Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 318941 Inspection date 27/07/2011 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 1995. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the Gosforth area of Newcastle upon Tyne. The ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children in the early years age range and five children aged over five years who attend on a part time basis. The childminder has a pet cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for by a competent, caring childminder who has an excellent knowledge of child development and therefore meets their individual needs successfully. She uses the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in practice very well so that children make good progress. She develops excellent partnerships with parents and understands how to work effectively with other providers and professionals. She reflects on her practice well by using self-evaluation, she is not complacent and continues to successfully drive improvement and develop her practice to ensure that high quality care is provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding children as she knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. Her safeguarding policy is shared with parents and her comprehensive risk assessments are reviewed regularly to ensure that children are safe in the home, garden and on outings. All adults living in the household have been vetted by Ofsted and they hold Criminal Record Bureau checks (CRBs) which further protects children. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to reflect on and review her practice and states that this has made her think about what she does well and what she could improve. She meets up regularly with other childminders in the area to take the children out and for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informal network meetings, where they share good practice or identify training needs. She is a committed, dedicated experienced childminder who keeps herself

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the early years provision

up-to-date, attends further training and regularly reviews her policies and working practices, which shows that she is pro-active and continually drives improvement to benefit the children. She has mainly addressed the two recommendations from the last inspection which has improved childrens safety. However, although she explains and discusses her emergency evacuation plan with the older children, so that they know what to do, she does not fully practice this with the children so that any problems can be recorded and addressed.

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the early years provision

Children play in a warm, welcoming home. The low level coat hooks enable them to find their own belongings and they know to take their shoes off after a walk outside. Good quality, age appropriate toys are available and some are at child height such as books on the shelf, other equipment such as child size comfy chairs are brought out when needed and children sit up at the dining room table to draw and write. The childminder is highly receptive to each childs individual needs and shares her time equally so that children settle well and feel safe and secure. She has experience of caring for children with English as a second language and attends courses to help her develop her knowledge and understanding of special educational needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent, long standing relationships with most parents as some of the older children have attended since baby hood. They are very pleased with the care offered, which is reflected in letters and thank you cards; for example, thank you for playing such an important role in our childrens lives and both our children are happy coming to you, you have been one of the most important people in their lives. An extremely good information file is shown to parents; she uses daily dairies and text messages effectively to aid communication, which ensures that parents are well informed. She understands her responsibilities with regard to working with other providers when children attend two settings. She has a transition policy in place and has clear plans for the future to ensure that she finds out about the topics and themes they will cover, so that she can provide continuity and consistency.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder states that she is out everyday with the children. They visit wildlife centres, Jesmond Dene, lakes, farms and the beach. Therefore there is always something planned for them to ensure that their all round development and enjoyment is promoted very well. She has a very good understanding of how to use the Early Years Foundation Stage in practice and an excellent knowledge of child development. Each child has a development book with lovely photographs, samples of childrens art work and captions of what they do. She also records more formalised, focused observations and planning, linked to the six areas of learning, which ensures that children move on in their learning and make very good progress. She is also well aware of what stage children are at, what they enjoy doing and what they are good at, which shows that she tracks their progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

effectively and provides activities, toys and equipment and outings that follow their interests.

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and outcomes for children

Childrens behaviour is excellent. Older children are thoughtful and considerate and young children demonstrate care and kindness to one another. The childminder is a good role model as she is calm and confident in her approach and very sensitive to childrens needs. For example, she quickly notices when they become fractious and need a change of activity or scenery. They have clearly formed strong bonds with her as they approach her easily as the familiar adult and they receive warm, spontaneous cuddles, kisses and reassurance. Children benefit from daily outings therefore they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They always walk home from school which gives children good opportunities to burn off excess energy. They follow good hygiene practices and use individual paper towels for drying hands which helps to prevent the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy being in the childminders care. They are extremely happy and contented with her as they sit on her knee and look at books that follow their interests. Toddlers make very good attempts at naming pictures that they recognise, make noises to represent sirens and when they notice a picture of a bus they spontaneously sing a familiar song. Older pre-school children concentrate extremely well as they manage to count objects correctly in the number books and they successfully complete jigsaws or enjoy drawing pictures. The childminder sings songs to the children and carries out actions with them to help them settle; they clearly enjoy this and make good attempts at joining in. Whilst out for a walk children point out things in the environment that they recognise for example they state, my daddy does golf when we pass the golf course. Toddlers become more settled and animated when they are out and about. They clearly enjoy the fresh air

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and outcomes for children

and benefit extremely well from the different experiences that the outdoors has to offer, thus promoting their all round well-being successfully. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1 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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