Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY349407 Inspection date 10/02/2011 Inspector Julie Morrison

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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years old, in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. She has a pet rabbit. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs rear bedroom of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm for 48 weeks of the year.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This home-style provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding four children of which three are in the early years age range. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's genuine commitment to supporting the individual needs of all children in her care. She provides an inclusive and welcoming environment, where she works closely with parents to gather information in order to effectively meet children's individual needs. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a wide variety of experiences which cover most areas of learning well. The childminder is aware of her areas for development. However, she has not ensured that her first aid certificate is up-to-date. This is a breach of the legal requirements and does not safeguard children or ensure continuous improvement.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

p.4

further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

p.4

further?

 ensure that a current paediatric first aid certificate is in place. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 30/04/2011

p.4

further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide resources and activities to help children to begin to know about other people's cultures, beliefs and diversity.  develop systems to ensure that identified next steps are consistently used to inform future planning.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. This is supported by a clear written child protection policy. Most of the required records to support the effective management of the setting are in place, including children's details and consent to obtain emergency medical treatment. However, the childminder's first aid certificate has expired. This does not safeguard children and does not meet the legal requirements. Children are kept safe within the home and on outings, as the childminder has completed and recorded risk assessments. This is combined with close supervision of children at all times and appropriate safety procedures, such as using stair-gates and keeping external doors locked.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her areas for improvement and has addressed all of the recommendations raised at the previous inspection. However, systems to monitor and evaluate are not sufficiently robust to ensure that all of the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are being met. This does not support a culture of continuous improvement or promote outcomes for children. Resources are well deployed in the dedicated and welcoming children's play room. Colourful posters and examples of the children's work helps children to feel that their work has been valued which promotes their self-esteem. Children have easy access to a wide range of age-appropriate resources, this enables them to make choices about their learning and play. The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality and diversity. She knows the children well and demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. For example, working closely

p.5

the early years provision

with parents and other professionals to meet and support children's individual needs. Planned activities such as celebrating the Chinese New Year helps older children to begin to learn about other cultures. However, resources to further raise young children's awareness of other cultures and diversity are limited.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder works closely with parents from the start to ensure that all children are included. They receive copies of all relevant policies and procedures and important information, such as, the childminder's certificate of registration and public liability insurance are clearly displayed. This ensures that parents are well informed about the service she provides. Daily diaries, verbal feedback and access to children's individual learning files helps parents to keep up-to-date about their child's learning and care. This two-way sharing of information provides parents with good opportunities to be involved in their child's learning. Consequently, feedback from parents is very positive about the care and learning she provides for all children. No children currently attend any other provisions. However, the childminder is positive about working with others to ensure continuity for those who attend more than one

p.5

the early years provision

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

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning well. She is very involved in their play and she promotes their language and thinking skills well as she chats constantly to them and encourages them to repeat words. She clearly knows the children well and is aware of their next steps in development. This is combined with a wide range of activities that promotes learning across most areas. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is committed to developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has introduced individual observations of the children. These are linked to the areas of learning and have identified children's next steps in development. However, although the childminder has recently introduced individual plans for each child, procedures to show how identified next steps are to inform these are not sufficiently robust.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have a good attitude towards learning at the childminder's. They move around the space independently and make confident choices about their learning and play. A wide range of programmable toys and resources such as toy phones, help children to begin to develop skills for the future. They have good opportunities to problem solve and develop counting skills. For example, the childminder counts and names shapes as they play with shape sorters and encourages them to match colours as they try to throw balls into matching coloured boxes. Such activities also help to develop children's hand-to-eye coordination. Children clearly enjoy books. They sit attentively on the childminder's knee as she reads stories to them and talks about the pictures. Their basic handwriting and creative skills are developed through access to pencils and paper and planned activities such as exploring gloop, dried pasta and painting. Planned

p.6

and outcomes for children

activities, such as nature walks to search for minibeasts, helps children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. Their knowledge about personal safety is successfully encouraged by planned activities such as practicing fire drills and road safety sessions. Good procedures are in place to support their good health. They go for regular walks, play in the garden or set up obstacle courses in the childminder's home. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing healthy and balanced meals. She makes good use of planned activities such as teddy bears picnics to encourage children to make healthy choices about what they eat. The childminder uses a positive and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. She makes good use of distraction and provides lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to promote children's self-esteem. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 4 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 4 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

p.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 30/04/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 30/04/2011

p.8