Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 310090 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Donna Lancaster

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband one adult son and two children aged 15 and 16 years. They live in a house situated in Cullercoates in North Shields. The designated play room, adjoining garden room and the kitchen/dining room are used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are also situated on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder's home is close to local schools, shops, toddler groups and other useful amenities.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years. Of these no more than three may be in the early years age group and, of these, no more than one may be aged under one year. There are currently five children who attend the childminder's home, of whom four are in the early years age group. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 5.30pm for 47 weeks of the year.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the local childminding network group and the National Childminding Association. She is a support childminder for newly established childminders.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle extremely well with the childminder and enjoy warm, close relationships. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. In addition, she provides an extensive range of effective learning experiences and play opportunities based on children s individual interests. Consequently, children make excellent progress in all areas of learning and development. All children are treated as individuals in a fully inclusive setting. They have their differing needs effectively met through exemplary partnerships with parents and others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder is committed to evaluating her practice to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas she plans to develop. This maintains continuous improvement, which enhances outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 ensure all risk assessments include a record of who carried them out. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's safety is of paramount importance to the childminder. She has attended lots of workshops and training, including safeguarding, to ensure she is meeting Health and Safety requirements and protecting children in her care. There is a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place. The childminder is very clear who to report concerns to so that children are always very well protected. She ensures that all adults in the home have been suitably vetted and the identity of visitors is checked before entering the home and they are asked to sign the visitor's book. Children are safe and secure as the childminder places a very strong emphasis on their safety and well-being. She ensures that children are very well supervised at all times. Thorough risk assessments are used efficiently and effectively. This helps to identify and minimise potential hazards within the premises and during regular activities and outings into the local community. However, these do not record who

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides a very caring and professional service. She demonstrates excellent organisational skills and is committed to continual improvement. She evaluates her practice on a weekly basis, effectively and actively seeking parents' and children's views through questionnaires in order to identify strengths and weakness of the provision. This also enables parents and children to make suggestions and give ideas to help make further improvements. There were no recommendations raised at the last inspection. All children are warmly welcomed into the setting where they develop a sense of belonging. An inclusive environment is provided in which children are treated as individuals and steps are taken to ensure all enjoy a sense of belonging. High quality toys and resources are within the children's reach and are well laid out with space for children to explore and investigate. This encourages children to lead and direct their own play and learning

p.5

the early years provision

and successfully engages the children's interest.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes excellent relationships with parents and carers and this is a key strength of the setting. She supplies comprehensive information about the setting by way of written policies, information relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage and lots of displays. She encourages daily opportunities to exchange information verbally, in order to meet individual needs. This is supported by daily two-way diaries, emails and text messages. Parents' knowledge of their children's development is fully included in the assessment system and used towards planning for their progress. The childminder has a good system for linking with other providers when children attend additional settings. This promotes consistency of children's care and extends their learning and development. Parents and carers are extremely complimentary about the operation of the setting. They express a high regard for the childminder, the welcoming and secure environment

p.5

the early years provision

and the flexible service provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder welcomes all children and their families into the rich, vibrant and inclusive environment she creates. Children are extremely happy and settled. The childminder uses her excellent knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements to plan an interesting and stimulating learning environment for all children. She knows children very well and, with her own enthusiasm, motivates and inspires them to learn, be inquisitive and ask further questions. This means that children are developing high levels of self-esteem and becoming extremely confident and self-assured. Each child has their in-depth individual folder, with excellent reference to children's learning and how they are achieving each broad phase of development. There are samples of photographs and their art and craft work. Observations are comprehensive and clearly link to the areas of learning and planning. Records and summative assessments

p.6

and outcomes for children

completed by the childminder show that children are making excellent progress in relation to their starting points.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is very focused on the children's individual interests and abilities and she uses this information to plan exciting activities for them. Children move around freely, making choices about where, and with what, to play. For example, a child chooses to build the kings castle, fixing the walls and the towers together successfully to complete the castle. Consequently, skills such as problem solving and concentration are being developed. Children benefit immensely from learning about healthy foods and eating habits as they plant vast numbers and varieties of seeds and plants. They learn how the seeds need water, food and sunshine for them to grow. Children harvest their crops, they wash, cook and eat their produce and discuss what they taste like. Children further develop their knowledge as they learn about recycling waste foods for the compost heap, which feeds the plants. In addition, numeracy and language skills are further developed as new words are

p.6

and outcomes for children

introduced into children's vocabulary. Children weigh, measure and look at size, shape and growth rate of the plants.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Babies enjoy investigating and exploring a range of household and natural objects, helping to develop their natural exploratory impulses. Their standing skills are encouraged as they have sturdy low level furniture to pull themselves up against. The childminder constantly talks to them, recounting what is happening as they play or while being fed, to encourage their early language development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children obtain skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being, for example, as they show interest in early information and communication technology, such as musical and wind up toys, and as they become independent learners. There is an extensive range of books which are easily accessible and available. These are clearly enjoyed by the children both independently and with the childminder. This is complimented with trips to the local library and the use of simple 'story sacks' at local groups.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about diversity and the wider community through a variety of activities and resources, such as, dressing up, dolls, food tasting, jigsaws and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 books. Activities around celebrations and special days, for example, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year further develop children's awareness of diversity.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from many interesting outings and opportunities for physical play, such as, visits to the farms, the parks, the beach, museums, the library, toddler groups and soft play area. They learn effective social skills because the childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement for good behaviour. This has a very positive impact on children's social and emotional development and contributes to them developing a respect for themselves and each other.

p.7

and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks about road safety and they frequently practice an emergency evacuation of the home. In addition, they learn more about safety as they participate in activities and topics such as 'people who help us'. The children have a very good understanding about being healthy and adopting healthy activities. For example, they have vegetables and fruit at snack time and they know that they need to wash their hands after toileting, before eating and after caring for pets. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9