Childminder in Newcastle upon TyneOfsted inspection, 25 Jul 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY419268 Inspection date 25/07/2011 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 January 2011. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and children aged four and two years old. The home is situated in a residential area close to the local schools and shops. The ground floor of the home, which includes a toilet, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden and patio area for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of four children. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and there are two pet dogs on the premises.

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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 developing their confidence and feeling of safety and security in the setting as they settle in. The childminder has started using the principles within the Early Years Foundation Stage in practice, although does not yet fully plan and provide experiences that follow children's interests; however, systems are in place, which enable her to track their progress in a broad way. Most welfare requirements are met and she provides a safe home so that children are sufficiently protected from harm. Relationships with parents are developing and she is aware of how to work with other professionals as necessary to promote children's care, learning and welfare. She is currently embedding her practice as a new childminder, therefore has not yet used any form of self-evaluation or reflective practice systems to help her establish what she does well and what she would like to develop further to enhance the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents are aware of the complaints procedure and details for contacting Ofsted (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 08/08/2011

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further?

 ensure that the records of risk assessments contain the date when they were carried out and by whom (Documentation). 08/08/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop and improve the observation and assessment systems in order to plan and provide experiences that build on children's interests, which will help them to make progress towards the early learning goals  ensure that children are helped to follow good hygiene practices before eating.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding children. She has completed safeguarding training, understands how to deal with any issues and knows who to contact should she have concerns over a child's welfare. Child safety equipment is used appropriately, such as safety gates and a fireguard and the pet dogs are held in a secure area in the garden whilst children play. Written risk assessments are in place, which identify potential hazards in the home, garden and on outings. However, these do not contain details on when they were carried out or by whom. Some good written policies are in place and shared effectively with parents, although the childminder has not covered or discussed her complaints procedure or given parents any information on how to contact Ofsted should they wish. The childminder has not yet used any form of self-evaluation or reflective practice system to help her establish what she does well and what she

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the early years provision

would like to develop further as she is currently embedding her practice. However, she has some plans for the future to help improve the outcomes for children; for example, she has recently identified an area in her garden for the children to dig, plant and grow things and she has thought about how she will improve communication between parents and other providers when children start nursery by devising a written diary system.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources that are easily accessible so that they make free choices about what they would like to play with. However, toys are generally mixed together and stored in boxes and trays which are not set out in a way which fully promotes children's curiosity, learning and development. Children are comfortable within the environment as they curl up on the chair when they need some quiet time or they enjoy playing outside in the fresh air. The childminder follows an equal opportunities policy which is shared with parents, this indicates that she would not discriminate against any child or family and all are welcome into her setting. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or children with English as a second language, nor are there any children on roll who also attend other early years settings. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of working

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the early years provision

closely with other professionals, as necessary to support children's welfare and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers good information from parents such as extended family names, what children can do, what they like or do not like and what may upset them, so that she has a good insight into children's needs when taking on a placement. She is developing her relationships with parents and ensures that she chats to them when their children are dropped off or collected, so that two way This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information is appropriately exchanged.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is currently embedding her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and has begun to use this in practice appropriately. However, the systems she uses are quite broad to record children's development and what they do and they currently do not build on children's interests fully. She has printed off pictures of children's favourite television characters for them to colour in, which shows that she is aware of what they like. The childminder has yet to find a suitable system that helps her to use the observations that she carries out on children, in order to fully plan and provide experiences that will help them make progress towards the early learning goals. Some basic planned activities take place, such as baking and children go on some outings; for example, to the library, on nature walks to feed the horses and they attend toddler groups, which ensures that children receive different experiences

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and outcomes for children

outside of the home to enhance their overall development.

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and outcomes for children

As children have only been attending for a short time, they are developing their confidence and feeling of security in the setting. For example, they seek out the childminder if they are unsure about something and need reassurance. They approach her easily, such as when they want their hands dried because they are wet from the sand or the grass. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs and gives them sufficient attention as she gradually builds positive relationships with them. Children clearly enjoy being outside in the fresh air. They become more confident and animated as they run around happily in the spacious garden, balance along the low level mound or competently climb up the slide and come down in different ways, using their physical skills well. They also enjoy being pushed on the swing by the childminder. Children are given regular drinks and snacks, which sometimes includes fruit but also biscuits, however they are not

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and outcomes for children

helped or reminded to clean their hands before eating and after playing outside, which could compromise their well-being. The childminder works with her own children and minded children to ensure that they all learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns and they are reminded to use good manners, which helps them to make a positive contribution and understand acceptable behaviour. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 08/08/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make the following information available to parents, copies of the written statement of complaint procedures (Providing information to parents)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 08/08/2011

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 08/08/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents). 08/08/2011

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