Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346150 Inspection date 02/02/2011 Inspector Karen Tervit

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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 2007. She lives with her son, who is 11 years old, in a maisonette in Newcastle upon Tyne. Her home is close to all facilities, including schools and nurseries. All rooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed balcony for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years of age. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. 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

Children are cared for in an inclusive and very welcoming environment. They are making very good progress as the childminder provides a rich learning environment. Excellent partnerships with parents are in place. Detailed observations are used well to inform her practice. Most required documentation is in place to promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder is beginning to evaluate the care and education she provides and she is commited to attending training to develop her practice. Consequently, the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  develop systems for self-evaluation in order to help to promote continuous improvement to the provision and outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended recent safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of her role and responsibility. Consequently, children are well protected. Visual risk assessments take place daily for the childminder's home and all outings undertaken. These effectively reduce the chance of accidental injury. She keeps a detailed written record of these; however, she has not completed a written record of risk assessments for all the outings she provides. An emergency evacuation procedure is in place and regular fire drills are undertaken, which help to protect children's safety. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder's ongoing commitment to training has a significantly positive impact on the high quality of care provided. For example, she has attended a good amount of recent training and is booked on several training courses to develop her

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the early years provision

knowledge of good quality childcare further. Children's play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The childminder makes effective use of her local toy and book libraries so as to provide children with a varied range of interesting resources. The childminder has positively addressed the recommendation from her last inspection, resulting in children having access to a wide range of resources and activities which reflect diversity. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of inclusive practice and implementing effective strategies to ensure all children are included. She has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation tool to evaluate the service she provides, however, this is in the very early stages of development.

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the early years provision

Very good relationships have been established with parents. The childminder speaks to them on a daily basis as well as providing a detailed written diary. In addition, the childminder provides a photographic journal showing the interesting experiences she provides for children. This results in parents being fully informed of the experiences their children have enjoyed and enables them to continue their children's learning through highlighted activities. Parents' written comments about the care children receive are very positive. Currently there are no children on roll who access care and education in more than one setting. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of developing links with other local settings that children attend, when appropriate, so as to ensure that children receive continuity in their care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. They play purposefully with a good range of toys and activities that interest them and provide them with suitable challenges. Children's independence is developing as they select and play with toys and resources which are accessibly stored to promote free choice. Flexible daily routines allow children to experience an exciting range of activities in the home and within the local community, covering all areas of learning. They receive very good opportunities to develop their social skills at one of the many groups they attend. Detailed written observations of children are carried out, with the next steps in their learning being clearly identified.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of the world they live in as they participate in outings in the local community, including trips to the local Nature Trail where they show pleasure in collecting bugs and pulling out the weeds. They are developing good physical skills through attending various activities, such as movement and dance, trampolining and swimming. Children enjoy trips to interesting places such as the library and the Laing Art Gallery. Children's understanding of difference and the wider world is effectively encouraged through activities, access to resources and use of books. Children celebrate various festivals and special events, such as Christmas, developing their knowledge of similarities and differences of each other. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They receive good opportunities to be creative, for example, as they draw around gingerbread cutters and decorate them with sequins and glue feathers onto their

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and outcomes for children

birds. They play imaginatively with the finger puppets making different animal noises. Children show great interest in the story 'Handa's Surprise', carefully exploring the contents of the story sack, naming different fruits and animals. They concentrate well as they complete simple puzzles and even young children can name basic shapes and confidently count to 10.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder successfully supports children in behaving very well. Children receive regular praise for all achievements and are encouraged to say please and thank you. Children adopt good personal health and hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands thoroughly before eating and to brush their teeth after meals. Meals are provided by parents, with the childminder providing a good variety of fruit snacks. Children learn about healthy eating through taking part in fun activities such as 'Little Cook, Big Cook' baking sessions and making their own healthy recipe book. Children sing the 'tidy up' song as they put away toys before lunch, with the childminder offering gentle reminders to help to tidy up toys so they do not trip over. They know to negotiate stairs safely. Children are able to rest and sleep according to home routines. 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 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 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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