areas of learning, offer children suitable challenge and help them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. For example, the children's literacy development is promoted when they look at books, such as 'This is our House' and 'Full, Full, Full of Love'. These show beautiful illustrations of people from a range of cultures and people with disabilities, which raises children's awareness of diversity and difference. The toys and resources the children use are plentiful, developmentally appropriate and good quality and offer lots of scope for fun and enjoyment.

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and outcomes for children

Children access equipment easily to initiate play of their own accord, while clear floor space allows them to move around freely and spread out activities.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy being outside. They like to ride bikes, go for walks and do basic gardening. These opportunities help them develop an appreciation of outdoor activities and promote their physical health, as does the nutritious diet they eat during their time at the childminder's. This includes a weekly treat, a small portion of chocolate, for example, or crisps, which helps them to form a balanced view of food and eating. Consistent routines, such as hand washing, teach the children about personal hygiene while the sensible sick children policy helps to contain the spread of illnesses and infections.

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and outcomes for children

Relationships between the children and the childminder are excellent. The children receive very good support from the childminder and feel safe and secure. They are developing effective social skills, exemplified when they sit together at meal times and converse with their peers. The childminder offers the children sensitive guidance that teaches them right from wrong and she provides them with opportunities that allow positive personal qualities to flourish. The children help to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 tidy up and set the table. These highly beneficial experiences help children to reach their full potential and achieve 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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