Pearson, Linda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318985 Inspection date 23/04/2010 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband in Kingston Park, a suburb of Newcastle. The house is close to local amenities, such as schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is also an enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7am to 6pm.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for seven children, of whom three are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of Newcastle childminding network and holds a childcare qualification.

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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 offers a welcoming and inclusive environment to all children and their families. She demonstrates a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and children make good progress. The childminder works in partnership with parents and gives them detailed information about the service she provides. The childminder has effective systems in place to reflect and evaluate the service she provides and shows that she has the capacity to develop the service further.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider developing the risk assessments further, for example, by making a record of the risk assessments undertaken for outings  further develop the system for assessing and planning for children’s learning and development, linking with the parents to use their observations made at home to contribute to the assessment process.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded well as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, which is reflected in her written procedures to safeguard children. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments of the premises, toys and equipment to ensure they remain suitable for young children. She also risk assesses any venues visited by children, however, these are not recorded. Children's individual records are informative, ensuring that the needs of all children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are effectively met and inclusive care is promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised. She uses the available space within her home to encourage the children to become independent learners. There is a good range of well-presented, quality resources which are available for the children to self-select. The childminder values each child as an individual and this is evident through her knowledge and planning for each child, ensuring their progress is good. Children's understanding of difference is suitably promoted through toys, resources and outings that enable them to develop an awareness of their local community and diversity in the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with parents and children; this contributes to inclusion, meeting their needs consistently and providing continuity of care. She provides parents with a wealth of information about her service, including full copies of her comprehensive written policies. All children have an individual development file which is filled with narrative observations and photographs, parents are invited to look through them, helping them to become involved in their children's learning. However, although the childminder encourages parents to share their observations from home the information gained from their discussion is not used effectively to contribute to their children's assessment process. Written comments from parents are positive and complimentary, and reflect their total satisfaction with the service that is provided. There are no children in the early years age range who attend other Early Years Foundation

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the early years provision

Stage settings. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of forging links with them to ensure continuity in children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder completed her written self-evaluation of the setting some time ago and this helped her to identify key strengths and areas for improvement within her provision. Some of the areas identified have already been addressed, such as providing additional resources which reflect different cultures and diversity. Although the childminder has not reviewed her self-assessment recently she intends to do so in order to ensure ongoing improvements. The childminder recognises the importance of keeping her knowledge up-to-date and has attended some short term courses, such as safeguarding children, equality and diversity, and singing with children. She also liaises with her fellow childminders and network coordinator to discuss practice and quality issues. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been addressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's detailed knowledge of their individual needs. They settle quickly and have a warm, secure relationship with the childminder. This secure relationship builds their confidence, allowing them to try out new activities and experiences. The childminder demonstrates a good working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Flexible planning ensures that activities respond to the daily needs and interests of the children, this combined with good organisation ensures children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive a balance of adult and child-led activities delivered both in and out of doors. The childminder knows the children very well and has begun to carry out worthwhile observations of them while they play. Their progress is recorded in

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and outcomes for children

their individual development file, linking the activity to the areas of learning and identifying their next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children are constantly stimulated due to the childminder’s active engagement with them as they play. Her effective organisation of daily routines ensures that they access a wide variety of activities each day which help promote all areas of their learning and development. The children investigate things repeatedly, such as pressing the pop-up toys and attempting to move the beads around the wire framework, beginning to work out that one action has an effect on others. She sits with the children to look at a book and encourages interaction by repeating the words to support their early communication skills while developing positive relationships. The childminder responds sensitively to young children’s swiftly changing needs, providing meals when they show signs of hunger and offering comfort when they suddenly show signs of tiredness. They therefore develop a strong sense of security and belonging in her care and are happy and settled.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is adept at using spontaneous activities to introduce concepts, such as number and colour. For example, while playing with the farm animals she counts out the numbers of the animals as they begin to line them up, and as they look through the book the childminder reaffirms the colours of the objects. Children have good opportunities to socialise with other children as they visit local childminding drop-in sessions. The childminder supports children's growing physical skills, holding their hands as they try to stand and giving them encouragement to pull themselves up using the sturdy furniture. Children's learning is enhanced further through their interesting visits; for example, they visit Segedunum Roman Fort where they can dress up as roman soldiers and experience history first hand.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel safe and secure in the childminder's home and benefit from the steps she has taken to identify and remove hazards within the home. Daily routines are used well to ensure that children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise, including the daily walk to school, regular walks around the local environment and visits to the park. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. When tired, children snuggle in for cuddles before going off to sleep. The childminder supports children's understanding of keeping themselves safe through regular practices of the fire drill and by discussing road safety. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating through the provision of healthy snacks and drinks. The childminder takes full account of the children's ages and stages of development with regard to managing their behaviour; methods, such as, distraction, praise, and early intervention are all used effectively to promote

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and outcomes for children

positive behaviour and self-esteem. 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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