Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397799 Inspection date 11/05/2010 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and three grown up children. They live in the residential area of Seaton Delaval in Whitley Bay. The whole of the ground floor, except for a bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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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

Children are cared for by a practitioner who shows a fair understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage which enables her to mainly meet the welfare requirements. However, she is much less confident and knowledgeable about how to encourage children to develop in all areas of their learning, which has a significant impact on children's progress in their time with her. The childminder ensures that all children are adequately included in the setting. Space and equipment are organised sufficiently to ensure that children are safe and mainly interested in their play. Records and documentation are mostly in place, however, some of these are very basic.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to seek any neccessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and welfare) 25/05/2010

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further?

 ensure experiences are planned and provided which are appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 25/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the risk assessment to ensure it covers anything a child may come into contact with  develop a secure understanding of the areas of learning and expand observations to analyse 'what next' for individual children  use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing review. 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 follows procedures to ensure that children remain safe in their time at the setting. She completes consistent monthly risks assessments which contribute to space, equipment and toys being safe for use, however these are very basic. Space and equipment are sufficiently organised to ensure children can make some choices about what they want to play with in the setting. The childminder has an adequate understanding of how to safeguard children. She is clear about her responsibilities around child protection which results in her being able to satisfactorily safeguard the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is accurate in identifying the areas she wishes to improve, such as, gaining more confidence in using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. However, she lacks sufficient focus to implement plans that will help her achieve the best possible outcomes for the children attending. Partnerships with parents are good in some respects. The childminder uses daily diaries to ensure parents are successfully updated about the care of their children. She also shares basic written policies with parents to ensure they are aware how her setting operates; however, systems to find out about children’s development when they start to attend are limited. The childminder cares for children who also attend other settings which provide the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works satisfactorily alongside others to find out what the children are doing at nursery and attempts to develop their continuous learning journey in her setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is gaining confidence in her ability to meet the welfare requirements; however, her ability and knowledge of how to meet the learning and development requirements is insufficient. She has very little knowledge of the areas of learning; consequently, children do not make as much progress as they can in all areas of their development. While children enjoy some of the toys and equipment that are freely available, the childminder’s lack of good quality observations about what children can do does not help them to reach the next steps in their learning. The childminder has developed sufficient relationships with all of the children in her care. Babies feel secure in the setting and approach the childminder confidently for comfort and support. The childminder shows a satisfactory understanding of babies’ individual needs and brings out toys she knows they enjoy. They have lots of fun passing a ball backwards and forwards, as

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and outcomes for children

they laugh and smile, and enjoy looking at their favourite pop-up books with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals that contribute towards a healthy diet. Some older children help the childminder to prepare meals at lunch time which contribute towards developing their self-esteem. Daily opportunities for children to be outdoors mean they receive regular exercise and fresh air. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 teaches children how to stay safe in their environment. She sensitively reminds them of rules in the house and considers how to ensure they stay safe outdoors as children are encouraged to walk on the inside of the pavement. The childminder has sufficient systems to collect information about children’s health and dietary requirements which means she is able to meet their individual needs. Children make some choices about what they want to do from a fair range of toys and equipment. Some children confidently move around the premises to select different

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and outcomes for children

Children mostly behave well. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of strategies to help children learn how to behave adequately in the setting. On some occasions children become distracted which the childminder deals with in an adequate manner; however, on these occasions children are not always supported well to consider the effect their actions could have on others. The childminder shows a satisfactory attitude towards promoting equal opportunities, which helps children develop respect and tolerance towards others. She talks to children about differences when they arise to ensure that children have some opportunities to learn about diversity and the wider world. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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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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