Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422392 Inspection date 17/10/2011 Inspector Karen Tervit

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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 2011. She lives in Lonbenton in North Tyneside. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and rear bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range on a part-time basis.

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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

The childminder has developed close and caring relationships with children, valuing them as individuals and ensuring they are well settled. She is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and observations of children's play and learning are mostly used well to inform her practice. Most of the required documentation to promote children's welfare is in place. The childminder is keen to develop her skills. She is beginning to look at ways to evaluate her practice. Consequently, the capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement is sound.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure there is a record of risk assessments which clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 31/10/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities  improve systems of self-evaluation to clearly target actions for improving outcomes for children  develop the recording of the emergency evacuation procedure  further develop resources and activities to help children to begin to know about other people's cultures and beliefs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded. There is a clear written safeguarding policy in place. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her role and responsibility with regard to keeping children safe from harm or abuse. She is aware of signs and indicators of abuse and who she should contact if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder carefully assesses and minimises risks in her home and garden. For example, she has protected the sharp edges of her hearth with cushions and has set up a visitor's book. However, although she completes a daily ticklist, she does not keep a written record of the risk assessments she conducts. This is a breach of a requirement. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course, minimising the risks to children should they have a minor accident. The childminder has practised an emergency evacuation procedure with the children in order to raise their awareness of what to

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the early years provision

do in an emergency, however, there is no record of this.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to reflect on her strengths and weaknesses. However, this is not fully embedded in her practice. The childminder has made suitable progress since registration in most areas. For example, she has requested a copy of the local authority training directory in order to access further training to help her professional development and promote better outcomes for children. Resources are plentiful and are stored in clear plastic drawers and set out on the floor to encourage children's free choice and independence. The childminder has a positive approach to equality and diversity, and provides a welcoming environment for all children and their families. However, resources and activities which help promote children's awareness of a diverse society are limited. Currently no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attend the setting. However, the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working with

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the early years provision

parents and taking steps, where appropriate, to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting.

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the early years provision

Prior to children starting the setting the childminder discusses her policies and procedures with parents and collects some information about children's individual needs from them. Parents are kept up-to-date about the activities and care of their children through daily diaries and verbal discussion. The childminder does not currently care for any children who attend other settings. The childminder demonstrates a suitable awareness of the importance of establishing good relationships with other settings so as to promote continuity of care and learning for the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They approach her confidently and freely. The childminder talks to the children constantly as they play together. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements and plans activities which are based This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on children's individual needs and interests. Individual files for each of the children are being developed. These include some written observations and photographs. These are mostly linked to the areas of learning. However, the next steps in children's learning are not always clearly highlighted. Appropriate strategies are in place for managing behaviour, which are suitable to the children's ages, stages of development and understanding. Good behaviour is promoted at all times, with children receiving lots of praise and encouragement. Routines have been

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and outcomes for children

established in partnership with parents and are consistent with home. For example children are able to have their comforters when it is time for a rest. The childminder recognises the importance of this to help children feel secure.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder introduces early number recognition into children's everyday play as she encourages them to count how many cars and pieces of puzzles. The childminder supports communication skills well. She chats constantly to the children and introduces new words into their play. Children enjoy looking at books naming the different animals and the sounds they make. Tehy are beginning to develop their social skills as they enjoy regular outings in the local area, such as, visiting the local toddler groups and parks. They thoroughly enjoy playing with streamers of packaging paper as it blows in the wind and makes different shapes on the ground. Children are developing their physical skills as they ride the scooters and bikes and negotiate the steps on the slide. They receive suitable opportunities to be creative with materials such as paint and dough.

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and outcomes for children

Effective practices are in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection and to promote children's good health. The children learn to follow daily hygiene routines, such as regular hand-washing. They receive suitable opportunities to experience fresh air on a daily basis. Parents provide children's meals with the childminder, providing healthy snacks of fruits, such as banana and raisins. They chat together as they play with the plastic food and talk about which ones are healthy. This helps to raise their awareness of which foods are good for them. Their understanding of how to keep themselves safe is developing well. They learn about road safety on outings and walks and help to tidy up so they do not trip over toys. 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: 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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