Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY255193 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and one adult child in the residential area of Howdon, in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 5pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years range. She currently has five children on roll who are in the early years range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and currently there are two children on roll in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She escorts children to and from the local school and nursery and attends several childminder 'drop in' groups.

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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

Children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming family home, and happily play in a well resourced environment. They enjoy learning about their local area, and the world around them, and well planned activities help children make good progress in their learning and development. Children's needs are met in an inclusive and supportive atmosphere as the childminder establishes mainly very good relationships with parents and others, and shares relevant information. Policies, procedures and required documentation are all in place and used effectively to ensure the safety and welfare of children. The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving her own skills and has established an effective system of self-evaluation to enable her to monitor her service and identify clear targets for future development, helping to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop opportunities for parents to be part of the observation and assessment process by contributing to children's learning and development records 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 has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. There are effective vetting procedures, which ensure that all adults living on the premises or having contact with children are suitable to do so. For example, all adults hold relevant checks and clearances. The childminder ensures her knowledge and understanding is kept fully up-to-date by attending training events, such as safeguarding and first aid training. She is confident to report any child protection concerns following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. This is supported by a detailed written policy which includes procedures to follow should she have a concern. The childminder conducts effective risk assessments that ensure all potential hazards to children are effectively minimised. Well written policies and good organisation of daily documentation also contribute toward the safe, effective management of the provision, and children's well-being.

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the early years provision

Good thought is given to the organisation of toys, and low level storage boxes enables children to choose for themselves, promoting confidence and independence. The childminder is taking appropriate steps to ensure her provision and environment is sustainable. Children regularly re-cycle materials to make models and she also uses her local Surestart group to access different resources. Children are introduced to, and become actively involved in, community groups such as local Surestart groups, and make regular visits to the parks. This also helps to broaden children's range of experiences and supports their social skills and awareness of the wider world around them. The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to promoting better outcomes for children. For example, since her last inspection she has attended several workshops relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and has completed her Cache level 3 certificate in

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the early years provision

Children's Care Learning and Development and Diploma in Home Based Childcare. Systems for self-evaluation are effective with the childminder being able to identify her strengths and weaknesses well. She is passionate about the children in her care and gains written feedback from parents to give her an optimal view of the service she provides.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision well and is very caring, providing plenty of individual support, which is reflected in children's happiness, confidence and strong sense of belonging. She promotes equality of opportunity and values all children. She plans activities to develop children's understanding about the diversity of society. The childminder works closely with parents to promote children's welfare, learning and development. Becoming familiar with each child's needs and their starting points is part of the settling in procedures. This helps the childminder to recognise and support each child's individual needs and unique qualities. Ongoing sharing of information is good, for instance the childminder writes a diary for every child to take home. Parents comment extremely positively on the service they receive, they report, 'I am more than happy with the excellent service provided'. Children's profiles, observations, photographs and artwork are always available to

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the early years provision

share with parents. However, systems for parents to contribute to children's learning and development records are not fully established. The childminder liaises with other practitioners within the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nursery school which children in her care attend to promote the integration of children's care, learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily engage in their play and the many toys stimulate their enjoyment and conversation. They are achieving well in their learning and development because the childminder enthusiastically encourages and supports their play. She constantly talks and listens to the children, which motivates their learning. Activities are challenging and are flexible and based on the children's interests, for example, they eagerly choose whether to play number games, construction or do puzzles, and daily plans show opportunities to go out or join in creative play. The childminder uses starting points, and ongoing observation to monitor children's progress. She has devised a detailed tracking system to record their development toward the early learning goals. Each child has a development file where information is recorded; this is used to identify future activities linked to their next steps in learning and achieving. Each child's unique qualities are highly valued

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and outcomes for children

because the childminder makes allowances for their different personalities, which is reflected in children's happiness and warm interaction with her. Children learn to care for living things when they visit the local farm, and about their local area with visits to the park, library and museum, which are enjoyed by all.

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and outcomes for children

Children are afforded plenty of space for rest and active play, and the garden provides a variety of safe challenges for them. They behave very well, responding warmly to the childminders kind words of praise and encouragement. Children share the toys, are kind to one another and follow simple instructions, such as helping to tidy the toys away. Regular visits to the childminder 'drop in' sessions provide worthwhile opportunities for children to socialise with others. The childminder helps children to become aware of keeping themselves safe, such as discussing road safety on walks, and practicing fire evacuation. She has also developed a 'safety bag' with props for children to play with helping to raise their awareness of safety issues. Good opportunities are provided by the childminder for children to freely express themselves through a range of creative media, and re- enacting their own experiences through role-play helps them make sense of the

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and outcomes for children

world. Children develop their awareness of technology and begin to make connections through experiences when playing simple computer games. The childminder supports children's obvious interest in books particularly well. She has developed her own role play 'book worm' library with children taking their favourite books home on a regular basis. Children consistently count to 10 or more, and confidently talk about shape, colour and pattern when playing. Singing rhymes and free access to a camera and information and technology equipment also contribute to children's future skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play and explore safely using clean and well maintained resources. Regular use of the garden, outings to the park and walks, provide good opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage children's physical development. Children are given time to explore and practise new skills, for example when using This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the small obstacle course in the locality, as they begin to understand the importance of being healthy and active. Healthy snacks and meals are provided by the childminder and highlight the importance of making healthy choices. In the spring the children enjoyed planting fruit and vegetables in the garden with follow up taster sessions. The childminder's good relationship with parents and her effective procedures ensure children are cared for appropriately when ill. This

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and outcomes for children

reduces the risk of the spread of infection. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, is in place and up-to- date. These positively safeguard children's well-being. 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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