Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY339268 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Shirley Peart

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since September 2006. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Benton, North Tyneside, with her husband and children, aged six and four years. The ground floor of the home, which includes bathroom facilities, are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear decked area for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of four children. There are currently seven children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years. All children attend on a part time basis and during school term time only.

p.4

Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Diploma in Home-based Childcare.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children play in a child-friendly environment, where they are very well supported in their learning and development. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is implemented effectively. The childminder works successfully with parents and other professionals, sharing information so that children’s all-round, individual needs are met. Children's general welfare, health and safety are enhanced by effective practice, as well as written policies and procedures. The childminder continually works hard to drive improvement, as she is highly committed to developing her knowledge and therefore strives to provide a very good service for children and parents.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 consider organising the layout of the toys in a better way, to ensure that all areas of learning are provided for, taking into account the attendance patterns of the children.

p.4

the early years provision

All adults in the household have undergone the necessary suitability checks and very good written risk assessments are in place, which are reviewed regularly. A good range of written policies underpin her practice and these are shared effectively with parents. She is well aware of the possible signs of child neglect and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 abuse. She is confident in knowing what to do if she has concerns about a child, or if there is a complaint against her, so that children are effectively safeguarded. All documentation for accident recording, medication administration and emergency medical consent are in place, which further promotes children’s welfare.

p.4

the early years provision

She has a professional approach to her childminding career. She attends regular training and is currently in the process of completing a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in childcare. She has started to reflect on practice by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form, although this could not be accessed on the day of the inspection. She has made very good progress since her last inspection, by addressing the recommendation very well, which has helped children to learn more about the importance of healthy eating. She is highly committed to continuous improvement, she uses the EYFS effectively, to record and monitor children’s progress and acts on parental feedback. This demonstrates that she is a dedicated and committed childminder, who is very keen to develop her provision further.

p.5

the early years provision

Children attend for variety of sessions and on varied days, some only attend for one day or session a week. Although they have excellent opportunities to be creative, play quietly and be outside in the fresh air, some areas of learning are not provided for on a daily basis, such as mathematical games and equipment, or drawing and writing tools. This is because of the way in which toys and resources are laid out. Children use recyclable materials for model making, which teaches them that these items can be used for a purpose.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to promoting inclusion and adapts her equipment and provision where necessary, for example, by providing left handed scissors. She ensures that children have easy access to lovely books and relevant resources, that reflect differences and diversity in a positive way. They celebrate different festivals and listen to ‘African music for children,’ which plays in the background. The childminder discusses all aspects of children’s care with parents at the start of a placement. She finds out about their needs and expectations and recognises that every child and family is different, therefore she tailors her provision to meet those needs. Parents receive copies of her written policies and procedures. She is a popular choice, as she has a number of children on her register. Recent questionnaires have been sent out and the childminder is currently collating this information with the aim of further improving partnerships with

p.5

the early years provision

parents. Comments are positive and include, ‘I am very happy with the excellent range of outdoor activities available.’ She has very good systems in place to build effective partnerships with settings, such as, other schools and nurseries that children in the early years attend.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminders planning, observations and assessments on children’s development, shows that she ensures children access a range of activities over time. This supports their overall development and learning effectively, so that they make very good progress. She uses the practice guidance of the EYFS extremely well, to monitor children’s progress against their age and stage of development, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 along with photographs and written observations stored on her lap-top, which can be shown to parents. She also uses opportunities through everyday routines to help children learn. For example, pre-school children are very independent, as they are given the time and space to put on their own coats and shoes, as well as use the bathroom by themselves. They are encouraged to think about number concepts, such as, when they tell the childminder how many pieces of apple they

p.5

and outcomes for children

would like for snack and count these out correctly, or when she points to the clock and talks about time, children successfully tell her which numbers they recognise.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to explore and experiment freely with a range of media and materials, which includes recyclable items, collage, clay, paint, glue and play dough, thus promoting their creative development and imagination extremely well. They are very happy during their play, as they glue their cardboard models, stating that they are making a boat. They chat away, sing spontaneously and are very confident in their surroundings, demonstrating that they feel safe and have a good sense of belonging. The childminder asks lots of relevant questions that make children think, respond and recall events. When the childminder enthusiastically bursts into song, all children, including babies, make good attempts to imitate the sounds, thus promoting their communication and language development extremely well. There is also a good range of interactive, electronic equipment for babies and pre-school children to use, which they know how to

p.6

and outcomes for children

work, thus helping them to develop skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have very good daily opportunities to be outside in the fresh air. They enjoy a healthy diet of substantial meals and snacks, as well as encouraged to have regular drinks, which are readily available, so that their health and well-being is promoted. They love to play on the adjacent decked area outside, they kick footballs, score goals and use the pretend play items to make dinner. They remain safe when they are indoors and outside, as the childminder is vigilant and helps children to understand about staying safe, for example they state that they must ‘hold onto the buggy’ when they go to collect other children from school. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8