Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424458 Inspection date 23/05/2012 Inspector Anthea Errington

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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 2011 and lives with her two children aged 15 and 12 years old in a residential area in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The rooms used are on the ground floor and the bathroom is upstairs. There is an enclosed rear yard for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age group and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. She also cares for children aged over eight years. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder cares for children on weekdays throughout the year.

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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 has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Systems for regular observation and assessment of children are in place, which she skilfully links to the areas of learning to support her in planning for their next steps. She provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are valued and respected and their welfare and learning needs are well met. In addition, she works hard to keep parents fully informed and to encourage their contribution to children's development records. The required documentation is in place, including written policies and procedures. She has begun to reflect on her practice and recognises the need for continuous improvement to ensure overall outcomes for children are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures for parents to be able to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their learning and development  develop systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an effective and straightforward written policy outlining the steps she would take, should she have concerns regarding a child in her care. Thorough risk assessments are in place for all aspects of her care, as well as a record of visitors, which reduces the risk to children. There are well-maintained systems in place to record attendance, as well as the effective recording systems for medication administration and accidents. The childminder has completed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate first aid training. This enables her to care appropriately for children should they become ill or in the event of any accidents. In addition, regular fire evacuations are practised and detailed records are kept.

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the early years provision

Documentation is very well organised, readily available for inspection and stored securely to protect confidentiality. All essential records and well-written policies are in place, which parents sign when read. The childminder fully recognises the importance of continuous improvement and has begun to evaluate her practice. For example, she recognises that use of the toy library will provide children with a wider range of resources and she has identified relevant training to further develop her knowledge and skills. The childminder makes very good use of her space and resources and children are provided with good opportunities to enjoy and develop their independence. For example, they confidently select from the toy storage crates, which are all accessible to them. She displays a positive view towards equality and diversity and works hard to ensure that she provides an enabling and inclusive environment for all.

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the early years provision

The partnerships with parents are good. The childminder shares information with them daily through discussion and completion of documents. For example, informative learning journals, as well as daily diaries, help to keep parents fully informed of their children's progress. Systems to encourage their contribution to children's development records are still in their infancy. In addition, parents have access to all relevant policies and procedures and contracts set out clearly the expectations of both parties. There are currently no children in the early years age group who attend other settings. However, the childminder is fully aware of the importance of sharing and exchanging pertinent information to ensure children's progress in learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children in her care very well and confidently describes their needs and stages of development. She bases her planning predominantly on children's interests and daily routines and encourages them to make their own independent choices. They are provided with a wealth of resources to enable them to make very good progress across all areas of learning. They display extremely warm and close relationships with the childminder, which results in them fully enjoying their time spent with her. Effective use is made of observations and assessments, which the childminder skilfully uses to plan the next steps in children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming confident communicators and clearly make their requests known to the childminder, who responds to them with warmth and encouragement. She uses purposeful questions and constantly converses with them, repeating familiar words and phrases to support their speech and language skills further. They thoroughly enjoy sharing books with her as she skilfully engages with them. Children explore the various textures in the 'touch and feel books' and display great amusement in the interactive books. They smile and clap This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their hands as they listen to the music played, as well as recognising familiar characters. Children make very good progress in their problem solving and numeracy skills and concentrate hard as they play with the various resources, including shape sorters, puzzles and stacking cubes. They are becoming aware of

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and outcomes for children

shape and measure as they skilfully post the various shapes through the holes. Children clearly enjoy exploring and investigating and are fascinated as they peer into the mirror. They smile at their own reflections, as well as identifying what they see is behind them. For example, they quickly turn around, smiling at their own achievement. Children are very active learners and thoroughly enjoy playing with programmable toys, which introduces them to information and communication technology. They skilfully roll the balls on the interactive toy, which then provides them with music, as well as displaying a sequence of lights. Children are provided with good opportunities to develop their social skills as the childminder regularly visits places of interest to them. They visit local parks, a local sensory centre and many music sessions, which also gives them opportunities to develop their creativity. Children are beginning to gain an understanding of the wider world as

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and outcomes for children

they access many resources, as well as beginning to celebrate cultural festivals. For example, they thoroughly enjoy their new skill of hand painting, to paint eggs for their Easter baskets.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is fully committed and takes all reasonable steps to ensure the children's welfare needs are met. They are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, which fully comply with their dietary requirements and they have access to regular drinks. They enthusiastically move around the premises and visit local soft play centres and parks. This provides them with many opportunities to be physically active, as well as gaining increasing control of their bodies. Children respond positively towards the childminder, who has realistic expectations in accordance with children's ages and stages of development. She responds to children with patience and purposeful care and is a very good role model for them. 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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