Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY288473 Inspection date 08/02/2011 Inspector Lindsey Pollock

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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 2004. She lives in Newcastle with her husband and her son and daughter aged 15 and 11 years. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll in this age group who attend on part time basis. The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. The family has a guinea pig.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is warm and caring and children are settled in her care. Children are making steady progress in their learning and are developing the skills they need in order to secure future learning. Effective partnerships with parents are established which ensure children's individual needs can be met. Although the childminder has not fully implemented systems for self-evaluation, she is positive in her approach to development. She is committed to promoting outcomes for children through regular training to update her skills and knowledge. Consequently, there is a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for observation, planning and assessments for all children so that activities can be adapted to meet the individual needs of all children  use self-evaluation forms to help identify areas for development  increase resources and activities to help promote children's awareness and appreciation of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding issues. She has completed training to update and enhance her knowledge and fully recognises her responsibility for protecting children. Checks have been completed on all household members, to ensure they are suitable to be in regular contact with children, and anyone who has not been checked is never left alone with the children. Thorough risk assessments are completed for indoors and appropriate safety measures are in place to ensure a safe and secure environment. For example, safety gates, socket This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 covers and cupboard locks are all in place. Documentation is suitably organised and readily available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice and seeks parents' views which enables her to make improvements. As yet, she is not fully using systems such as self- evaluation forms to help her identify and target areas for development. She has successfully met the recommendations made at the last inspection and these have improved the outcomes for children. For example, she has improved children's safety by practicing and recording regular fire drills. Some training, including first aid, safeguarding and equality and diversity has been completed to update her knowledge and practice. Children develop a sense of belonging within the childminder's home, which is warm and welcoming. They have built good relationships with the childminder and are respected as individuals. The childminder has a varied range of toys and equipment which are in good condition and easily accessible to children. The childminder is a positive role model and

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the early years provision

treats all children with equal care and concern. However, resources which reflect our diverse society to help raise children's awareness and appreciation of the world in which they live are limited.

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the early years provision

The childminder values the positive partnerships she has with parents. Written information detailing their child's day is given to parents. She also makes sure she has time to chat and share information verbally. Partnerships with others contribute significantly in supporting individual children to promote children's well- being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder clearly enjoys being with children and endeavours to provide a homely, caring environment for them. Their welfare, learning and development are satisfactorily promoted at the setting through a varied range of activities. The childminder records some observations of the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, these are not completed frequently enough so that she can use the information to adapt planning to provide different learning opportunities for individual children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides good support to children to help them learn about the importance of sharing. They play alongside each other reasonably well and occasionally show good concentration skills, for example as they play with a favourite potato shaped plastic toy. Children are confident and settled and very much 'at home'. They are relaxed around the childminder and approach her with affection. Children are out regularly in the community. They attend several groups, go for walks in the local area and also enjoy visiting the quayside where they look at the bridges and boats on the Tyne. They enjoy being outdoors and are developing a positive attitude to exercise. They engage in creative activities both at childminder's home and when at groups. Access to materials, such as, paint, sand, jelly and shaving foam promotes children's creativity and sensory development. Children's fine motor skills are developing well. They use tools, such

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and outcomes for children

as, pencils, crayons, paintbrushes and cutlery with increasing skill and control. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder's home is clean and well maintained, and good hygiene measures are in place to help children stay healthy; for example, children have individual towels and use anti-bacterial soap for hand washing. Healthy meals are provided and made with fresh produce where possible. In addition, the children enjoy fresh fruit for snacks. Children get plenty of fresh air, going out in the local community and playing in the outdoor area. The childminder models good practice such as how to cross roads safety so that children learn about safe practice. She practises the emergency evacuation procedures regularly when children are present so that she is confident that she can evacuate the provision quickly and safely. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 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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