Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23/01/2013 21/09/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and stimulating learning environment which enables children to show high levels of curiosity and make independent choices.  Children's learning and development is effectively promoted as the childminder plans activities based on children's interests.  The childminder places a sharp focus on helping children to acquire communication and language skills, and on supporting their physical, personal, social and emotional development. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning from their starting points.  The childminder promotes children's self-esteem and confidence through her consistent use of praise and encouragement.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is room to strengthen partnerships with local schools so that there is an increased sharing of information about children's learning and a more consistent and complimentary approach to the support children receive.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities and the areas of the home that they have access to.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's observations and a selection of written policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her two children aged one and eight years in a house in Felling, Gateshead. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local school. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 reflect on and develop ways to strengthening the relationships with local schools so that there is a more effective method for sharing knowledge and understanding about children's learning and development and times of transition are eased.

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who attend

The childminder provides a wide range of activities and experiences for the children in her care. She has good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this effectively when planning activities for children's individual needs and interests. Children develop curiosity and use their senses to explore the world around them as the childminder encourages them to explore and discover new things. She plays alongside them on the floor and praises their efforts, which helps develop their confidence and self- esteem. The childminder provides stimulating resources which are accessible and open- ended so that they can be used, moved and combined in a variety of ways. As a result, children thoroughly enjoy representing their experiences in play. For example, the childminder extended children's interest in robots by providing large cardboard boxes to enable them to make one of their own.

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who attend

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home and, as a result, they make good progress. Very young babies enjoy lying on the activity mat and reach out for objects placed within their reach. The childminder supports their physical development well. She places children on their tummies to enable them to lift their head and offers small toys for them to hold independently. Early language skills are encouraged as the childminder responds to babies' sounds and babbling by copying sounds in a turn-taking 'conversation'. The childminder makes good use of local children centre activities to learn new counting songs and rhymes. This enables children to develop an awareness of number. Older children enjoy developing their literacy skills as they spend time writing and drawing. They explore the garden area and talk about features in their environment when they play with snow and ask questions about the ice melting.

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who attend

The childminder meets children's learning and development needs through the type of play she provides. She carries out regular observations of children's activities which she records in individual files. These are supported by photographs as evidence of what children are achieving. This information is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage and the childminder confidently reports and talks about how next steps in learning will be achieved. The childminder regularly shares this information with parents and provides a daily written summary. This ensures parents are kept well informed about their children's progress.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming home for children. She is very sensitive to their individual needs, for example, providing cuddles and verbal reassurance when they are tired or unwell. Children show how content and settled they are when they fall asleep. There is good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources which are readily available and easily accessible in the living room. The outdoor area is equally well- resourced and provides opportunities for children to enhance their learning and development and experience the weather first hand. For example, children thoroughly enjoy the freshly fallen snow when they return from their day in school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides clear guidance for children about what is acceptable behaviour. She informs children about the rules within her home and encourages children to resolve their own conflict. She ensures older children have their space and privacy respected when they choose to read quietly or draw pictures on their own. As a result, the childminder describes how well children behave, can take turns and share equipment well. The childminder carries out ongoing risk assessments within the home to ensure hazards are reduced. She regularly tidies away toys to provide a safe play space for young children. The childminder's home is safe and secure and all doors and stair gates are locked. Children are equally well protected when they go on visits with the childminder. Previous recommendations have been effectively addressed to ensure risk assessments are extended to cover outings.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides children with fresh, healthy and nutritious food and ensures drinking water is available at all times. Very young children are introduced to new tastes and textures as they are weaned; the childminder works alongside parents to ensure dietary needs are well met. Children develop an understanding of the need for physical exercise when they make regular visits to the park and use other facilities in the local community.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. She has attended training and is aware of the need to keep her knowledge up-to-date. Children's safety is further protected as the childminder has clear policies and procedures in place, including children's details and consent to obtain emergency medical treatment.

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provision

The childminder has a clear self-evaluation process, which is regularly reviewed so that she is well aware of the strengths of her practice. She talks confidently about what is working well, is committed to further developing the service she provides and has identified priorities for improvements that will support children's learning and development further. For example, she is developing a planting area in her garden to help children explore and consider nature and how things grow. The childminder gathers the views of parents and uses children's interest, thoughts and ideas to inform her practice and plan improvements. This helps to ensure there is a strong drive for making changes that are targeted at raising children's levels of achievement.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are well-established and make a strong contribution to meeting children's individual needs. The childminder has a selection of thank you cards from parents which demonstrate how satisfied they are with the service she provides. Children show their appreciation when they make their own cards and draw pictures for the childminder. There are clear links with the local school and the childminder has been proactive in her approach to sharing information with school teachers. However, there is room to strengthen these partnerships so that there is a more effective shared knowledge about children that will support continuity in their learning and achievements and help to ease the move onto full time education. The childminder has good links with the local children's centre and attends toddler groups. She is keen to build relationships with other childminders in her area to enhance her knowledge and skills and develop her service

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY379780 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 821515 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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