Childminder in South Tyneside

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Janet Fairhurst, monitored your provision on 11/08/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 21/05/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. If you were set actions at the inspection, or as a result of our subsequent monitoring or investigations, these are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit, the inspector discussed with you the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She examined your daily attendance records and discussed with you the action you have taken to make sure that adult-to-child ratios are met at all times. The inspector observed you working with the children, and looked at children's observation and assessment records. She also discussed how you have improved the quality of the information gained from parents at the beginning of the placement with regard to children's starting points.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed an action plan to address the actions raised at your last inspection. You explained that to date you have not received any direct support from the local authority. However, you did confirm that the local authority sent you an invitation to attend a meeting for all providers judged inadequate, which you stated you declined. Instead, you explained that you enlisted the support of a fellow childminder and have found the support provided very beneficial. You demonstrate a clearer understanding of the adult-to-child ratios and space requirements. You showed the inspector records of children's attendance and demonstrated through these, that the numbers of children that you regularly care for, meet legal requirements. You also explained that you ask all parents to book their children in at least one week ahead. This means that on the days that children's patterns of attendance overlap, you have the time to call upon one of your assistants

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Outcome of monitoring

to ensure that required ratios and children's needs are met at all times. This helps to safeguard the children and also enables you to demonstrate that you comply with adult to child ratios.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have put systems in place to obtain information from parents about children's starting points when they enter your care. You achieve this by completing the detailed 'child profile booklet' you have created. This booklet contains a wealth of valuable information about children's specific individual needs and what parents feel their children already know and can do. This collaborative working is helping you to gain a better understanding of children's individual learning needs, in order for you to support and challenge children's learning from the outset.

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Outcome of monitoring

Through discussion with the inspector, you demonstrated that you know each child as an individual, what they can do and the areas you are focusing on to build on their skills. This is because you have reviewed how you observe and assess children's progress and now each child has an up-to-date learning journal in place. You explained how you carry out regular observations of children, which you link to the areas of learning and the development bands. You have introduced a progress tracking document, which you now complete every three months to assess children's learning and development. This is helping you to plan activities and identify the progress that children are making, and identify any gaps in their learning. This means that, children's learning and development is promoted.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the childminder has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your childminding service. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the number of children cared for under the age of eight does not exceed the maximum at all times as set out in the requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage 30/06/2014 11/08/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the quality of the information gathered from parents at registration about children's starting points, to support and challenge children's learning and development from the start 30/06/2014 11/08/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the systems to monitor children's development to obtain an accurate assessment of each child's skills, abilities and development, and use these to help them make the best possible progress. 30/06/2014 11/08/2014

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