Childminder in GatesheadOfsted inspection, 4 Nov 2014

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/11/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play, which ensures that all children make good progress.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. She knows the different signs and symptoms of abuse and fully understands her responsibility to protect children and act in their best interest.  The childminder works in partnership with parents. This ensures an effective exchange of information, which promotes consistency and continuity in children's learning.  Children are settled and content with the childminder because she provides a caring and nurturing environment that promotes their emotional well-being effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children's awareness of safety is not always fully promoted to help them understand all aspects of keeping themselves safe, such as fire safety.  Young children's interest in developing their early writing skills is sometimes limited by the narrow range of writing tools available to them.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 viewed the premises, toys and equipment and observed planned activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed specific activities planned by the childminder and accompanied her as she collected children from school.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including children's learning journals and a sample of policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and evidence of the suitability of all adults living at the premises.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2012 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and three children in Gateshead. The whole of the rear, ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog. The childminder attends community groups and activities within the local area. She visits the shops and parks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre- schools. There are currently 13 children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. Children can attend for a variety of sessions. The childminding provision operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 raise further children's understanding about safety, for example, by practising the emergency evacuation procedure with all children to help raise their awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency

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

 extend children's progress in developing their early writing skills even further through the use of large and small scale movements, for example by providing larger sheets of paper, chunky chalks, big brushes or rollers.

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who attend

The childminder currently cares for children after school. Despite children only being in her care for short periods, the childminder knows them very well and is successful in meeting their individual needs. The quality of teaching is good and the childminder monitors children's progress making good use of guidance documents to ensure children are suitably challenged. This helps them to acquire the skills to be ready for the next stage in their learning. She provides a good range of challenging, playful opportunities across all areas of learning and development. She recognises that this is a time for children to relax after a busy day at school and activity planning is very much based around their interests. Planning is adapted if children express a particular interest in something or if they have enjoyed learning something at school.

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who attend

The childminder promotes children's communication and language very well. She values and respects the different languages children speak and supports their learning in these. Consequently, children are becoming confident when speaking in either language. They happily chat about what they have been doing at school and at home and express themselves well. Good provision is made for children's creative development. The childminder initiates and joins in the fun, for example, as some children practice their skills with musical instruments she provides additional instruments so all can join in, skilfully modelling how to use these correctly. She provides a range of resources to promote their literacy skills and supports them as they sound out the letters as they read books. Children have easy access to some suitable writing tools that provide some interest in developing early writing skills. However, younger children have more limited access to resources that

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who attend

vary in size and that can be used both indoors and outdoors, for example, chunky chalks and large brushes and rollers. The childminder supports and encourages children's good physical development, providing many opportunities for energetic play outdoors in the garden and at local parks.

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who attend

The childminder discusses children's progress and achievements with their parents. She shares verbal information with them on a daily basis about what their children have been doing while in her care. Parents are encouraged to share what their children do at home, so the childminder can consider this information when planning her activities to fully extend children's learning. For example, the childminder recently visited children in their own home to discuss their progress and noticed their interest in magnetic letters so she ensures children can now freely access these in her home too.

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

Children have clearly developed close relationships with the childminder, and are happy and settled in her care. The childminder is friendly and attentive to children. This supports children's emotional well-being and results in children who are active and motivated learners. This is evident, as children remain engaged in activities for extended periods. The childminder gathers information about children's individual needs, likes and dislikes and keeps a record of this to refer to. This helps the childminder to make sure children make the move from home to her care with minimum upset. Children play in a child- friendly, safe environment with clean, age-appropriate and well-maintained toys and equipment that effectively support their overall well-being and care. The dining room is set up so children can mostly independently access a wide range of toys and activities. These are stored in well-organised storage boxes and include those, which reflect positive

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

images of difference and diversity. Many of these are labelled with pictures, as well as words to assist children in making even more informed, independent choices.

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

The childminder promotes children's good health and self-care through routines and through regular fresh air and exercise. For example, they go for daily walks and visit the nearby park on their way home from school. This helps children to develop an awareness of the importance of fresh air and exercise. Children learn to manage their own personal hygiene, knowing when to wash their hands. Children have free access to drinks of water to make sure they are hydrated and healthy. The childminder encourages their awareness of healthy eating by talking to them about what foods are good for them and providing them with nutritious, home-cooked meals when they come in from school. The childminder takes good care to ensure she is aware of children's dietary needs. She also shares information with parents on a daily basis about what children have eaten. Overall, children are learning to keep themselves safe. For example, they carefully explain to

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

adults that they need to look and listen for traffic before crossing the road and they know to put their shoes in the basket by the door so they do not trip over them. All necessary fire-safety equipment is in place and is regularly checked. The childminder has devised an evacuation plan to follow in the event of an emergency and is confident that she can follow this through quickly and safely. However, children are not fully aware of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency, because, for example, they have not been involved in practising the fire drill.

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

Children respond well to the childminder's calm and patient manner. She gives them her full attention, which builds their self-esteem and confidence. Children behave well because the childminder is a good role model, treating them with respect. They are polite and friendly and enjoy each other's company. Older children who attend the setting are also good role models and are kind and caring towards their younger peers. Consequently, younger children join in with their play, learn to set the table and engage in their conversations as they eat together.

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provision

The safeguarding and welfare requirements are successfully met and understood. Clear policies and procedures are in place and underpin the childminder's practice. The childminder has a good knowledge of procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care and knows who to contact for additional support and advice. All adults living on the premises have been vetted to check that they are suitable to be in contact with children. This helps to keep children safe. The childminder thoroughly risk assesses her home, activities and outings. Children's attendance, including when they arrive and leave, is recorded and this means ratios are maintained. The childminder has a current first-aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate treatment if there is an accident to a child in her care.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a confident understanding of each child's skills and interests. She successfully monitors activities and children's progress to ensure they continue to make good progress. The childminder is able to highlight the strengths of her provision and how she intends to improve in the future. She is keen to continuously build upon her already good practice and seeks the views of children and their parents to help her with this. The childminder completes additional training, reads childcare publications and conducts research on the internet. For example, she has attended recent training to refresh her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements prior to commencing care of younger children. This demonstrates her commitment to continuously develop the quality of the provision she offers to young children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are positive and these successfully promote the welfare of children. Policies and procedures are shared with parents before children start. Daily, informal discussions and information regarding children's progress, provides parents with relevant information about children's individual care and learning needs. The childminder finds out what children are learning at school and complements this to further promote all children's development.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY449608 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 957031 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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