Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406853 Inspection date 30/11/2011 Inspector Lynne Pope

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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 2010. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their children aged eight, seven and three years. They live in the residential area of Jarrow in South Tyneside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two dogs and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder she is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. Currently, there are three children that attend in this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder cares for children Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 7.30pm, for 48 weeks of the year. She escorts children to and from the local school. She attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 childminders thorough knowledge of each child's individual needs and abilities ensures that children's welfare and learning are promoted with success. Effective policies and procedures are followed and safety is maintained and most of the risk assessments are clearly recorded. She has made good progress to develop her service since registration and demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She works very well with parents in order to meet children's individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include the date that the assessment of risks for all outings and trips was carried out  make effective use of observation of children to assess the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder works well alongside her husband, who is also registered, to produce written, comprehensive, policies and procedures to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. She is suitably trained to recognise that children may be at risk of harm and to liaise with appropriate agencies. Detailed risk assessments have been carried out for the home, garden, outings and toys. However, not all the risk assessments of outings have the date recorded to show when it was conducted or reviewed. The childminder actively supports children in their learning and development and has created a very stimulating, appropriate learning environment, so that children participate in purposeful play and exploration. Posters and photographs decorate the walls and resources are stored at child height, in well-labelled boxes, so that children can make their own choices, which helps to develop their independence. Outdoors,

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the early years provision

they access a well equipped play area and converted sheds that serve as a theatre and activity room. Resources are well maintained and checked on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a strong commitment to improving her knowledge of good quality childcare. She has attended training on safeguarding and food hygiene. She is currently studying a Level 3 childcare qualification online to improve her understanding further. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to appraise her service and continually evaluates the activities that children take part in, to help to plan in the future. Although no children currently attend with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the childminder demonstrates through discussion, an understanding of how she would fully integrate them into her provision. Children with English as an additional language use their home language in their play and begin to understand English.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion. She works closely with parents from the start to, ensure that she is aware of and able to support children's individual needs. They are kept regularly updated on their child's time at the provision through a daily diary and discussion when they collect their child. They are able to add their own comments to the dairy about what they have done with children at home. The child's records are available for parents to look at, at any time, which, along with the daily diary, helps them to support and extend their child's learning at home. Parents left comments for the inspection stating that they are very positive about the standard of care and learning that their child receives.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well aware of children's likes, dislikes and current stage of development through the sensitive settling in procedure. This information helps the childminder to provide an individualised service and have realistic expectations of the children. Planning effectively, supports children in their learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage which she incorporates well into her everyday practice. Learning activities are planned for the individual child and are observed and evaluated in a development record. Spontaneous observations are also noted and the next step is recorded for the child's development, which is used for future planning. However, there is no method to track how children are progressing overall against the Early Learning Goals, to help identify if any areas have been overlooked.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe and secure as they settle quickly when left by parents. They have a strong exploratory impulse as they explore the easily accessible resources. The childminder helps them to develop social skills as they are encouraged to share resources. Children enjoy the music that is playing in the background as they become vocal joining in with the sounds. They become excited as they look at a book pointing to the pictures and showing the childminder. An awareness of numbers develops as they are used in everyday play. For example, the childminder counts how many blocks she uses to build a tower with them. Children show an interest in toys with buttons and simple mechanisms as they discover how they work. For example, they press the buttons on the electronic toy to make the lights flash and music play. Activities, such as, planting out in the garden help them to understand how things grow. The spacious home enables

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and outcomes for children

children to gain increasing mobility as they move to connect with the toys and the childminder. Children respond to rhythm and music as they gain control of their bodies, moving spontaneously to the music playing in the background. The childminder responds to children's needs as they become tired. She puts them in a cot in the sensory room, where they are lulled to sleep by the soft colourful lights. Children create sounds as they bang or shake the musical instruments as they listen to the sounds that they make.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is effective in supporting children's good health and well-being. They enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks each day, which offer variety and choice. Their dietary needs and preferences are well known by the childminder, who ensures that these are catered for. Children become aware of the ground rules that the childminder sets for good behaviour as they respond well to her guidance. She demonstrates acceptable behaviour and has a calm and consistent manner while caring for them. There is a good range of positive images and resources that are used creatively within activities, to promote respect for diversity. For example, children have tasted different foods from various countries and done craft activities linked to different festivals. Organisation of the home enables children to take safe risks as they become mobile and they learn to stay safe through the childminders guidance. For example, evacuation of the home is

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and outcomes for children

practiced to develop their understanding of what to do in an emergency. 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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