Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 501571 Inspection date 28/07/2011 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 August 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 years and nine years old in the residential area of Marden in North Shields. The whole of the ground floor, the front bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property available for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has three pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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. There are currently three children attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered to care for two children overnight aged from two years to under eight years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and her local childminding network group.

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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's individuality and interests are respected and nurtured by the childminder which ensures they are valued and fully included. The childminder has a successful and natural rapport with children and provides a wide range of activities which cover all areas of learning. This enables children to make good progress in their learning and development. Systems for observations and assessments are effective and the childminder has mostly effective procedures to work with parents and other agencies. There are effective procedures to evaluate the care and education provided including most of the required documentation which ensures that continual improvements are made.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain from parents information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility. (Safeguarding and welfare) 11/08/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 involve parents more as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process and for them to contribute to their child's learning and development record. 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 fully safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities while protecting children in her care. This includes her duty to record and report any concerns and to share her written child protection policy with parents on admission to the setting. She has also updated her knowledge and understanding in this area by completing training which further supports her role. Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children. A wide range of safety precautions are in place within her home and daily checks and written risk assessments ensure that potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised indoors, outdoors and for all outings. Most documentation required to promote the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. However, the childminder has not obtained information in relation to parental responsibility and

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the early years provision

who has legal contact for each child on roll. This is a specific legal requirement.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is effectively promoted. For example, children are encouraged to try out the full range of available activities and play equipment. A good range of resources are available which depict positive images of diversity for example, dolls, books and small world toys. This is extended into activity planning to enable children to fully explore differences in a diverse society. The childminder has a range of written policies in place which she shares with parents. She is very caring, providing plenty of individual support, which is reflected in children's happiness, confidence and strong sense of belonging. Space within the childminder's home is well organised to provide children with a very homely welcoming environment where they can learn, relax and have fun. A varied range of very good quality resources are available to children and these are stored at a low level enabling children to make independent choices. The childminder is taking

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the early years provision

appropriate steps to ensure her provision and environment is sustainable. Children regularly re-cycle materials to make models and she exchanges resources with other early years provisions in her locality. Systems for self-evaluation are effective with the childminder being able to identify her strengths and weaknesses well. She is passionate about the children in her care and gains feedback from parents and her local childminding network group, to give her an optimal view of the service she provides. The childminder shows a commitment to improving her provision and her childcare practice by attending regular training and has fully addressed the recommendation from her last inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that parents are informed about her setting as they receive copies of all relevant policies and procedures. She implements appropriate systems for the exchange of verbal information about the children's learning and care. However, parents as yet, are not actively encouraged to contribute to their child's learning and development record to assist planning for their ongoing development. Parent's comment positively on the service they receive, they report, 'The childminder has been an inspiration to us' and 'The children are very well cared for.' No children attend any other settings; however, the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrates a positive attitude and is working effectively with other organisations to ensure that children's individual needs are met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and confident in familiar surroundings, as the childminder is sensitive to their needs and interests. The childminder has formed loving relationships with children and they interact positively with adults. She offers clear praise consistently and this encourages children's positive behaviour. As a result, children are at ease in the setting. The childminder plans key activities for the children regularly which follow their interests and takes her lead from them, as to what they want to play with. Flexible plans are in place to ensure that children receive a balance of adult-led and child-led activities delivered through indoor and outdoor play. Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder gathers a good level of information from parents from the start to ascertain what they can already do. Observations of each child's achievements and next steps, through written notes, are gathered which forms the

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and outcomes for children

A wide selection of books is available for children to enjoy and this is complimented with trips to the local library. Children explore early mark making with paint and chalks. They gain an awareness of shape and their problem solving and reasoning skills are nurtured, as they explore different shape sorting, matching and sequencing activities. Children's understanding of the living world is promoted when they visit the beach and when nurturing plants and seeds in the outdoor area. They love to dig for worms and explore creatures, such as frogs and ladybirds. Children use information and communication technology to support their learning, for example, when they use interactive resources that have lights and sound and the lap top computer, which helps them to develop skills for the future. The childminder takes children on lots of interesting outings, for example, the local quayside and boating lake. Children learn about their local community as they take

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and outcomes for children

bus rides and follow up this activity by using their imagination to make 'bus tickets'. Children have many opportunities to explore their creativity when they attend the local groups and take part in activities, such as music and movement and sensory and messy play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip, road safety activities and regular fire drill practices. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. Children are cared for in a comfortable environment, where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. This is further promoted through appropriate discussions, for instance, when children are washing their hands before eating. They do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. Children's well-being is enhanced through effectively planned opportunities for large physical play, either outdoors or with visits to local amenities, including lots of nature walks and 'soft play' activities. Children are encouraged to enjoy healthy snacks, including fresh fruit and meals are varied and

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nutritious. Their understanding of healthy eating is further promoted as they help prepare the food and explore healthy eating activities. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children's well-being. 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 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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