Childminder in Newcastle upon TyneOfsted inspection, 27 Sept 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416062 Inspection date 27/09/2011 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 a residential area in the west of Newcastle upon Tyne with her eight-year-old child. The home is situated on the first floor, which is accessible by stairs. The whole of the first floor, except for the bedrooms, are used for childminding and there is an enclosed yard area for outdoor play, which is accessible by some stone steps.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of six children. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers care to one child aged over five years and she regularly cares for her niece.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and there are no pets on the premises apart from some tropical fish.

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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 looked after in a homely, child-friendly environment by a caring childminder who meets their individual needs appropriately; therefore, they are very settled and happy with her so that they make suitable progress. Children's learning and welfare is generally promoted well, although some systems are not in place or used fully to support this overall. She has built good working relationships with parents and is aware of how to work in partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, so that children's individual care is suitably promoted. She does not yet use any form of self-evaluation to identify what she does well and what needs improving, therefore, changes are not made to continually improve the quality of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and record when it was carried out and by whom; regularly review the risk assessment, at least once a year and include in the record the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 11/10/2011

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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  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered  use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review to establish what is done well and what needs to be improved  develop further the observation, planning and assessment systems to show how children make progress throughout the six areas of learning towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a good understanding of what to do and who to contact if she has concerns about a child. The home is secure and child safety equipment is used appropriately to help minimise risks to children. However, there is no written record of risk assessment in place to show how hazards are identified, acted upon and reviewed. The childminder has a clear written policy on what to do in an emergency situation, although she has not yet practiced her evacuation procedures with the children. Therefore, they are not sufficiently helped to understand about safety in the home. The childminder has completed all required initial training, seeks help and advice where necessary and clearly enjoys her work with children. However, she has not yet embarked on a system of self-evaluation or self-reflection to identify what she does well and what needs improving, therefore, changes are not being made to continually improve

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the early years provision

the quality of the provision for the children.

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the early years provision

Children play in a warm and welcoming home. They easily access a good range of toys, equipment and creative materials and their artwork is displayed, which gives them a good sense of belonging. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or any children who attend other early years settings. However, the childminder has a basic awareness of the importance of working closely with outside agencies to support children's overall welfare and development. She treats each child as an individual, has a positive attitude to equal opportunities and provides some toys and books that promote differences, which help children to understand that everyone is not the same. The childminder displays relevant information for parents prominently within her home; she completes contracts and shares two-way written daily diaries with parents on individual children, which aids communication very well. She finds out all she can

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the early years provision

about children before they take up a placement and she informs parents of her routines so that they are well informed.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware of what children enjoy doing and what they are interested in; therefore, she plans some activities usually around the children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interests, such as decorating 'superhero' cloaks. She supports children well in their play and provides some challenges, which helps them to learn, for example during games on the computer she asks questions that make them think so that they successfully name the correct numbers or letters in a sequence. She also uses her daily diaries and a general photograph album to record and show what children can do and enjoy. However, she does not use her recording, observations and photographs of children sufficiently to show where each child is at in their development and how they make progress throughout the six areas of learning towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled with the childminder and clearly enjoy their time with her. They use their imaginations very well as they hide behind the door where the dressing-up clothes are and state that they will, 'come out as different people'. They eagerly create and decorate their 'superhero' capes using stickers and fabric pens with gusto. They manage to use electronic and battery operated equipment independently, such as the toy computer, small piano, child size guitar and microphone to make music and dance, therefore, supporting their creative development and skills for the future well. They use numbers in the correct context and are able to calculate in meaningful ways, such as when they explain that sometimes there are three people at the childminders and sometimes there are four. Although younger children enjoy playing a card game of snap with the childminder, this is not challenging enough for older children.

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and outcomes for children

Lunch times are a lovely social occasion for the children, they chat with the childminder and clearly know what is good for them; for example, older pre-school children confidently explain how they have to eat all the healthy food on their plate and can eat their treat afterwards. They correctly point out and name the healthy food and demonstrate, by showing off their muscles, how it makes them grow strong. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk or use public transport for outings, which fully promotes their overall well-being. Their behaviour is very good; they play together well and spontaneously demonstrate good manners. The childminder offers positive reinforcement to ensure that children learn acceptable boundaries, such as why they should stay at the table until everyone is finished eating. They hang their coats on their named coat pegs and separate wash bags hang in the bathroom, which aids their independence well.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safe when they are out and about as the childminder uses buggies and reins. She is well aware of children's understanding of dangers and how some children need more reminders than others. Children feel safe and secure in her care, as they have close, natural relationships with her, which fully promotes their self-esteem and confidence. 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 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: 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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