Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY438911 Inspection date 10/05/2012 Inspector Julie Morrison

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and child aged three years in Gateshead. The whole ground floor of the home and the bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently has three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder provides care on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. She attends the local parent and toddler group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. This helps her to have a good knowledge and understanding of each child's individual needs. She provides children with a wide range of activities which cover most areas of learning. This supports them in making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is beginning to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, these partnerships are not fully established. She has a good understanding of her areas for development and this helps to promote continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 provide further resources and activities to support children's awareness and understanding of diversity and different cultures and beliefs  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are kept safe in a welcoming and friendly environment. She is secure in her role regarding child protection and this is supported by a clear written policy which is shared with parents. A detailed written risk assessment is maintained for the indoor and outdoor environment, along with any outings. Children are further protected from the potential risk of accident or injury through the childminder's daily checks of all areas and close supervision at all times. All required documentation is in place and accurately maintained, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supporting the effective management of the setting.

p.4

the early years provision

Positive partnerships with parents have been established and feedback is positive about the care and learning their children receive. The childminder gathers a good range of information from parents at the start to enable her to be aware of children's routines and meet their individual needs. Information is shared effectively with parents; for example, through the two-way use of a dairy and access to children's individual learning files. This ensures that parents are kept up to date about their child's care and learning. Parents receive email copies of the childminder's policies, and complete parental consents and 'all about me' sheets. These documents ensure continuity of care and help to establish starting points in children's development. The childminder shares general information about children's care and well-being with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has not further developed her procedures to share

p.5

the early years provision

information about children's individual learning. This does not effectively support continuity of learning for children who attend more than one setting.

p.5

the early years provision

Space at the childminder's home is appropriately organised to enable children to move around freely and independently. The childminder has a good range of age- appropriate resources. These are suitably stored to support children in making independent choices about their play. Labelling of boxes to support easier access to resources has been identified as an area for further development. The childminder has effective procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice. She has begun to make use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and is committed to reflecting on her practice and working with her local early years advisors to develop her skills. This helps to support outcomes for children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Although relatively new to childminding, the childminder is developing a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has introduced individual files for the children which include photographs and observations of their learning. Identified next steps are used to ensure that planning is based on the individual needs of the children. This supports them in making good progress in their learning and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a friendly and welcoming environment for all children. This is combined with a wide range of activities which cover most areas of learning. Children begin to learn about their local community as they visit toddler groups and go on trips, for example, to the park. However, resources to develop their awareness of the wider world and diversity are currently limited. Babies' interest is encouraged through a good variety of man-made and natural resources, for example, bottles full of glitter and different coloured water. All children have good opportunities to take part in a variety of activities to support their creative development. For example, they paint, colour, glue and explore a wide range of messy play, such as shaving foam and gloop. Children learn to problem solve as they complete jigsaws and build train tracks. Counting skills are supported by the childminder as the children play, for example, counting how many cars they have.

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's language skills are developing well as the childminder offers verbal encouragement and is actively involved in their play. For example, she sits babies on her knee and they all look at books together, talking about the pictures and naming the animals. Babies are beginning to find a voice as they laugh and gurgle in response to her interaction with them. Children have suitable opportunities to develop their skills for the future through a range of appropriate resources, such as toy laptops and taking photographs using a digital camera.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder appropriately supports children's good health. For example, they go on regular walks to the park and play in the garden. She provides a range of healthy meals and snacks for children and encourages appropriate daily routines to prevent the risk of cross-infection, such as wiping hands after meals. Children have good opportunities to begin to learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they practise road safety and talk about the dangers of touching strange dogs. The childminder further supports their understanding as she encourages them to think about what might happen if they fall over. The childminder is warm and affectionate, and this helps children to develop secure relationships with her. She supports their understanding of responsible behaviour as she provides a consistent approach to behaviour management. For example, providing regular praise and encouragement and taking time to discuss with children the consequences of their

p.6

and outcomes for children

actions. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8