Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305524 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Pope

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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 1997 and works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 15 and nine years, and their adult daughter. They live in the residential area of Fulwell in Sunderland. The childminder's home is accessed by three steps to the front door. The whole of the ground floor except for the utility room, the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. Currently there 12 children that attend in this age group. The childminder

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Description of the childminding

cares for children Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 8pm for 50 weeks of the year. She escorts children to and from the local school and nursery. She attends toddler groups on a regular basis. The family has a pet dog.

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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 provides a happy, welcoming and inclusive environment where all children are motivated and effectively cared for. She demonstrates a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and children make good progress. The childminder fosters secure partnerships with parents to ensure that they are aware of the policies and procedures at the setting and a range of information is exchanged to promote children's continuity of care. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder makes sure that priority for improvement is continuously identified and acted on, resulting in a provision that responds well to the needs of children.

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further?

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

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further?

 regularly ask parents for their views on the care and education provided  involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting to meet the needs of the children. Consequently, the required information is in place to underpin the care and welfare of the children. The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding. She is suitably trained to recognise that children may be at risk of harm and to liaise with appropriate agencies. Detailed written risk assessments are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 undertaken and minimised which cover any possible hazards that children might come into contact with in the home, garden or during outings. This is supported by a record of daily checks. Parents are well informed of the childminder's procedures through written policies and procedures which are shared prior to their child starting.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming environment which helps children to feel secure and valued. Equality of opportunity is well-promoted, ensuring all children are supported to participate in all aspects of the provision. There is a wide range of resources and furniture which are age and ability appropriate and available at child height in the front room, which is specifically set aside for childminding. Good use is made of the toy library so that resources are changed round at regular intervals to ensure that the children's interests are stimulated. The childminder has assessed her service through considering and targeting areas for further improvement. For example, she has recently added a downstairs toilet which has helped to develop children's independence and confidence in safety. The childminder observes children's interests and focuses activities based on this, which helps children to achieve. The childminder has made a strong commitment

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the early years provision

to improving her knowledge of good quality childcare. A wide variety of courses have been attended since her last inspection such as, 'An Introduction to Early Year's Mental Health' and 'Understanding the Significance of the Adult Role in Attachment'. Recommendations at the previous inspection have been implemented. For example, consent has been sought from parents for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment and an accurate and up-to-date record of children's attendance is maintained.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the effective relationships that have been developed between the childminder and parents. New children are offered settling-in visits where the childminder can get to know the child and family. They are kept up-to-date with their child's development through discussions when they collect their child. They have access to their development record which helps them to support and extend their child's learning at home, though they have not been asked to contribute their own observations to give a fuller picture of development. Questionnaires have been given to parents in the past so that they can give their view on the quality of the service. However, they have not been asked to complete one for a while to give an up-to-date view. The childminder liaises with other provisions that children attend for part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as nursery. She checks if children have been alright there and asks about what they have been doing, which

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the early years provision

promotes continuity of care and learning. The childminder values regular contact with other experienced childminders, as this enables her to purposefully gather further good practice ideas to trial with the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans and organises the systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs. Consequently, children have the opportunity to participate in a good range of activities and experiences and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is able to plan and promote their individual development and learning requirements. Parents of new children complete a booklet based on their child's needs and the childminder observes them when they first start. This enables the childminder to plan appropriate activities for the children. Regular observations are carried out and recorded which are supported by photographic evidence. The childminder evaluates what the child has done and notes the next step for their development. This shows clearly that children are making good progress against

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and outcomes for children

Children show confidence as they link up with the childminder for her support. She works closely with them, joining in with their activities and giving appropriate guidance. Children have very good language skills as they explain what they are making. They create 3D structures, arranging the large building blocks to make a wall for a house. They sort the blocks into different colour groups naming the colours as they do so. Children's understanding of size terminology is developed as they build two towers and say whether one is bigger than the other. Outings to various museums, the park and beach give them the opportunity to learn more about where they live and to ask questions about the natural world. They recall events that have happened at home such as making cakes. Organisation of the home enables children to move around freely as they choose where they want to carry out their activities. They ride the tricycle around the hall with pleasure and

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and outcomes for children

confidence negotiating the space successfully. Activities requiring hand-eye coordination are carried out as they squeeze, roll and cut out desired shapes from the play dough. Imagination is used well as they dress up as nurses and pretend to listen to each other's hearts.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes the good health of the children, taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection and she takes appropriate action when they are ill. Therefore, children are protected from infectious illness and they develop a clear understanding of how to promote their own good health. Children begin to understand about dangers and learn how to keep themselves safe. They have been on a trip to the fire station and the fire brigade have visited the home with the engine and practised an emergency evacuation with them. The childminder promotes a calm, yet firm, ethos as she uses sensitive behaviour management strategies, such as lots of praise and encouragement. This ensures children play safely and are respectful of one another. A sound range of resources that are representative of diversity, such as dolls, books and puzzles are provided, helping children to develop an understanding of the wider world. The childminder has an

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and outcomes for children

understanding of the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet based on children's individual requirements. Snacks and meals are prepared hygienically by the childminder who has completed training in food safety. 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 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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