Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356411 Inspection date 03/05/2012 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 2007. She lives with her partner in South Shields. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attend on a full- and 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 has a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 childminder provides a warm and caring environment which is welcoming to all children and their families. Children enjoy their time, both indoors and outdoors, and make good progress towards the early learning goals. Overall, observations are mostly used effectively to inform practice. Good relationships with parents ensure that each child's needs are met. Most records are maintained well. The childminder evaluates her practice well and is committed and enthusiastic about continuous improvement.

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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  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all outings and trips.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected as the childminder has good knowledge of the signs and indicators of possible abuse. She has completed recent safeguarding training and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child. Clear policies, procedures and record keeping systems ensure children are kept safe, protected and well supported. Risk assessments for the home and outdoor area are thorough and include daily checks. However, although the childminder clearly conducts risk assessments for outings these are not in writing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for all trips out. All necessary safety equipment is in place to protect children, such as working smoke alarms, socket covers and safety gates. Records, such as those of accidents, medication and attendance are in place.

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the early years provision

Play materials are plentiful and easily accessible. These include resources, such as books and dolls to help children to learn about the diverse world in which they live. The childminder understands the value of working alongside other agencies and parents to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder is motivated and keen to improve her service. For example, she has positively addressed the recommendations from her last inspection and also completed a level 3 childcare course. This, along with her reflective self-evaluation, demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She also receives useful support from the local authority and has good links with other childminders to share ideas and good practice. Consequently she meets the needs of the children extremely well.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good, this helps children settle quickly and easily into the setting. They work closely together and information is consistently shared regarding their children's progress and development. For example, the childminder encourages parents to send emails of significant events at home so she can build on this learning. Parents written comments in the many thank-you cards and letters are very positive about the care children receive. Currently no children attend any other settings. However, the childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children receive continuity in their care.

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and outcomes for children

Children obviously have a good relationship with the childminder and approach her freely and confidently. Individual files for each of the children have been developed. These include photographs and some written observations, which the childminder continues to develop with support from the local authority workers. These are mostly linked to the areas of learning, however the next steps in all children's learning are not always clearly highlighted. Overall, the childminder uses these to inform her planning to cover most areas of learning and takes good account of children's interests. Children's understanding of difference and the wider world is effectively encouraged through activities, such as trying different foods to celebrate Chinese New Year and raising their awareness of the similarities and differences of each other.

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and outcomes for children

Babies and young children enjoy being creative with different materials, such as paint, playdough and glue. They receive good opportunities to develop their social skills as they mix with their peers at the various toddler groups and library sessions they attend. Children dance and sing enthusiastically at a music and movement group. They are developing good imagination skills as they make cakes. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement as she sits on the floor with them, involving herself in their play. They are beginning to develop their concentration skills as they post items into the shapes sorter and dress the toy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mouse in various costumes. They thoroughly enjoy learning about change as they grow their own strawberries and plant cress seeds in their decorated yogurt pots. Good use is made of everyday opportunities to develop children's counting skills,

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and outcomes for children

such as counting the number of bowls and strawberries at snack time. Children take part in a range of interesting outings to places such as parks, green spaces and museums. They are developing good physical skills as they confidently demonstrate how to jump and thoroughly enjoy walks in the local environment to feed the horses and ducks.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to rest and sleep according to home routines, with the childminder instantly recognising when they become tired. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment, where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care, as the childminder implements consistent routines. For example, children know to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before meals and snacks. They tell adults that they 'scrub, scrub'. A clear sick child policy helps to further reduce the risk of cross-infection and ensures children are cared for appropriately when ill. Healthy meals and snacks are provided by the childminder, along with activities and simple discussions to promote children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating. Children are developing an appreciation of keeping themselves safe. For example, they know to hold onto the buggy or walk on the inside of the

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and outcomes for children

pavement when on trips out. 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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