Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318834 Inspection date 21/05/2010 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 1993. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 19 years and 16 years, in West Denton, situated on the western outskirts of Newcastle. Local amenities include shops, schools and nursery, green areas and community centre groups. The main shopping and leisure facilities of the city of Newcastle are in reach by car and public transport. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am till 6pm.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for five children of whom three are in the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and makes use of the advice, support and training opportunities offered through the local authority. She is part of the Newcastle Childminding Network and attends the childminder drop-in and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 knows each child extremely well and recognises their individuality. She shows a good understanding of the learning and development requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage and helps children to progress well. Close working relationships are fostered with parents and other providers helping to fully support children's development and learning. The childminder is enthusiastic about her work with children and shows commitment to developing her knowledge by regularly attending training courses. She is beginning to reflect upon her practice and demonstrates a good capacity for improving what is offered to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon existing systems for monitoring children’s progress to show how children’s next steps are planned for.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of how to respond should she have any concerns regarding child protection. All members of the family have appropriate checks in place. The childminder has carried out a full risk assessment of her home and garden and these are regularly reviewed, risk assessments for outings are also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed and recorded. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place and underpin the service provided. They ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. The childminder collates appropriate records and parental consents to promote children's good health and well-being. Alongside these are well maintained systems to record attendance, as well as effective recording systems for medication administration and accidents. An up-to-date first aid certificate ensures that the childminder is able to respond effectively to any

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role to promote equality and diversity and plans a range of activities and experiences to enable children to learn about the wider world, through puzzles, cultural foods, posters and books. The learning environment is well organised with easy access to resources so children are able to make decisions about what they want to play with. The childminder currently has no children attending, who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, however, she demonstrates a positive attitude towards gathering information from parents to ensure that all children are included at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains very good links with parents and carers, collecting and sharing information about children and valuing their contributions as partners in children's ongoing learning and development. Parents are asked to read key policies and procedures, including the complaints procedure. They are kept very well informed of their child’s progress and achievements through verbal feedback, texts and access to their children's development file. Parents have completed questionnaires and the comments made demonstrate strongly their overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward the childminder and the service that she offers. The childminder has established good links with other professionals involved in children's care, such as nurseries and schools where there is shared care, ensuring continuity in care and their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good start to the self evaluation. She works with fellow childminders and network coordinator to help her identify strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder is committed to ongoing improvement by undertaking training and qualifications. For example, since the last inspection she has completed a Diploma in Home-based Childcare, and undertaken a number of short term training courses. All actions and recommendations from the previous inspection have been positively addressed and implemented. For example, the childminder has ensured all adults living on the premises have been vetted and the completion of her self-evaluation has enabled her to reflect on the service she provides. This helps to promote outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and content in the care of the childminder. The childminder has an instinctive understanding of how young children develop and plans activities for them which cater for their individual needs. As a result children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder records regular observations and supports them, with photographs and children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 artwork to show progress. The narrative observations and the photographs clearly show that children are participating in a range of fun and exciting activities, which promote learning. These are successfully linked to the areas of learning and children's next steps are identified. Although it is clear that the childminder develops plans for children's next steps these are not recorded to show their ongoing progress.

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and outcomes for children

There is a very good range of toys and resources available and children have plenty of free choice. The childminder devotes her time and attention to the children, effectively promoting their learning though play. Activities are linked to reinforce learning, for example, baking activities help children to understand weighing, measuring and number concepts, as they add or take ingredients away. Children also enjoy a range of activities which contribute to the development of their imaginative, creative and language skills, such as drawing, painting, reading, dressing up and making music. Children's language skills are developing effectively through the positive interactions that takes place between the childminder and the children. For example, the childminder talks to the children about what they are doing. Children express their creativity as they use a wide variety of media to paint, stick, draw, construct and play musical toys. They use their imagination, as

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and outcomes for children

they act out familiar role play scenarios and use dressing up clothes. Programmable resources, such as calculators, computer, camera and electronic toys, help children to begin to develop skills for the future. Children positively benefit from a wide range of trips which includes visits to local shops, the farm, toddler group and local parks which helps them to socialise and learn about their community. Children's understanding of the natural world is developed, as they plant seeds and observe them as they grow. The childminder is also very keen that children develop an understanding of how to care for the environment and explains why it's important to use the recycling boxes, so paper and packages can be reused. Children behave very well and develop a positive attitude to learning as the childminder takes an interest in everything they do. She is always nearby giving praise for their achievements and as a result children know what is expected

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and outcomes for children

of them and have good levels of self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Effective safety practises, such as regular fire drills, locking external doors and undertaking detailed risk assessments, create an environment where children's safety is of paramount importance. Alongside this, close supervision from the childminder, coupled with clear explanations about keeping safe both inside and outside the house, minimises potential hazards and protects the welfare of the children in her care. In addition, visits to 'Safety Works' which is an interactive safety centre. It provides an innovative, enjoyable learning experience, enabling children to participate safely in realistic situations illustrating everyday hazards and how to prevent them. Children have daily access to fresh air and exercise, which develops there understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Children are well nourished. They eat healthy snacks and meals, and the childminder ensures children can access drinks regularly.

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and outcomes for children

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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