Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY221755 Inspection date 07/02/2011 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 2002. She lives with her partner in the residential area of North Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three 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 three children in this age group. The childminder cares for children on a part-time basis for 52 weeks of the year.

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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

Children are happy, contented and settled in the childminder's care and most of the routines and procedures she uses ensure that they remain safe. The childminder shows a strong commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all of the children attending. Most of the required documentation and paperwork is in place, and space is used well in the premises. The childminder has a satisfactory capacity to improve, she is beginning to evaluate her practice to see how she can improve the outcomes for children but this is currently in its infancy.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 21/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for self-evaluation, by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form, for example, to identify and improve outcomes for children  analyse observations to help plan 'what next' for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a sound understanding of safeguarding. She does visual checks on the premises each day to ensure that risks to children are sufficiently minimised. Although she has a written policy for risk assessment she does not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintain a written record of them. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. All persons living on the premises have been appropriately checked to ensure they are safe and suitable and do not pose a risk to children. Children's safety around the home is a priority for the childminder. The childminder shows a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. She knows about the signs of abuse and has a clear procedure to inform the relevant agencies of any concerns she has. Resources are well used in the setting. The childminder sets up equipment and toys for the children attending depending on their interests and stages of

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the early years provision

development. She rotates these during the sessions to ensure children remain interested in their play, and listens to requests by the older children to play with other toys. The childminder successfully promotes equal opportunities in her setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the recommendations from her previous inspection. She has obtained and uses documentation about safeguarding, and provides a balanced range of toys and equipment for all of the children who attend. The childminder finds it difficult to explain what other improvements she has made in her setting since the previous inspection. However, she has started to make observations on the children to look at their individual development needs. She has begun to consider how to evaluate. This focuses around how she works in partnership with the parents which she already does very well, but lacks a focus on how she will make improvements that will benefit the welfare and education of the children. The childminder has completed a first aid course and a briefing session on the Early years Foundation Stage since her previous inspection.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder has worked hard to build positive relationships with the parents of the children who attend her setting. She values their views and opinions and listens to their wishes, for example, by giving them detailed verbal feedback when they collect their children, and giving them regular opportunities to contribute to the observations she completes on their children. The childminder is beginning to work with others who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children she cares for. She collects information about the plans children follow at nursery to ensure she can plan activities that extend children's learning in her own setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled in the childminder's care. They display a strong sense of belonging due to the positive relationships the childminder has developed with them. They confidently move around the areas making choices and decisions about what they want to do. Children choose toys they want to explore from a good range of toys and equipment. The childminder consistently supports them in their learning and development. She values younger children's emerging language skills by repeating words to them, and encourages them to take an interest in the environment around them as she holds them up at the window to see what is happening outdoors. The childminder knows the children she cares for well. She completes regular observations to ensure she knows what children can do. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, these are not always consistently monitored to plan the next steps in

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and outcomes for children

children's development. The childminder attends groups in the local community that she knows the children will enjoy. Weekly trips to several toddler groups and soft play sessions provide opportunities for children to participate in various activities and gives them time to socialise with different children. The childminder provides a range of activities and experiences that she knows children will enjoy. She patiently allows younger children to explore their environment and supports them well to develop problem solving skills, for example, by encouraging young children to post shapes into the sorter.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a range of healthy snacks for the children. She offers them rice cakes and ensures that she follows the younger children's feeding routines to ensure these are consistent. Children bring their own foods to the setting. The childminder talks to parents about the importance of healthy foods at initial visits. She collects information from parents about children's individual dietary needs to ensure she is able to provide appropriate snacks and drinks for them. The childminder follows a satisfactory illness policy. She limits cross- infection and safeguards children's health by ensuring that they do not attend in certain circumstances, for example, if they have a contagious illness. Personal hygiene is adequately promoted by the childminder. This results in children learning why they need to wash their hands at particular times during the session. The childminder constantly supervises the children in her care. She notices risks in

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and outcomes for children

the environment, such as too many toys on the floor, and moves these away to ensure that younger children can practice walking on the rug. The childminder talks to the older children about safety indoors and outside. She teaches them about basic road safety which contributes to their understanding of how to remain safe in their environment. The childminder shows a sufficient understanding of behaviour management. She provides praise for younger children's achievements which contributes towards raising their self-esteem. The childminder plans activities that help children to learn about diversity. They decorate lanterns and make puppets at Chinese New Year. 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 3 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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