Childminder in South TynesideOfsted inspection, 8 Sept 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414188 Inspection date 08/09/2011 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 October 2010. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in South Shields, Tyne and Wear with her husband and children aged 10, eight and five years. The home is situated in a residential area close to local shops and school. The ground floor of the home, which includes, a downstairs bathroom and a first floor bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she holds a level 2 childcare qualification. There is a pet dog on the premises.

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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

The childminder values each child's uniqueness and provides a welcoming, friendly service to all. She has a very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, therefore, she uses this well in practice to ensure that children make good progress in their learning and development. Most areas of children's health and welfare are promoted successfully. She has very good relationships with parents and is aware of how to work in partnership with other professionals if needed. She has worked hard to provide a good service and uses development plans to review and reflect on her practice and to identify what she would like to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that good hygeine procedures are followed at all times, specifically to help young children to wash their hands before eating.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has completed up-dated safeguarding training and clearly understands her role and responsibility should she need to deal with any child protection concerns. Very good written risk assessments, daily safety checks, nappy change sheets, visitor's log, fire safety procedures and practices and clear written policies are effective. Thus, helping to promote and support children's safety and welfare further. The childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 begun to use the Ofsted self-evaluation format, although, this was not available. However, she completes a 'development planner' which is linked effectively to the outcomes for children. This shows different examples of what issues she has identified and practical ways in which she can develop and improve her service to benefit the children. She is a competent, dedicated childminder who attends

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the early years provision

regular training to ensure that she is up-to-date.

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the early years provision

The childminder rotates her toys so that children remain interested. Older pre- school children may ask for certain equipment they like and she puts out toys for younger children that she knows they are interested in. Children also use the library regularly to choose books, which encourages their language and literacy development well. All toys are good quality, age appropriate and easily accessible. The childminder is also developing her resources that show differences in a positive way to help children understand that everyone is not the same. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or any children who attend other early year's settings. However, the childminder is well aware of the importance of working closely with outside agencies and teachers to support children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive file which is shown to parents. This contains good information about her practice and a range of good written policies, such as, behaviour, health and safety and equal opportunities. She is a helpful, flexible childminder who works effectively in partnership with parents. They use a two way written daily diary, as well as regular verbal communication and parents also write comments in their children's learning journal books, which shows that parents are fully informed and that they work together well to meet the individual needs of the children. Parents positive written feedback includes, 'I really couldn't be happier, the service you provide is brilliant.'

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and uses this in practice very well, to support children's all round enjoyment and learning. She plans activities around the children's interests using individual planning sheets, which are linked to the six areas of learning. She also tracks their development using relevant guidance so that she can see the progress they make. She knows exactly what each child is interested in and what they enjoy doing, therefore, she provides activities and equipment that builds on their interests. For example, when a child loves singing and is beginning to show an interest in numbers and counting, they sing number songs and record these to play back, which reinforces learning through fun ways. Lovely learning journals are in place which show photographs and captions of what children do and demonstrate that they take part in a wealth of activities and outings that fully

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and outcomes for children

Good use of routines during children's self chosen play, helps to extend children's knowledge and understanding of simple mathematical concepts. For example, she uses spontaneous opportunities to engage children in meaningful, simple counting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 games. Children become very animated when they look at the album of photographs of themselves and other minded children. They point out objects and animals that they have seen on outings and successfully recall events, for example, they remember that they were crying when they went on the train and it made a noise. The childminder also encourages and extends their learning, such as, when they point at the photographs of the pigs and say 'lots of piggies' the childminder explains that the baby pigs are called piglets, thus, helping the children to learn and repeat new words in context. Children eagerly explore the toys and equipment

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and outcomes for children

on offer and the childminder allows them the time and space to pursue their own interests, which successfully promotes their independence, such as, when they persevere and try to fasten the high chair strap and the strap on the dolls buggy. They eagerly use pens, pencils and stampers to make marks on paper and show a keen interest in the readily available books, thus, promoting their language and literacy skills very well.

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and outcomes for children

Generally good hygiene practices are followed and children are fully involved in their own self-care tasks, such as, brushing their teeth. There is also a good display of information and images in the bathroom to remind children of the importance of this. However, on the day of the inspection the childminder did not remember to wash children's hands before eating. The childminder treats children as part of the family. Their photographs are displayed in the bathroom alongside her children's and they become highly animated and happy when they see the childminders husband. Children confidently approach familiar adults demonstrating that they feel safe, secure and self-assured in the environment. They are also fully occupied and engrossed in their play, therefore, their behaviour is good as they receive lots of attention and positive meaningful praise, which fully promotes their self-esteem. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 2 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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