McKay, Kirsty Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399649 Inspection date 14/12/2010 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 assesses 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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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 December 2009. She lives in South Shields, Tyne and Wear with her children aged 15 and 12 years. The home is situated in a residential area close to local shops, school and main town centre. The ground floor of the home and a bathroom on the same level are used for childminding. A first floor bedroom is also available for use. There is an enclosed rear garden and patio area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children. There is currently one child who is within the early year's age group attending. She 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 recognises and values each child's uniqueness and promotes a fully inclusive environment where children are treated as part of the family. Therefore, they are very settled with her and make good progress in their learning and development. Their safety and welfare is promoted very well and the capacity to improve her provision and practice is good. Although she does not yet use any form of self-evaluation to identify her strengths and weaknesses, she occasionally reflects on practice and has a positive attitude to continue to improve her provision for the children's benefit. She has established effective links with parents so that they work together well to meet the children's all round needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider using a form of self-evaluation to review and reflect on practice, so that ways to improve the quality of the care, learning and development for children are identified  consider the way in which toys and resources are provided so that children's play can be supported and extended further.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. Written documentation, policies and information available, ensures that she has everything at hand which underpins this knowledge, so that children are effectively safeguarded. Children's health and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare is promoted very well via good use of child safety equipment throughout the home such as corner protectors, fireguard and safety gates. She also identifies and records potential hazards inside, outside and on outings and takes action to minimise these risks so that children remain safe whilst in her care. She also carries out a daily safety check of her home to further protect their welfare. Although she has not yet practiced her fire drill she currently only cares for one child and is well aware of what to do in an emergency. Her fire escape plan is

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the early years provision

prominently displayed, smoke detectors are checked regularly and a fire blanket is in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude to developing and improving her service to benefit the children. She has only recently commenced childminding so has not yet started any form of self-evaluation to identify her strengths and priorities for improvement. However, she has completed all required training and more, such as food hygiene and is due to attend a child protection course in the near future. She does, on occasions, self-reflect on her practice and she is aware of certain aspects of her practice that she would like to improve on, such as allowing and encouraging children to be more independent rather than doing things for them.

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the early years provision

She has established good relationships with parents. They exchange verbal information on a daily basis and the childminder offers to keep daily written diaries on children's care should the parents require this. She gives them her very good information file to take home and read before they decided to use her service. This covers all aspects of care, routines and policies, such as how she will promote equal opportunities and manage children's behaviour. During initial visits she talks to parents about children's likes, dislikes and activities and any health or dietary needs, so that she has a good understanding of children's requirements before they commence. At present no children she cares for attend other early year's settings. However, the childminder is aware of promoting suitable partnership working to ensure continuity and coherence.

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the early years provision

Her home is fully accessible as all care and facilities are available on the ground floor to suit any child or parent with mobility problems. Children have easy access to a good range of toys and equipment which is age appropriate, bright and clean. However, too many boxes of toys out at any one time occasionally prevent children from concentrating on a chosen activity. A welcome poster and positive words in different languages are prominently displayed throughout the home, which ensures a welcoming and inclusive environment is provided for children and parents. Children occasionally use recyclable materials and real items during play, such as large cardboard boxes and safe pots and pans, which teaches them that everyday items can be useful and have a different purpose.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage very well to ensure that children's learning, enjoyment and development are effectively promoted. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, she uses the Practice Guidance as a working tool to gain advice and information to support children's all round development and tracks their progress by using the hints and effective practice sections. She records observations and uses photographs very well, linking these to the aspects within the six areas of learning. She records the next steps in children's development so that she monitors their progress effectively and identifies any gaps in their learning. These observations and photographs are nicely held in individual diaries and are available to parents at all times. She plans her days fully around the children's needs. They have a good routine and attend different groups in the local community such as

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and outcomes for children

baby bounce sessions, Wobbly Walkers and toddler groups. They do messy art and craft activities, play with electronic toys and sing and dance, so that their all round needs, learning and enjoyment is promoted very well.

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and outcomes for children

A warm and welcoming environment is provided. Children's music plays in the background and the childminder dims the lights when they need a nap. Children are very happy, settled and comfortable with her. They approach her easily, give her books that they have chosen and jump up on the settee beside her so that she can read to them. Toddlers successfully turn the pages, listen, point to pictures and attempt to repeat words and sounds, thus promoting their language and literacy development very well. As the childminder spontaneously sings children dance, wiggle, make actions and become animated in response to familiar songs demonstrating that they feel safe and secure in her care. They are beginning to develop their social skills and are becoming more self-assured as they join in at toddler groups and confidently show their toys and books to visitors which helps them to make a positive contribution and develop skills for the future. They have

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and outcomes for children

lovely relationships with the childminder and currently receive one-to-one care as numbers of children attending are low. Their behaviour is good as they receive plenty of positive attention.

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and outcomes for children

Children are out and about in the fresh air everyday as the childminder walks or uses public transport to attend community activities. She provides children with regular drinks; healthy meals; snacks, such as fresh or dried fruit; and substantial wholesome dinners so that their nutritional needs are met very well. Children are safely strapped into buggies or she use reins when they are out walking. Toys and equipment are regularly tidied away to prevent unnecessary accidents from happening. She is also aware of any possible hazards, for example, she puts children's shoes back on to prevent them slipping on the wooden floor and explains why she does this so that they begin to understand about staying safe. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 2 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 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 3

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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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