French, Deborah

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY234888 Inspection date 27/11/2008 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and their 17 year old child. The house is set back from the main road in Crawcrook, to the west of Gateshead. Local facilities include schools, a nursery, shops, a library, park and community centre activities. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor with the exception of the utility room. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The family has a cat and a dog. Children do not have access to the dog during minding hours.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children, three of whom are in the early years age range. She cares for children five days per week from 07.00 to 18.00. The childminder regularly attends the local toddler group and childminding drop-in group and is a qualified nursery nurse.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere enabling children's individual needs to be successfully met. She provides interesting activities and experiences to support children's individual learning requirements. Areas for improvement are highlighted as suitable systems are in place to self evaluate the childcare practice, enabling good outcomes for children. Positive links are established with parents to ensure they are kept well informed of their child's care, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue developing the use of observations for assessing young children to ascertain their achievements and to plan the next steps in their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a written risk assessment covering all areas which children may come into contact, including outings (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements which promotes positive outcomes for children. She is keen to attend additional training and development courses to further develop children's care and learning. Suitable self-evaluation systems enable improvements to be made which has a positive impact on the overall quality of the provision. For example, the childminder has successfully addressed improvements from the last inspection as children now know what to do in an emergency because they regularly practise the fire drill. Most childminding documentation is in place and a range of policies and procedures effectively inform childminding practice. Written risk assessments are not completed, therefore, the specific requirement is not met. However, the measures and procedures the childminder follows ensures children are kept safe at all times. There is a clear awareness of

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provision

promoting children's safety as good supervision is offered and procedures are in place to ensure the safe collection of children.

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provision

The childminder has undertaken recent training in safeguarding procedures and knows what action to take should she have concerns about their safety or welfare. The childminder fosters a positive partnership with parents. Verbal discussions, files of children’s art work and photographs keep them well informed about their child’s day, progress and any issues. Written references from parents demonstrate how highly they think of the childminder, the care their children receive and the good progress they are making in their learning and development. The childminder is aware of what children are learning at school so is able to complement the delivery of the early years framework to reinforce children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children participate in a varied programme of enjoyable and challenging child and adult led activities both inside and outside the home. Children are kept busy and interested in their play and learning. The childminder uses a daily diary, recorded observations and a file containing a compilation of children’s art work and photographs to assist her in monitoring children’s progress. However, she does not consistently link this information to the six areas of learning and identify the next step in children's learning to ensure children are making progress in all areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is attentive to children's needs as she supports them in their play and gives them lots of support and encouragement which boosts their self-esteem. Children access resources easily so that they gain independence, make choices and initiate their own play and learning. They have good opportunities to develop their creativity through participating in activities, such as painting and cutting and sticking. They make good efforts to cut tissue paper and put lots of glue on paper before sticking their shapes onto their Christmas tree decoration. Children show an awareness and keen interest in number. They count how many shapes they have stuck onto their decoration and count out numbers around the clock face. Younger children are starting to reason and solve problems. They happily and intently explore a musical box to find out where the music is coming from. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

well behaved and encouraged to consider others, for instance, a child helps a toddler access the of box of building blocks. They are well mannered and enjoy each other's company. The childminder helps children to become familiar with their own community through role play and outings, and also raises awareness of other cultures through discussions and resources which reflect other cultures and languages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's love of books is encouraged through access to a wide variety of suitable books which they enjoy looking at with the childminder. Children are developing good self help and independence skills. They try their best to put on the dressing up clothes only requiring minimal help and help themselves to fruit at snack time. They confidently choose what activities they want to play with and where they want to play with them. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy and safe. On outings they talk about road safety and know that they must cross the road using the pelican crossing. They regularly play in the garden, visit local parks and physical activity centres. Children enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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